2019 Rugby Championship

[rotated]

I'm not particularly concerned about figuring out the midfield equation just yet - one of Crotty or SBW will be injured by the time the squad is announced.

[sparky]

31, so

Forwards: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Angus Ta'avao, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Jackson Hemopo, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd and Luke Whitelock.

Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo and Ben Smith.

Snap in the forwards, barring injuries. Rough on Matt Todd and Jackson Hemopo. Keeping an eye on Jordan Taufua, Dalton Papali'i and Pari Pari Parkinson from outside the 41.

Slightly different in the backs. Not sure I would take SBW or Waisake Naholo based on current form. Jordie Barrett and George Bridge edge it. Bryn Hall, Josh Ioane, Stephen Perofeta, Ma'a Nonu, Vince Aso, Ben Lam, Will Jordan and David Havili still potential bolters if there are injuries.

[Crucial]

You're only as good as your last test. Therefore Fifita may get in over Frizell.

Fifita had a good game against Italy, showing that he can bring the goods on defence and bending the line. IIRC Frizell's last outing was a fizzer.

[Chris B.]

@sparky said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Slightly different in the backs. Not sure I would take SBW or Waisake Naholo based on current form. Jordie Barrett and George Bridge edge it.

Jordie is a good player whose time will come, but if everyone is fit and firing, I'll be surprised if he makes it - he only goes if Ben Smith is going primarily as a wing. Otherwise, I think he's the third choice fullback who can play a few other positions at a pinch. So, the ball is in the court of Naholo and Bridge to show they're good enough to be our wings. Bridge should ask to play some games on the right wing.

I tend to think rotated will be right and an injury will dictate which of our four midfielders misses out. But, if it doesn't I reckon Laumape will most likely be the unlucky one. Hansen loves experience, so I'm doubtful that he'd want to pair Laumape and Goodhue in the midfield - and I think Jack is our centre.

Interesting question will be if we have two midfield injuries - is it Proctor, Thomson....or Nonu?

[MN5]

@Crucial said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

You're only as good as your last test. Therefore Fifita may get in over Frizell.

Fifita had a good game against Italy, showing that he can bring the goods on defence and bending the line. IIRC Frizell's last outing was a fizzer.

Plus Hansen is on record saying Fifita is one of the best athletes he’s ever seen.

Despite looking very much like the ‘before’ shot in a Jenny Craig ad Hansen sure knows his athletes.

[KiwiMurph]

@Crucial said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

You're only as good as your last test. Therefore Fifita may get in over Frizell.

Fifita had a good game against Italy, showing that he can bring the goods on defence and bending the line. IIRC Frizell's last outing was a fizzer.

Frizell's last test outing was against Boks in South Africa. Just a tad different from playing Italy.

[Nepia]

@antipodean said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@mariner4life said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@antipodean said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

But his form ever is nothing to get excited about.

fixed that. The very definition of a "solid" player. yawn

But this season he isn't even that. The one thing going for him was supposed to be his dependency in defence.

And not give away stupid game losing penalties like apparently that other bloke would do.

[taniwharugby]

@Canes4life BB was not the best player on the planet that 2nd year he won POTY, most on here were surprised at his nomination, let alone winning it.

[Stargazer]

Rugby Championship Match Schedule Confirmed

[Hooroo]

@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Rugby Championship Match Schedule Confirmed

Cheers

So 2 home tests for 2019. Is that the lowest ever in the Pro era?

[Stargazer]

@Hooroo There's also the match against Tonga on 7 September.

[sparky]

@Stargazer

Amazed there isn't a warm-up test against someone like USA or Samoa on 12th July for players not involved in the Super Rugby Final.

[Stargazer]

@sparky This is a SANZAAR announcement, so only concerns the RC (and Bledisloe 2). That doesn't exclude the possibility that NZR will announce more matches before the RWC. I'd expect either the Maori ABs or NZ Barbarians to be involved somehow, like in 2015.

[sparky]

SBW undergoing knee surgery again, out for six weeks minimum. He has pulled out of the ABs Foundation Day.

[Stargazer]

[KiwiMurph]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12222330&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nzh_tw

[Yeetyaah]

@KiwiMurph Fuck.

[taniwharugby]

Poor buggar!

Gutting for him, players dont always come back from this the same.

[nzzp]

@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Ah shit.

What a dynamic player - and such a 'nothing' injury too - just a glancing blow.

Really disappointed in that

[Rapido]

Gutted for DMac.