AB RWC squad
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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.
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@taniwharugby I'd still bet on Ioane playing against SA, and I doubt the coaches are going to change their ideas based on one game. Everything flowed from the effort up front including the performance of the loose forwards.
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@Bovidae said in AB RWC squad:
@taniwharugby I'd still bet on Ioane playing against SA, and I doubt the coaches are going to change their ideas based on one game. Everything flowed from the effort up front including the performance of the loose forwards.
At least notice was served that he needs to up his game to keep his place. Complacency is not what you want at RWC time
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Interesting from stuff article
Hinton: This group's greatest strength is their explosiveness when the tight five delivers the platforms to operate off. With the loose trio's mobility, Aaron Smith's speed of delivery, the twin playmakers, a creative midfield and those brilliant finishers out wide they will put points up in a hurry when the game flows. Their potential Achilles heel comes when the big boys get strangled up front. Then those advantages get negated big time.
Outside of injuries or random red cards, that's my greatest worry. I can see Scott Barrett in at 6 Vs boks
