AB EOYT 2018

[mariner4life]

Bold move, the dead rubber Bledisloe is usually Australia's strongest game of the year..

[Bovidae]

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.

[Crucial]

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.

[African Monkey]

@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

[booboo]

@african-monkey said in AB EOYT 2018:

@crucial It would be quite funny if someone like Reed Prinsep got picked instead.

Fucking hilarious ...

[Crucial]

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 15

So starting XV of

Angus
Harris
Ofa
Pat T
? (BBBR?)
?
?
?
TJP
RM
?
ALB
Goodhue
?
DMac

So 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?

[Frank]

51 players.
Unlucky Akira, you were the 52nd.
Honest mate.

[Bovidae]

@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?

[Crucial]

Just caught up with other news and I guess that the 29 will include a bunch of known players returning from injury such as Laulala and Coles

[Crucial]

@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

[Crucial]

There must be some NPC coaches out there sweating on their finals plans.

[Crucial]

Some random names to throw into the mix

Faddes
Koroi
Rayasi
Nabura
Hunt

I assume that ACTC will nominate the complete Canterbury NPC side.

[Crucial]

@rocky-rockbottom said in AB EOYT 2018:

@frank said in AB EOYT 2018:

51 players.
Unlucky Akira, you were the 52nd.
Honest mate.

If he winds up having a Hika Elliot-type AB career then I am calling goddamn Interpol so they can start criminal proceedings.

Don't worry, he could be another Monkley and end up with having a medal named after him.

[Crucial]

On another EOYT matter, just had a look at tickets for Rome and there are still plenty available.
If airfares and accom aren't too pricy this could be a weekender.

[Bovidae]

@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:

Some random names to throw into the mix

Faddes
Koroi
Rayasi
Nabura
Hunt

The other players involved in the French XV game last year would be a good starting point for the extras:

Toomaga-Allen
Moli (injured)
Aumua
Bird (overseas)
Hunt
A Ioane
Drummond (could be Weber or Hall)
Tamanivalu (going overseas)
Duffie
Havili

A good chance to look at Alaimalo and Bridge.

[gt12]

So, the magic number is 51, apparently.

No idea, but here is a start to a list:

Forwards:

Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Asafo Aumua/Andrew Makalio/Ricky Riccitelli
Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Tim Perry, + Bolter? (???)
Owen Franks, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao, JTA
Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano/ or Bolter? (???)
Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Vaea Fifita
Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Gareth Evans/ Dillon Hunt (Matt Todd for Japan only?)
Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock, Akira Ioane

Backs:
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber, Bryn Hall
Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, + Bolter? (Black, Perofeta, Hunt)
Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Rob Thompson/Matt Proctor/Bolter? (Faddes/???)
Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Alaimalo/George Bridge/Ben Lam
Smith, Jordie Barrett, David Havili/Bolter? (Will Jordan)

[Rapido]

Remember when we all laughed at Woodward's giant Lions squad of 2005?

[Tim]

The form hookers are Makalio and Abel. Are either good enough to tour?

[ACT Crusader]

@frank said in AB EOYT 2018:

51 players.
Unlucky Akira, you were the 52nd.
Honest mate.

53rd. The 7th choice blindside at the Highlanders will be 52nd.

[ACT Crusader]

@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:

Some random names to throw into the mix

Faddes
Koroi
Rayasi
Nabura
Hunt

I assume that ACTC will nominate the complete Canterbury NPC side.

It’s a 51 man squad even I’ll struggle to find that many Saders/Cantabs. A couple of token Canes and Chiefs to fill the gaps.