AB RWC squad
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@Chris-B said in AB RWC squad:
@mariner4life said in AB RWC squad:
@Bovidae said in AB RWC squad:
i would rather have 3 halfbacks and 3 10s. 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs.
But if you look a our top 23 we have actually taken 3 x9, 1 x 10, 3 fullbacks, and 3 wingers (two of those fullbacks are able to play wing too). That seems a little unbalanced.
I feel like we took 2 of the same player in JBarrett and BFA. That is a luxury selection in a limited squad.
My thoughts exactly.
And I'd rather have Ben Smith playing fullback or wing ahead of Jordie, so I'm wondering quite what the point of JB is?
He's there in case we want to provide the opposition with a free try without looking like it was set up by the bookies
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As mentioned earlier Jordie is the third choice goalkicker and given the investment in him gets the nod over Ioane.
I do wonder what would’ve happened if DMac were fit.
One scenario is that they both DMac and Jordie stay and it becomes a hard question with Bender or Bridge misses out.
I do think that playing at pace is the priority and that is why the Mo’unga and B. Barrett combo is preferred. Both have pace. DMac as a starter/bench option gave that pace too.
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@mariner4life said in AB RWC squad:
We are in a bit of a flap about our 3rd 10 being a rookie when our starter still has his test match training wheels on.
I am shocked that JBarrett is an option. In my eyes the main hole in his game is he often looks rushed when he is trying to do things, because he lacks the "time" that really good players have. He gets charged down a fair bit too. That's not ideal for a test match 10.
Ryan Crotty is a solid player with a good footy head on his shoulders. And he plays next to a 10. But that does not a 10 make.
I think the selectors are pretty much hoping we stay injury free in that spot (whereas in the midfield and the outside backs we're overloaded. An injury might be a blessing)
I've said it before on this thread, but when you only take two 10s, and one of those 10s is also your starting fullback, that's an enormous risk. That's why i can see the value in Matt Todd as a "3rd" openside, because both the 2 guys in front of him are starting players.
This time they are not "expecting the unexpected". They are hoping the unexpected stays the f*ck away from a crucial position.
Despite a 16 year continuation of the coaching team, a key learning from 12 and 8 years ago is being ignored.
Oh well, too late now.
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@Bovidae said in AB RWC squad:
@mariner4life Would you rather have only 2 1st 5s, or 2 halfbacks in your squad? I'd say the latter is more of a risk because they have their hands on the ball more often, and that is what Cheika has done.
There is an article today quoting Fox and Hansen about enlarging the squad to 32 or 33 players (2 in each position plus an extra 2 and 9). While teams still might not follow that model it does allow greater flexibility.
The extra fat in the squad are the:
- 3 and half full back options
- and 5 wing options
- and 4 lock options
4 locks I'm good with, as Retallick is that vital to carry. Jordie is the head scratcher for me. I don't think he;'s shit, I just don't see the need.
3 halfbacks would be insane. As a founding member of the 'Only 3 first-fives is mad club' - I can only point and laugh at the 2 half backs squads and be happy that we aren't that dumb.
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@Rapido said in AB RWC squad:
Despite a 16 year continuation of the coaching team, a key learning from 12 and 8 years ago is being ignored
is that learning "rotate early to build depth, then late in the piece stick with selections to solidify combinations?"
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I do wonder if Reece and Bridge playing so well in Bledisloe 2 made them re-think their squad a bit to try and squeeze both in; I really thought it would be one or the other there.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC squad:
We could see something like:
Game 1 Springboks
10. R. Mo’unga 15. B. Barrett 23. J. BarrettI'm willing to put a chocolate fish that it's..
- Barrett 15 Smith/J.Barrett with Mo'unga on the bench first up.
I've got the feeling that the dual playmakers thing has been Plan A for a while but they will happily keep it up their sleeve if they can against the Boks. If the game is tight heading into the final 20 (which it almost surely will be) then Richie comes off the bench.
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@rotated Still keeping powder dry?
Dunno - I think that game is too important to do anything except roll out the A-team.
