AB EOYT 2018

[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.

[taniwharugby]

@crucial id say the fringe players they might take will still be available for finals, many will barely play.

As a bolter lock in a squad like this, I reckon Josh Goodhue will be on thier radar.

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:

As a bolter lock in a squad like this, I reckon Josh Goodhue will be on thier radar.

I'd say Strange and Lousi are ahead of him.

@gt12 If they use some Japan-based players then Franklin and Dixon are also options.

[Tim]

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Inside knowledge?

[nzzp]

@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

If they gut the finals sides for the ABs, I'll be less than impressed. It will reinforce that this competition is worthless as a comp, and only exists as a feeder for Super.

[Bovidae]

@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

But hasn't any Super rugby pedigree yet.

Would they pick players who have yet to perform at the next level?

[nzzp]

@bovidae said in AB EOYT 2018:

@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

But hasn't any Super rugby pedigree yet.

Would they pick players who have yet to perform at the next level?

the last I remember is R H McCaw

If you're good enough...

[KiwiMurph]

Hansen was fairly clear that the 51 players are for the week after the 3rd Bledisloe by which time Mitre 10 Cup finals will be over so the comp should not be affected at all.