Exodus
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@Stargazer I know haha I was taking the piss a bit with that comment but yeah, they were harsh towards Piutau in 2015 not that it really matters now or back in 2015 for that matter.
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@Bones said in Exodus 2019:
Yeah the selectors seem to like him but to most on the outside he doesn't really seem to have pressed his case. Could be a big year for Hemopo and Frizzell. Wonder who the reserve is after them that is already ahead of Akira?
The next 6 replacement on the Highlanders bench.
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@Frank said in Exodus 2019:
@Bones said in Exodus 2019:
Yeah the selectors seem to like him but to most on the outside he doesn't really seem to have pressed his case. Could be a big year for Hemopo and Frizzell. Wonder who the reserve is after them that is already ahead of Akira?
The next 6 replacement on the Highlanders bench.
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I think he’s got the inside track to start at 8 next year, but I can’t see your back row playing at the World Cup.
The only way Ioane starts a big game is if Read is injured or loses form so badly that they drop him altogether.
I can’t even see a place for him on the bench either, as there is no lock cover if both he and Ardie are there. He’s re-signed so I hope he’s patient, and with luck will get some time this year, in development for next year.
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England have Billy Vunipola, Ireland have CJ Stander, France will soon have Jordan Joseph. The number 8 position is changing (in part to reflect defence patterns but also refereeing interpretations). Power is key. Akira has lots of it.
Changing their back row in World Cup year isn't causing England problems.
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@gt12 said in Exodus 2019:
You have much more faith in the selectors than I do. I think he'll be lucky to be selected.
Having said that, I'd certainly be open to us trying Sparky's back row. I just don't think it will happen.
Akira, Mo'unga, Goodhue, Bridge. All guys with little/no game time that opposition really won't have much data available for, yet have been heavily involved in AB squads. Maybe even someone like Jordan too. We know these selectors like to have players like this in a RWC squad and unleash them for the big games.
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@sparky said in Exodus 2019:
Squire no loss. Frizzell and Hemopo already probably better players.
Said it before, will say it again. ABs World Cup back row: 6 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane , 8 Akira Ioane. Impact from the bench Scott Barrett and Ardie Savea.
I'll have some of what you're smoking
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@Stargazer cant wait for all the Luatua-esque outrage...
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@sparky said in Exodus 2019:
Squire no loss. Frizzell and Hemopo already probably better players.
Said it before, will say it again. ABs World Cup back row: 6 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane , 8 Akira Ioane. Impact from the bench Scott Barrett and Ardie Savea.
Not sure how likely that is but it makes more sense to me than Akira at 6. The Italy game showed out the most effective 6 game in the ABs gameplan which was Fifita being a spot tackler with speed off the line. The disruption and potential to create an opposition error was great.
