Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play
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My attempt at a 31 man RWC squad and makeup. With in the right columns a player either very unlucky (e.g. Laumape) or close to the likely 3rd choice (e.g. Coltman v Harris etc) or no stand out 3rd choice and perhaps a future looking coaching cartel who weren't retiring en-masse after the tournament might pick a youngster if no outstanding 3rd choice (E.g. Aumua or TTT).
Jumping the gun posting this yet, as after the weekend will know so much more. But I'm not going to let go waste my little excel doc I create from myself to muddle through my preferred split .....
I've gone a 14/17 split.
I don't have Fifita even in my second column. I also don't have Squire or L Whitelock, but 6 is still the gaping hole 2 years on from when the gaping hole opened. I actually have 3 and 1/2 opensides as the 6s are just so un-compelling. I'm open to replacing Todd if Frizell takes his chance, or maybe even with safe Luke. Soft-power value of Todd's recent Japanese experience is swaying me a bit.
I don't have an unlucky 4th first-five (very thin here).
I also don't have Reece in my squad, maybe he should be in the second column of the unluckies, but I rate Ennor very highly anyway. I also would have doubts if he is even in the country in 4 years time to build on any experience he might gain from going as a non-starter- so would be a potential waste of a spot IMO.
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@Rapido said in Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play:
Just realised I forgot entirely about Jacobson. Who actually gives me wood. But giving time to Jacobson takes time away from papali'i. Better to make a choice and stick with it at this late stage
It depends where you need more cover IMO. They both cover all three, but Jacobson is the better 7 and Papali'i is the better 6
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@Rapido said in Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play:
Just realised I forgot entirely about Jacobson. Who actually gives me wood. But giving time to Jacobson takes time away from papali'i. Better to make a choice and stick with it at this late stage
Awesome, but I wonder if he has the conditioning to last a tournament. He's young... amazingballs, but young
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@Duluth said in Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play:
It depends where you need more cover IMO. They both cover all three, but Jacobson is the better 7 and Papali'i is the better 6
You reckon? In the NZ U20s Jacobson was at 6 and Papalii at 7. Papalii was the no.7 for St Kents too.
Blindside flanker has always been Jacobson's main position followed by no.8.
I think both players have a big role to play in the ABs in the years to come but it might end up being a RWC cycle too early. I hope I'm wrong.
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@Rapido I'd include Havili as one of the unlucky ones. Had a great SR season and IMO should have been picked instead of J Barrett.
And I can't imagine them taking Harris, who isn't even in the 41-squad.
I don't think they'll take 3 first five-eights, unless they like BB at fullback so much that he gets Dmac label as a player who's picked to play both 10 and 15. Josh Ioane, I don't even think he's an "unlucky one". He's more of a "lucky one" if he gets picked.
Jacobson v Papali'i is defintely an intresting one!
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@Bovidae said in Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play:
You reckon? In the NZ U20s Jacobson was at 6 and Papalii at 7. Papalii was the no.7 for St Kents too.
Papali'i has grown since then and Jacobson is relatively small for a Test match blindside. Jacobson is better over the ball.
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I would absolutely take 3 10s, and so by default that is Josh Ioane who will be barely above uncapped at that stage. The offset is taking a 5th midfielder or a 5th outside back which just aren't required .
Ambition is just to play v the 2 minnows in our pool and for him to pray for BB and RM health.
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@Duluth I understand what you are saying but I would consider both to be typical of the modern-day hybrid loose forward.
Outside of the top XV, I would prefer loose forwards, and outside backs for that matter, with some utility value in my RWC squad so one of them would be a better option than a specialist who can't cover as many positions.
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@Rapido said in Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play:
I would absolutely take 3 10s, and so by default that is Josh Ioane who will be barely above uncapped at that stage.
I think they may be contemplating using TJP and JB as 3rd options at 1st 5. TJP has played there in one of those game of three halves. I'm not saying he starts in any of the pool games but could be used as the reserve against Namibia, for example. They could rotate BB and RM in the other pool matches.
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@Bovidae said in Countdown to RWC 2019 - ABs state of the play:
I understand what you are saying but I would consider both to be typical of the modern-day hybrid loose forward.
Sure, thats the reason they are both in the reckoning - they can play all 3 positions.
They don't have the same strengths though. Papali'i is the size and shape of a blindside, but his workrate means he can cover 7 at a pinch.
Jacobson is smaller but more of a genuine allrounder.If it is a shoot out between them (I have a feeling they both miss out..) the deciding factor might be how well each flank is covered by other players.
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@Bovidae I dunno he seems like he isn't keen. I don't think they'll drop someone out completely to pick a guy that hasn't been involved this year. Not saying he isn't a great player. But it feels like he put himself out of contention for his own reasons.
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@Yeetyaah I thought it was because Squire didn't think his body was up to the rigours of test rugby after playing so little super rugby. We're obviously not privy to his discussions with Hansen as to whether Squire has completely ruled himself out.
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