AB EOYT 2018
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@hooroo said in AB EOYT 2018:
If it comes down to the ref then we only have ourselves to blame. In my mind the ref is no excuse for a loss
Nope, no excuse, but it's like playing away - some refs make winning harder. Before the Lions I had concerns about a bizarre call from one of the Froggies, and so it turned out. Likewise, I'd be stoked if the refs weren't pivotal, but if we get through those two tests without a controversial call, I'll be delighted.
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@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:
@no-quarter that one was the previous test wasnt it, and Garces was the 'we have a deal' over the off side penalty call at the end of the game, or have I got them wrong way round?
Poite reffed the third test and was the one that made nonsensical deals to avoid having to make a big call. Garces gave the penalty for jumping into the tackle at the end of test 2.
Either way they are much of a muchness. Crazy we had two of the most inconsistent refs in world rugby for tests 2 and 3.
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@no-quarter wasnt Poite's TMO Garces?
Yeah those 2 refs are not the best.
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Refs shmefs. Won’t matter. We’ll cane the Paddies by 20.
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@bones said in AB EOYT 2018:
I see Jordan is getting a lot of support - he's always struck me as a bit flaky previously (like McNicholl) and I'm surprised to see him being promoted ahead of Ennor. But I've watched fuck all NPC.
You won't have seen much of him, then.
Paul Cully is on the Jordan bandwagon.
I'd be a bit surprised if he makes the Japan squad, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility.
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@rapido said in AB EOYT 2018:
Remember when we all laughed at Woodward's giant Lions squad of 2005?
Aren't we still?
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@chris-b said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones said in AB EOYT 2018:
I see Jordan is getting a lot of support - he's always struck me as a bit flaky previously (like McNicholl) and I'm surprised to see him being promoted ahead of Ennor. But I've watched fuck all NPC.
You won't have seen much of him, then.
Paul Cully is on the Jordan bandwagon.
I'd be a bit surprised if he makes the Japan squad, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility.
Yeah sure, but I thought Ennor was impressive. Hasn't kicked on?
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@bones Haven't watched much of him in the NPC.
He went OK in Super rugby, but it didn't remotely cross my mind that he was ready to step up to the ABs.
Bridge and Mataele were the ones who were more impressive for the Crusaders - but, what I've seen of Mataele in NPC - he's been pretty awful.
I would pick Bridge ahead of all of them.
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Ennor has been very good this year. Got a few opportunities in Super rugby and played well and has continued to up his game. Not sure if he’s an AB, but given some of the names being thrown around....
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@chris-b said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones Haven't watched much of him in the NPC.
He went OK in Super rugby, but it didn't remotely cross my mind that he was ready to step up to the ABs.
Bridge and Mataele were the ones who were more impressive for the Crusaders - but, what I've seen of Mataele in NPC - he's been pretty awful.
I would pick Bridge ahead of all of them.
Mataele has been struggling with injuries right from the start of the season, so he hasn't really had regular game time. It's no surprise that he hasn't impressed much. "Awful" is an exaggeration IMO.
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@act-crusader said in AB EOYT 2018:
Ennor has been very good this year. Got a few opportunities in Super rugby and played well and has continued to up his game. Not sure if he’s an AB, but given some of the names being thrown around....
Yeah that was my thinking.
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@machpants said in AB EOYT 2018:
Cheers for that, "... between 18, 19 players..." So 18 and a half players.
18 players and a halfback
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Using the RC squad as a starting point, they originally named 33 players.
Hookers
Dane Coles
Nathan Harris
Codie TaylorProps
Owen Franks
Joe Moody
Tim Perry
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Ofa TuungafasiLocks
Scott Barrett
Brodie Retallick
Samuel WhitelockLoose Forwards
Sam Cane --> Dillon Hunt
Shannon Frizell
Jackson Hemopo
Kieran Read
Ardie Savea
Liam Squire
Luke WhitelockHalfbacks
TJ Perenara
Aaron Smith
Te Toiroa TahuriorangiFirst five-eighths
Beauden Barrett
Damian McKenzie
Richie Mo'ungaMidfielders
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill WilliamsOutside backs
Jordie Barrett
Rieko Ioane
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Waisake Naholo
Ben SmithSo one player has to miss out, probably Hemopo. There might be a temptation to find a place for Tuipulotu so there are 4 locks. That would have to be at the expense of a loose forward (Frizell or L Whitelock) or an outside back (NMS).