What will also be interesting is how far they stick with the old guard - which could be 11. Rieko; 12. SBW; 13. Crotty; 14. Smith
OR as wild and green as 10. Mo'unga; 11. Bridge; 12. ALB; 13. Goodhue; 14. Reece; 15. Beauden.
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@Chris-B said in AB RWC squad:
Dunno - I think that game is too important to do anything except roll out the A-team.
If the game does become important they will put Mo'unga on and have the A-team. This was almost the norm last year.
I suspect the selectors, like many NZ fans, are weary about the NH prospects and wouldn't half expect to see SA again.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC squad:
As mentioned earlier Jordie is the third choice goalkicker and given the investment in him gets the nod over Ioane.
investment yes, goalkicker no. Ioane is a solid goalkicker, and plays 10.
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For me Reece is the one who should have dropped out for Ioane. Unless they are planning on playing two “power” wingers (aka non full back types) then he is surplus given he only plays wing. As much as people dislike Jordie, he does cover multiple positions and kick goals at a high enough standard for the minnows and italy. We need that for the squad in order to give the frontline guys a rest.
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@pukunui said in AB RWC squad:
For me Reece is the one who should have dropped out for Ioane. Unless they are planning on playing two “power” wingers (aka non full back types) then he is surplus given he only plays wing. As much as people dislike Jordie, he does cover multiple positions and kick goals at a high enough standard for the minnows and italy. We need that for the squad in order to give the frontline guys a rest.
Considering the way Bridge and Reece played in the final Bled test I am happy they are both going. They made themselves a legitimate chance of pushing into the starting team, and as long as our rivals believe it too they will need to dedicate valuable time and effort into scouting them
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@canefan said in AB RWC squad:
@pukunui said in AB RWC squad:
For me Reece is the one who should have dropped out for Ioane. Unless they are planning on playing two “power” wingers (aka non full back types) then he is surplus given he only plays wing. As much as people dislike Jordie, he does cover multiple positions and kick goals at a high enough standard for the minnows and italy. We need that for the squad in order to give the frontline guys a rest.
Considering the way Bridge and Reece played in the final Bled test I am happy they are both going. They made themselves a legitimate chance of pushing into the starting team, and as long as our rivals believe it too they will need to dedicate valuable time and effort into scouting them
Yeah fair enough. IMO they weren’t that outstanding and had a much better platform to launch off because the forwards didn’t play like pussies.
Don’t think taking both of them is worth the risk of potentially having to play a large chunk of a quarter or semi with no recognised 10 though. -
@pukunui said in AB RWC squad:
@canefan said in AB RWC squad:
@pukunui said in AB RWC squad:
For me Reece is the one who should have dropped out for Ioane. Unless they are planning on playing two “power” wingers (aka non full back types) then he is surplus given he only plays wing. As much as people dislike Jordie, he does cover multiple positions and kick goals at a high enough standard for the minnows and italy. We need that for the squad in order to give the frontline guys a rest.
Considering the way Bridge and Reece played in the final Bled test I am happy they are both going. They made themselves a legitimate chance of pushing into the starting team, and as long as our rivals believe it too they will need to dedicate valuable time and effort into scouting them
Yeah fair enough. IMO they weren’t that outstanding and had a much better platform to launch off because the forwards didn’t play like pussies.
Don’t think taking both of them is worth the risk of potentially having to play a large chunk of a quarter or semi with no recognised 10 though.Their attack was good, but I was more impressed by their general workrate on defence. They had a major hand in a number of turnovers and were busy all over the park and it was very noticeable. Reece looked more composed in black than I have ever seen him, in the past I thought he looked a little hesitant
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@Bovidae said in AB RWC squad:
Both Bridge and Reece often ended up on their opposite wing so they went looking for work. I'm sure Ioane has been given the same message.
If he watched the game closely he should have got the message loud and clear
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@Bovidae although easier for them if the guys up front are doing thier jobs too, giving them the freedom to roam.
I expect if Rieko and BFA had played in that test they woulda cut capers too, but they didnt, and now the new kids on the block are the bright and shiny things.
