2019 Rugby World Cup
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Superstar? Come again?
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@mariner4life said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Superstar? Come again?
He's in Ballers, starring alongside Dwayne Johnson. That's pretty up there in terms of stardom.
As an aside, I wonder how many other Dwayne Johnson's are dotted around Wainui/Upper Hutt?
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@Machpants said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Priorities
Apparently the World Cup Committee hasn't been to Japan. It's not going to be an issue.
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@antipodean Better safe than sorry!
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If Shag decides to roll the dice and go with a few "bolters" at the WC, the choice at 10 is firming up somewhat. I think Black is slowly playing himself out of contention, whereas Ioane is playing himself into contention. Questionmarks still remain over Mitch Hunt's ability to control a game for 80, but seemingly not at the death when there are points on offer. An interesting conundrum.
The more I see of Ioane the more I like him, and his ability / confidence seems to be sharpening with every game. Here I disagree with Mauger. Shag, take a punt (literally) and include both Ioane's in the squad. Neither one will disappoint. -
@Jailbreak7 said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
If Shag decides to roll the dice and go with a few "bolters" at the WC, the choice at 10 is firming up somewhat. I think Black is slowly playing himself out of contention, whereas Ioane is playing himself into contention. Questionmarks still remain over Mitch Hunt's ability to control a game for 80, but seemingly not at the death when there are points on offer. An interesting conundrum.
The more I see of Ioane the more I like him, and his ability / confidence seems to be sharpening with every game. Here I disagree with Mauger. Shag, take a punt (literally) and include both Ioane's in the squad. Neither one will disappoint.I like Ioane's partnership with AS as well. Knows when to let him direct the play and creates a different version of the two playmaker thing.
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Much more interesting episode of The Breakdown tonight. Especially because they had Sir Ted on. A few things he said:
They need to take three 9s and three 10s.
Josh Ioane looks the best of the young 10s, but he also liked the look of Fletcher Smith in the NPC. We need to remember 2011, when Aaron Cruden started the final as a 21 year old - still in nappies. Beauden and Richie are both superb first fives.
He thought Wales were superb in the 6N - thinks this is the best Welsh team in 50 years.
Ireland will be very tough, defend well and very well coached.
England tough as well - should be the best in the world (subtle dig at Eddie?).
South Africa has got better - great for rugby.
Along with the ABs, the winner should come from those five teams.
Had a few general comments about how the NH teams will play differently to us. Won't put it through the hands as much. Strong at set piece. Kick more and kick very well.
Thinks Shag will have around 21 players already inked in and they'll have been watching the others and for bolters. Thinks they'll probably pick a squad of 40 for the Championship and play-off say 20 contenders against one another - choose the best 10.
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@Chris-B Great to hear what Ted had say.......
He is wrong on a couple of details.
- The great Wales team of 1971 were the best in the world and better than the current lot.
2 Ted 's 2011 RWC squad only had two first-fives initially. Cruden and then Donald came in after injuries:
- The great Wales team of 1971 were the best in the world and better than the current lot.
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Maybe it’s just me...but what ted says seems pretty obvious, no?
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@sparky said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
2 Ted 's 2011 RWC squad only had two first-fives initially. Cruden and then Donald came in after injuries:
Which is probably why Ted knows that they do actually need three 10s. When in the same situation 8 years ago (the third choice 10 not worthy of selection compared to the e.g. 7th best loose forward etc) that this was a actually hopeless cop-out strategy as they immediately needed to replace the injured 10 from out of the squad, ASAP. Donald would have been in on the Monday after the quarter-final etc, if they knew where he actually was.
Donald was an un-used sub (the only un-used sub) in the 2011 semi. Was that because Ted co thought he was a bit meh? Or because he was so far behind in the homework as he was from outside the squad? And Cruden was needing all the prep-time coaching attention in the leadup to the semi as he was also catching up having been brought in from outside the squad ....
Even though they actually had Weepu as a 3rd choice back in 2011 , People on this thread have been suggesting Crotty for 3rd choice in 2019 ..... imagine that ...
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One of the greatest mistakes the military makes is training to win the previous war. That's what Ted looks like he's doing: "I needed four five-eighths, so you should definitely take three"
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@antipodean said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
One of the greatest mistakes the military makes is training to win the previous war. That's what Ted looks like he's doing: "I needed four five-eighths, so you should definitely take three"
Ironically if the ABs survived Cardiff in 2007 they would have needed to replace Carter and Evans who were done for the tournament. So learning from 2007 would have been useful.
Given the tournament was in NZ and the wealth of talent in the midfield and outside backs was so strong taking two first-fives was the appropriate gamble in 2011. Jimmy Cowan completely going off the boil complicated matters as they couldn't even think of moving Weepu to 10.
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@Rocky-Rockbottom Saying goodbye to England early again would almost be as satisfying as winning the WC.
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@Canes4life No not really Stephen Jones may top himself then we would lose that great journalism then I would have to find some other fluffybunny to hate
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@Canes4life said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@Rocky-Rockbottom Saying goodbye to England early again would almost be as satisfying as winning the WC.