AB EOYT 2018
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Filling the All Blacks' openside void
A loose forward crop that was once the envy of international rugby teams the world over now looks abnormally thin with veteran All Blacks openside Sam Cane going down with a neck fracture.
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gonna be an interesting mix.
51 is a huge squad, so plenty of fringe players gonna get a shot (probably more to be immersed in the tour side of things rather than all getting game time) will give a look at what they are looking at beyond 2019 too I think.
How would it even look?
Props 7
Hookers 4
Locks 7
Loosies 10
Forwards - 28Halfbacks 4
1st 5 4
MId-field 8
Wings 4
FB 3
Backs - 23 -
@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:
Sounds like the Japan game will be used as a trial for fringe players.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12138902
That's quite an interesting read, and it's by Rattue.
51 does seem overkill, without giving it much more than a passing thought.
I'm not precious about handing out the Jersey like some are, seemingly forgetting (or too young to know about) mid_week games from tears gone past.
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@rapido ha I read the headline only, glad I didnt give Twattue a click
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After the initial assignment against Australia in Yokohama late this month, the main squad of 32 will be split with about 10 remaining to play Japan in Tokyo where they will be joined by a reserve force of 19.
So 32 for Europe. 22 of them getting there a week early.
10 remain in Japan a week. Presumably they all play? Joined by 19. So 29.
23 in a matchday squad. So possibly 6 might not play at all (or some of the 'proper' 10 might just be injury cover).
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@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:
@rapido ha I read the headline only, glad I didnt give Twattue a click
It's an interesting read about the fringe ABs who played Japan last time in 2013.
Feel safe to click and reward a grown up article. A carrot .....
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@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:
@rapido ha I read the headline only, glad I didnt give Twattue a click
You hate him as much as I hate Veitch.
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Bold move, the dead rubber Bledisloe is usually Australia's strongest game of the year..
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51 players? How are they all going to fit into business class?
Obviously by splitting up the squad. 
Hansen has talked about using games as a dry run for the RWC so wouldn't the 2 tests in Japan be a perfect opportunity to do just that. The first game against a tier 1 opponent (Aust), or SA at the RWC, followed by a game against a weaker team (Japan, Repechage Winner at the RWC) to allow rotation of the squad.
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It looks more like a clever way to get a bunch of fringe players into camp to ensure training requirements (contested scrums/lineouts/moves/defence).
As pointed out above 13 of the matchday 23 will be non regulars.
This will be fun guessing the who's who and who's even available.We will likely finally see Akira play, quite possibly even starting.
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@crucial It would be quite funny if someone like Reed Prinsep got picked instead.
Any chance of Dalton Papali'i getting a call up as we virtually have no 7s available or am I just sounding biased towards an Auckland player? Lets be honest here he's gonna be an AB sooner rather than later
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@african-monkey said in AB EOYT 2018:
@crucial It would be quite funny if someone like Reed Prinsep got picked instead.
Fucking hilarious ...
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So 29 that currently aren't in the squad. Guesses?
May be easier to start by guessing the 10 not going straight to their nice room at the Lensbury
I'm guessing a Front Row from the likes of Ofa, Angus, Harris. Patrick T and possibly BBBR if he needs a warmup game.
Loosies are an issue with Cane injured as it cuts down the options to have experience in the mix if Read goes to London.
Two of the halfbacks will have to stay in Japan surely? TJP (dark horse captain) and TTT
I'm guessing RM at 10, the youngsters at 12/13 and DMac at 15So starting XV of
Angus
Harris
Ofa
Pat T
? (BBBR?)
?
?
?
TJP
RM
?
ALB
Goodhue
?
DMacSo the big places up for grabs for a starting jersey are in the loose forwards and/or lock (Fifita?) along with a couple of wings.
FABGB is an option on one wing and Havili is a good bench option.
NMS could possibly drop from main squad to the Japan only group and take a spot.When does Todd become available again?
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@bovidae said in AB EOYT 2018:
@crucial
Ta'avao is only a TH unless you are suggesting Ofa play at LH.Would they select Laulala in an enlarged squad after only one M10 Cup game?
Yeah. I guess one of Moody/Karl plays in Japan with Angus in the squad as a benchy
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