TRC squad
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@stargazer said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
This is the squad for the 2018 Rugby Championship:
yaaaawwwwnnnn
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Squad
Hookers
Dane Coles (31, Hurricanes / Wellington, 56)
Nathan Harris (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 13)
Codie Taylor (27, Crusaders / Canterbury, 32)Props
Owen Franks (30, Crusaders / Canterbury, 98)
Joe Moody (29, Crusaders /Canterbury, 34)
Tim Perry (30, Crusaders / Ta$man, uncapped)
Karl Tu'inukuafe (25, Chiefs / North Harbour, 3)
Ofa Tuungafasi (26, Blues / Auckland, 17)Locks
Scott Barrett (24, Crusaders / Taranaki, 19)
Brodie Retallick (27, Chiefs / Hawke's Bay, 68)
Samuel Whitelock (29, Crusaders / Canterbury, 99)Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 55)
Shannon Frizell (24, Highlanders / Ta$man, 1)
Jackson Hemopo (24, Highlanders / Manawatu, 1)
Kieran Read (32, Crusaders / Counties Manukau, 109) - Captain
Ardie Savea (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 25)
Liam Squire (27, Highlanders / Ta$man, 17)
Luke Whitelock (27, Highlanders / Canterbury, 5)Backs:
Halfbacks
TJ Perenara (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 45)
Aaron Smith (29, Highlanders / Manawatu, 74)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (23, Chiefs / Taranaki, uncapped)First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (27, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 65)
Damian McKenzie (23, Chiefs / Waikato, 15)
Richie Mo'unga (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 1)Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (29, Crusaders / Canterbury, 37)
Jack Goodhue (23, Crusaders / Northland, 1)
Anton Lienert-Brown (23, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)
Sonny Bill Williams (33, Blues / Counties Manukau, 46)Outside backs
Jordie Barrett (21, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 5)
Rieko Ioane (21, Blues / Auckland, 16)
Nehe Milner-Skudder (27, Hurricanes / Manawatu, 11)
Waisake Naholo (27, Highlanders /Taranaki, 19)
Ben Smith (32, Highlanders /Otago, 67) -
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@ploughboy said in TRC squad:
props are going to be interesting .ofa seems to be only one to play both sides with a 3 loosehead 2 tighthead mix
To me that seems the right mix and good thinking to have at least one that can play both sides in the case of an emergency and not having to bring in a further player into the squad
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Ardie Savea’s played 25 tests? When?
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@act-crusader
yeah but if ofa or franks go down late we have a loosehead specialist playing tight head.a 2 and 2 split plus ofa covers as better plus its what they have done in the past -
@act-crusader said in TRC squad:
Ardie Savea’s played 25 tests? When?
This happens when you get a permanent spot on the bench for 2 seasons.
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@kiwimurph said in TRC squad:
@act-crusader said in TRC squad:
Ardie Savea’s played 25 tests? When?
This happens when you get a permanent spot on the bench for 2 seasons.
That's where his hair follicles have taken root to enable his constant growth to giant height.
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Hansen said the immediate goal was to "recapture the Bledisloe Cup."
"After the Rugby World Cup, this is the most important trophy we play for. We lost to Australia the last time we played them, so no doubt they'll have a lot of self-confidence and are worthy of starting as favourites." :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_smiling_eyes: -
@mariner4life said in TRC squad:
NMS is a shocker.
to be fair, right wing and the loose forwards are very ordinary
I hear Shannon Frizell was out doing promotions for adidas giving away his game boots from the super rugby season. To the surprise of the kiddies most of the boots were unmarked and clean as if they had never been worn on the field
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@act-crusader said in TRC squad:
@ploughboy said in TRC squad:
props are going to be interesting .ofa seems to be only one to play both sides with a 3 loosehead 2 tighthead mix
To me that seems the right mix and good thinking to have at least one that can play both sides in the case of an emergency and not having to bring in a further player into the squad
I think it's an unbalanced mix - previously they had Franks and JTA, with Tu'ungafasi able to play both sides (though more a tighthead). Now we've got three looseheads and one tighthead - plus Ofa. I was expecting JTA instead of Tim Perry.
I'm a bit disappointed to see Harris in ahead of Coltman - not because I think Coltman is any sort of wonder player, just that I've not been impressed with Harris.
Not surprised to see Fifita miss out, nor to see Hemepo replace him. Hemepo went very well when he got his chance in the third test and is doubtless a better lock option than Fifita - and we've gone in a bit light at lock. Looks like Romano's AB career is coming to an end - especially due to "balance".
I guess they've made the hard call in midfield to go with only four - mitigated for Laumape a little bit by being there as cover for SBW. It's a sensible call in terms of balance, but I reckon NMS is a bit lucky that they didn't sacrifice him. It means we probably won't have a real midfield power option for the two Bledisloes if you assume Crotty and ALB starting and Goodhue on the bench.
Bryn Hall perhaps a bit unlucky - though I didn't think he had his best game in the Final.
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@chris-b Ofa has been tight head bench cover for the ABs for a while now.
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@act-crusader said in TRC squad:
@chris-b Ofa has been tight head bench cover for the ABs for a while now.
and, let's not forget, done it pretty bloody well
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@act-crusader said in TRC squad:
@chris-b Ofa has been tight head bench cover for the ABs for a while now.
Yeah - I know. But, he's also the only one among the five who can credibly play on both sides. If Franks gets injured 15 minutes before the game starts, who's the bench tighthead - Tim Perry?
