ITM Cup Stocks up and down
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@chris-b said in ITM Cup Stocks up and down:
Yeah - although it might keep the scorners at bay to speculate as to who the ABs might take away as an apprentice on the EOYT - if they take one.
Jordan would have as good a chance as any
With DMac and JB still very young I doubt they'll be taking another fullback.
I did read that Hansen is keen to take a squad of the same size as for a RWC, so that means only 31 players. More likely players miss out than extras are included.
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@bovidae unless the news is talking crap, looks like they may have changed their wise minds
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I think they'll mainly watch the guys who were omitted from the squad and/or were sent to play M10 Cup with 'work-ons' or needed game time after injury, such as Fifita, Akira, NMS, Weber, Asafo Aumua.
But if they're looking at genuine newbies, they may look at players in positions in which they need more depth. Maybe Makalio; Lomax; Gibson, Evans; Bridge, Alaimalo, Lam (only one of those 3 to be picked). I seriously doubt they're already looking at Jordan, who'll be well behind particularly Bridge and Alaimalo, but if they do, I'll throw in Flanders and Fakatava.
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I'd say they will be looking closely at the likes of Gibson, Papali'i (although does he play 7?) or maybe Hunt? Cupboard bare after them...
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@stargazer said in ITM Cup Stocks up and down:
I think they'll mainly watch the guys who were omitted from the squad and/or were sent to play M10 Cup with 'work-ons' or needed game time after injury, such as Fifita, Akira, NMS, Weber, Asafo Aumua.
But if they're looking at genuine newbies, they may look at players in positions in which they need more depth. Maybe Makalio; Lomax; Gibson, Evans; Bridge, Alaimalo, Lam (only one of those 3 to be picked). I seriously doubt they're already looking at Jordan, who'll be well behind particularly Bridge and Alaimalo, but if they do, I'll throw in Flanders and Fakatava.
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Papali'i has played one or two games on the openside for the NZ U20 during last year's WC. I would say that his size (1.90 m, 105 kg - Aucklandrugby website) is limiting his future to the 7 jersey. He does not seem big enough for an international blindside loose forward IMO.
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@taniwharugby Papalii's played a fair bit of 7 in the past, including a couple of games with the Blues this year. I thought he outplayed Todd and Hooper when he was at 7 this year.
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I'd be surprised if they are interested in players who haven't yet made an impression in SR. It's a big step up from M10. Aumua is probably a one-off based more on his performance at U20 level.
No.8 isn't exactly a position of depth so I'd like Akira to be looked at (again). Papali'i, as mentioned, as a 6/7. @cgrant Papali'i was the starting 7 in the playoff games for the NZ U20s.
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@bones said in ITM Cup Stocks up and down:
@stargazer said in ITM Cup Stocks up and down:
I think they'll mainly watch the guys who were omitted from the squad and/or were sent to play M10 Cup with 'work-ons' or needed game time after injury, such as Fifita, Akira, NMS, Weber, Asafo Aumua.
But if they're looking at genuine newbies, they may look at players in positions in which they need more depth. Maybe Makalio; Lomax; Gibson, Evans; Bridge, Alaimalo, Lam (only one of those 3 to be picked). I seriously doubt they're already looking at Jordan, who'll be well behind particularly Bridge and Alaimalo, but if they do, I'll throw in Flanders and Fakatava.
New Maori Jesus I'd say.
