AB squad for the Rugby Championship

[Bovidae]

You can only assume what the players are doing in training is also taken into consideration. Still can't justify Fifita's inclusion.

[akan004]

After Argentina, I thought we would never see Fifita in black again. Losing confidence in Shag and co very quickly. You never want to see an AB get injured but I might just have to make an exception for Fifita.

[Hooroo]

Surprised and stoked for Jacobson.

[canefan]

Still willing to trust in Shag, we seem to be holding back and this is consistent with our lead up in 2015. The team is not as good as the 2015 version though, time will tell

[Crazy Horse]

@akan004 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

After Argentina, I thought we would never see Fifita in black again. Losing confidence in Shag and co very quickly. You never want to see an AB get injured but I might just have to make an exception for Fifita.

I said it last season, but the frustration around AB game plans and selections reminds me of the Chiefs when Fozzie was running the show. Wonder if he is having a lot more influence now Smith has jumped ship.

[Machpants]

Dear Fafita

[Bovidae]

The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.

[Stargazer]

Good to see that they keep Ioane in the environment as an apprentice. I never expected him to make the RWC squad, but it's good that they keep developing him for the worst case 10 scenario.

[Bovidae]

@Crazy-Horse I'd point the finger at Hansen and Cron for the continued selection of Fifita.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.

Or he is still struggling with his health.

[gt12]

There you go, I can’t pick my nose.

Quite stoked that they want to see more of Jacobson. I feel a bit for Paps though, he’s been hardly used.

They also clearly haven’t made up their minds about the outside backs either.

[MN5]

@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

@Crazy-Horse I'd point the finger at Hansen and Cron for the continued selection of Fifita.

So annoying when you know he's capable of this sorta stuff.

Is it part of "keeping the powder dry" to do absolutely fuck all until the WC ? if so it's a great plan.

[akan004]

They gave Paps 3 minutes to prove his worth in Wellington and he still impressed more in that 3 minutes than Fifita has in both games.

[Duluth]

@gt12 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

I feel a bit for Paps though, he’s been hardly used.

Yup. The Retallick injury really screwed him over against SA

As soon as Fafita subbed on, Papali'i was never going to get more than a couple of minutes

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.

Or he is still struggling with his health.

Quite possible. They haven't been forthcoming about his illness or current health. But as I said, Tu'inukuafe will need to play as it's been months since he last did. He seems to be a player that needs regular time on the field to remain in top form.

[mofitzy_]

To me you keep Todd on ice as we already have 2 world class opensides in the squad. Don't see the point in picking a 3rd openside who isn't versatile. Would rather see Papalii or Frizzell - though hopefully they pick Hemopo at 6.

Fifitas selection is a real head scratcher though.

[Crazy Horse]

@MN5 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

@Crazy-Horse I'd point the finger at Hansen and Cron for the continued selection of Fifita.

So annoying when you know he's capable of this sorta stuff.

Is it part of "keeping the powder dry" to do absolutely fuck all until the WC ? if so it's a great plan.

He's one of those players you would have no faith in to dig deep and scrap when the shit hits the fan. Not a quality I want at the World Cup.

[Stargazer]

@mofitzy_ said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

To me you keep Todd on ice as we already have 2 world class opensides in the squad. Don't see the point in picking a 3rd openside who isn't versatile. Would rather see Papalii or Frizzell - though hopefully they pick Hemopo at 6.

Fifitas selection is a real head scratcher though.

If they intend to play Ardie at 8 in pool games, keeping Todd in the squad is IMO the right decision. Nobody else but Read and Ardie play 8 well enough at test level, esp with Squire out of the picture. None of the other loosies (not including Cane and Ardie) are better than Todd at 7 (they're possibly not even good enough at 7 at test level, full-stop). It's a no-brainer to keep Todd at this stage.

[Nepia]

Last year I was shaking my head at Frizell's selection, this year I'm shaking my head at his non selection.

I like Jacobson though, and Papali'i - wouldn't have minded if they'd kept either of them.

[canefan]

@MN5 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

@Crazy-Horse I'd point the finger at Hansen and Cron for the continued selection of Fifita.

So annoying when you know he's capable of this sorta stuff.

Is it part of "keeping the powder dry" to do absolutely fuck all until the WC ? if so it's a great plan.

His talent is tantalizing. Here's hoping Shag knows something we don't