AB squad for the Rugby Championship
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Will Jordan's ability to accelerate while carrying the ball in two hands (as Ben Smith used to do) is special and could really test organised defences at RWC.
I suspect Jordie Barrett will make the cut for now, not least for his goalkicking.
Tim Perry makes sense for the 5th prop who can play both sides and if they are looking at him, the I suspect they have concerns about Karl T.
Shag rates SBW as the best athlete he has worked with and will pick him for RWC if at all fit.
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@KiwiMurph Yeah - Todd is a bit vulnerable, as is Fifita - but, Hansen appears to like both and Todd especially has played a lot of good tests for the ABs, where Dalton and Luke have minimal minutes.
My cuts would leave:
- Frizell, Fifita
- Cane, Todd
- Read, Savea
Lock/blindside - Hemopo
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@sparky I think if they were looking at Will Jordan he would have made the 39. But, if he stays fit I think he'll be there next year - he is very gifted.
I don't think Tim Perry can play both sides. I don't recall him ever playing tighthead - even for Ta$man.
Yeah - I still think Laumape will be the unlucky one, but if you listen to Hansen's comments on SBW he's started hedging his bets a bit. I don't think SBW is a mortal lock anymore - but, I'm sure they'll count all of SBW, ALB, Goodhue and Laumape as part of their 34.
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@Chris-B said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Yeah - I still think Laumape will be the unlucky one, but if you listen to Hansen's comments on SBW he's started hedging his bets a bit. I don't think SBW is a mortal lock anymore - but, I'm sure they'll count all of SBW, ALB, Goodhue and Laumape as part of their 34.
Yeah, he wasn’t altogether that positive about it, but sending him to MTC doesn’t sound like an action you’d take unless he has a spot. It could and should be that they’ll evaluate who of Crotty and SBW is playing better (I.e., not injured) and take that person alongside the other three.
On the sixes - well, I honestly don’t know. I’ll try to do a rewatch today to see Frizell and Fifita’s impact. From what I saw, we’d be better finishing with Read, Ardie, and Cane. It’s tempting to start them, but I still think we need more size early though, as I don’t love our line out losing one jumping option. If that goes to pot early, we’d lose a lot of the extra workload benefit from not being able to secure set piece ball.
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@gt12 I think (when not injured) Crotty has been pretty much a first choice midfielder for the past three years. He's only once come off the bench and played the big tests. So the selectors know pretty much exactly where his form is - which is a fair bit different to SBW. In my view, if all five are fit it will come down to a choice between Laumape and SBW and I think Sonny will win that. But, I think the only guy who can really confidently buy some yen travellers cheques at present is probably Goodhue - though ALB can probably at least check out where the bank is.
Edit: I'll be interested to see the details of Frizell's game if you get around to it.
@Stargazer Technically I don't think Crotty (or Scott Barrett) are part of the 34 - but, he's definitely a part of the midfield equation.
@Bovidae @Wurzel Crikey! Even though Tim Perry is a good Mako man, I think I'll be happier if he's playing for them!
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@Chris-B said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@SammyC That surprises me, because Tim's not that old and played in six tests last year - I'd have thought he'd be absolutely raring to go.
I bet he'd have been thrilled to break his arm five minutes into the season!
Apparently he loves drinking!
Wanted to retire, go back to farm work and enjoy a few drinks. Doesn't really want to be a professional rugby player. Hansen called him up and suggested otherwise.
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So the cull is announced tomorrow, I wonder if at the traditional stupid o'clock in the morning?
We lost a whole point against the boks in the world rankings with the draw, so boks jumped England into fourth. And a loss against Oz means Wales number 1. Which we probably won't get back even if we then beat them at Eden park afterwards
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@Tim said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Any chance Nathan Harris will come back in? Neither of Aumua or Coltman have thrown competently.
Coltman is so frustrating, he's great around the field, but couldn't hit a bull's ass with a barn shovel when he is throwing to the line out.
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@gt12 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Any chance Nathan Harris will come back in? Neither of Aumua or Coltman have thrown competently.
Coltman is so frustrating, he's great around the field, but couldn't hit a bull's ass with a barn shovel when he is throwing to the line out.
What irritates me about that is it's an easy thing to fix. A mate of mine that studied in Dunedin told me he watched Anton practice throwing on a basketball court and every throw of the rugby ball got nothing but net. This during a time when our lineout was pants. There's no excuse for not being able to throw accurately and consistently.
