AB RWC squad
-
If you take a 3rd ten who do you drop?
Basically an outside back. Which one then?
There is always risk with only 31 players. One of the things I like about RWC TBH
-
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
If you take a 3rd ten who do you drop?
Basically an outside back. Which one then?
Reece
-
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I’m happy for Todd too.
Whether you support his selection or not always happy for a guy who didn’t throw a sook and head overseas at the first obstacle
And the same for Crotty. I'm not his biggest fan but he was one of the last players culled for 2015.
-
What to make of the intrigue around Squire? He looked out of the frame a couple of weeks ago, but then appeared to come back into it. All the media commentary suggested he had put his hand up to be included. But now they pass him over. Do they really think Jacobsen is the better option or does it suggest a lack of confidence in where his head is at?
Everyone is saying Franks is a big call, but he's looked over-the-hill for a while now and but for his scrummaging (admittedly a big positive) he wasn't adding a lot. But then are the other candidates a significant step-back in scrummaging ability given what they add around the field?
None of the rest is really surprising. I don't think Ben Smith was ever going to get dropped. Unlike Franks, he's still a big contributor, at least in terms of leadership and experience - plus you wonder whether the hamstring issue was affecting his performance in the early part of the international season.
Unlike some others, I don't think the lack of a third choice specialist first five is a big deal. Crotty or Jordie could play that role against the minnows
-
@Billy-Tell BFA. But his leadership skills, experience and utility value mean he is worth it even if no longer first-choice.
Or Jordie but they see him as a game-breaker off the bench.
-
@Bovidae said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I’m happy for Todd too.
Whether you support his selection or not always happy for a guy who didn’t throw a sook and head overseas at the first obstacle
And the same for Crotty. I'm not his biggest fan but he was one of the last players culled for 2015.
I’m happy with Crotty. Great squad man, a heap of experience which is important at the RWC, and if injury strikes at the last minute he will slot in more seamlessly than any of the other options.
-
Pretty happy with that squad overall. Glad they didn't pick Squire. Was hoping that BBBR would be fit for the opening game but that would have been asking for too much. Just hope he can recover in time for the 1/4s That's the only major worry at this stage. The non selection of Franks makes sense. If they had picked him over Moli, they would have had four props capable of playing tighthead and only two at loosehead (Angus is not a realistic option), with only one of them being a specialist. Moli gives that extra loosehead option but needs to improve his scrummaging imo.
-
@Duluth said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
If you take a 3rd ten who do you drop?
Basically an outside back. Which one then?
Reece
Five midfielders none of which can play wing is the issue, whereas in 2011 all except Smith had been used at test level.
-
@rotated said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Duluth said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
If you take a 3rd ten who do you drop?
Basically an outside back. Which one then?
Reece
Five midfielders none of which can play wing is the issue, whereas in 2011 all except Smith had been used at test level.
Pretty sure SBW has played on the wing for the ABs. Just saying.
-
-
-
@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Hansen also saying if they want a big forward pack they can move Scott Barrett to 6.
fuuuuuck
-
@No-Quarter said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Bovidae said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I’m happy for Todd too.
Whether you support his selection or not always happy for a guy who didn’t throw a sook and head overseas at the first obstacle
And the same for Crotty. I'm not his biggest fan but he was one of the last players culled for 2015.
I’m happy with Crotty. Great squad man, a heap of experience
His experience rehabbing from injuries will be useful for BBBR.
which is important at the RWC,
This will be his first RWC.
and if injury strikes at the last minute he will slot in more seamlessly than any of the other options.
He will be the injury that strikes.
-
@MrDenmore said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Unlike some others, I don't think the lack of a third choice specialist first five is a big deal. Crotty or Jordie could play that role against the minnows
The problem will be if we lose one of Richie or Beauden in the final pool match.
We'd presumably have to call up Josh Ioane to sit on the bench having zero minutes of test experience.
-
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@rotated said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Duluth said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
If you take a 3rd ten who do you drop?
Basically an outside back. Which one then?
Reece
Five midfielders none of which can play wing is the issue, whereas in 2011 all except Smith had been used at test level.
Pretty sure SBW has played on the wing for the ABs. Just saying.
In a RWC QF no less, but obviously wouldn't be considered as cover at this stage. Just strange to have no midfielders than can cover wing, or fullbacks/second-fives that can cover first-five. Basically the inverse of 2007 where we had coverage four or five deep for every position.
-
@MrDenmore Most squads for the RWC will have three specialist tens in case of injury and to manage game time.
The squad is the same as the one I suggested 11 days ago. Not unhappy at all with the (slight) risk Hansen and co have taken.
-
@Billy-Tell said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Pretty sure SBW has played on the wing for the ABs. Just saying.
ALB has played on the wing too.
-
No happy or bad feelings either way with that selection. Aside from I hope we don't have to play JB at 10 and if we do and he stuffs up I suggest a lifetime ban for @No-Quarter because at this point he's basically willed it into action.
Only slightly surprised by Jacobson's inclusion - I'm a big fan and happy he's there but not sure he's better than Papali'i and I assumed they'd go for the lock/6 cover with Hemopo.
Somewhere Redbeard's bottom lip is shaking as he fends of shedding a tear for Owen's omission.
Also so much for the Smith and Ioane are gone crowd.
Did they name replacements on standby? I assume Laumape will just set up in some hotel in Japan for the duration as one of SBW or Crotty (or both) isn't going to last.
-
