AB squad for the Rugby Championship
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@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.
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@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
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@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.
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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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@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.
Our other pool games are against Canada, Namibia and Italy. We could play Fifita at 8 and it wouldn't matter.
Secondly - I guess we'll never know as they've never given them a go....
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@Higgins said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Here is a left field suggestion. Maybe Frizell has been left out because the three selectors have decided he is a certainty for the World Cup and they are playing off the remaining two No 6s to see which will be his back up?
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@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 good enough to play at 7 at test level. It's a no-brainer to keep Todd at this stage.
I get the point that 7 is the most specialised position in the back row but if he isn't starting then he isn't a versatile bench pick. Maybe they want to ensure Cane and Ardie are as fresh as possible.
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@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
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@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
He's taken himself off the table - non rugby related issues seems to be the challenge.
Plus, how do you get fitness back into him with only 2 months left. WOuld be a challenge even if he came right straight away
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@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.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ Who says Todd won't start in pool games (if Ardie is starting at 8 ) and Read gets a rest?
He almost certainly will. You could easily play Jacobson or Papalii at 7 in the tier 2 pool games though.
