AB bolters thread

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="574639" data-time="1461550958">
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Probably, Kronfeld is way down on even my fluffing list.
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I rate him hugely he just suffers cos his career was bookended by Jones and McCaw.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="574640" data-time="1461551068">
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I rate him hugely he just suffers cos his career was bookended by Jones and McCaw.
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Same, I just wouldn't go out of my way to fluff him - he didn't even play senior rugby for the Magpies ;).

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="574642" data-time="1461551275">
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Same, I just wouldn't go out of my way to fluff him - he didn't even play senior rugby for the Magpies ;).
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That's cos he wanted to try Speights instead of being stuck with Tui.....

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="573876" data-time="1461238536">Cgrant isn't Robinson Crusoe on Buckman. I reckon he's got something. Just because he looks a little weird shouldn't count him out.</blockquote>
 
I am a big fan, I thought the Landers badly missed Buckman the last two games. Definitely has the similar brain and skills to Crotty and Ngatai, if he comes back the same as before injury I reckon he will be an All Black in the future capable of covering 11-14.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="574647" data-time="1461552078">
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I am a big fan, I thought the Landers badly missed Buckman the last two games. Definitely has the similar brain and skills to Crotty and Ngatai, if he comes back the same as before injury I reckon he will be an All Black in the future capable of covering 11-14.
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Haven't seen much of him on account of not watching Super Rugby like I used to but what does he offer ? I agree with others that he looks a bit funny, facial hair is certainly not a strength....

taniwharugby

he is quick enough, he can play in the mid-field, good defender, great over the ball, low error rate, cool nickname...probably never get a chance, but if he did, he wouldnt let you down.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="574644" data-time="1461551765">
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That's cos he wanted to try Speights instead of being stuck with Tui.....
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That's the equivalence of wanting to be punched in the left eye rather than the right eye.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="574653" data-time="1461553401">
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That's the equivalence of wanting to be punched in the left eye rather than the right eye.
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That is a superb analogy.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574650" data-time="1461552731">he is quick enough, he can play in the mid-field, good defender, great over the ball, low error rate, cool nickname...probably never get a chance, but if he did, he wouldnt let you down.</blockquote>
 
Think that is about right but I would say he's a chance. Probably 5-6 guys get a crack every year in the midfield. To quote Shag "Richard Buckman who is out injured but will be back later in the season, he can play multiple positions and was outstanding last year. ".

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574650" data-time="1461552731">
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he is quick enough, he can play in the mid-field, good defender, great over the ball, low error rate, cool nickname...probably never get a chance, but if he did, he wouldnt let you down.
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It's hardly "Beer Bottle" "Beaver" or "Krusher" standard but admittedly a shitload better than "Reado" "Bender" "Franksy" etc.

sparky

How many are players are going to be in the squad for the Wales Series. If they are picking 31 (same as the RWC) I'd currently go with:
 
Squad
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Fauminia, Owen Franks, Reggie Goodes, Joe Moody
Hookers: Dane Coles, Hika Elliott, Codie Taylor, 
Lock: Brodie Retallick, Patirck Tuipolotu, Sam Whitelock, 
Back Row: Sam Cane, Elliot Dixon, Jerome Kaino, Steven Lautua, Kieron Read (c), Ardie Savea, 
Half Back: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenera
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Charlie Ngatai,
Back Three: Israel Dagg, Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith
 
So my new ABs would be: Reggie Goodes, Elliot Dixon, Ardie Savea and Damian McKenzie

leytonandamanda

Normally have a wider training squad of about 40 players. I will add fatialofa or Scott Barrett to make the squads snitch been excellent plus also tuungafasi and taufua 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bobily

The problem that Reg Goodes will have is that the selectors will probably want a prop who can play both sides of the scrum. Which doesn't leave an abundance of options, really (Tu'ungafasi or Graham are probably the main ones). Either that or have Faumuina covering loosehead and bring another tighthead in (Toomaga-Allen?).

bobily

Also, in 2012 the squad for the three tests against Ireland included 30 players, so I'd expect to see roughly the same number this time around.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="576344" data-time="1462167736">
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How many are players are going to be in the squad for the Wales Series. If they are picking 31 (same as the RWC) 
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I hope they pick a few more than 31.
 
It's sort of interesting in the front row that we've got clearly the four outstanding props - and then the next anointed two Laulala (TH) and Manu (LH) have been invalided out. Then we're into speculative territory. At loosehead I'm interested to see how Kane Hames shapes up, because last year he smashed plenty of pretenders for the Mako$ - as did Tim Perry. Goodes is a contender, probably Graham, and I think Brendon Edmonds would have been as well - even Alex Hodgman in the longer run should be a part of the conversation.
 
Tighthead the pickings are much slimmer. Not really anyone who appeals greatly, but JTM is probably the best of a bad bunch. I've seen a few people pumping Tu'ungafasi, but I don't rate him (he got smashed by Hames) and I don't see anyone much beyond him.
 
Hooker - well, Hika should be number three, but there's been serial reports that he rates highly on the cock-meter and it depends on what allowances Hansen is prepared to make for the fact that he comes from Hawkes Bay.
 
Locks - the three listed by Sparky along with Romano the key contenders - with Barrett, Bird and perhaps Fatialofa (whom I haven't paid any attention to) also possibly in the mix as loosehead props.
 
Lots of blindside flankers in contention to join Kaino - Dixon, Luatua, Taufua. Opensides will be Cane and one of Todd or Savea. Despite the cheap drums beating in Wellington - and when was the last time someone in Wellington knew anything about footy? - at the last waypoint Todd was still ahead of Savea.
 
I hope they pick three halfbacks and two should be Smith and TKB. Then a choice between Perenara and Weber, with Drummond worth a brief mention in the conversation.
 
First fives as listed, midfielders as listed with Tamanivalu maybe in the conversation with Moala - but three might be enough given SBW is in the background.
 
Back three depends on who they're willing to play on the wing. I don't mind the five chosen provided they're prepared to consider both BenfA and McKenzie as wings - given NMS is in the background.

Winger

Reggie Googes
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="576369" data-time="1462171326">
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The problem that Reg Goodes will have is that the selectors will probably want a prop who can play both sides of the scrum. Which doesn't leave an abundance of options, really (Tu'ungafasi or Graham are probably the main ones). Either that or have Faumuina covering loosehead and bring another tighthead in (Toomaga-Allen?).
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He could also cover wing

kiwiinmelb

Read somewhere Naholo played club rugby on the weekend , scored a hat trick and is on track to play super rugby again

Winger

The Canes are in the unusual position where its the forwards the selectors will be looking closely at not the backs (Perenara Barrett and Savea they knwo well enough by now). But a lot will depend of course how the pack goes over the next few weeks but if they keep up their current form then
 
Both props and both locks will be considered esp if there are a few injuries. JTA seems to have stepped up big time and Goodes has continued his slow upward progression. The big surprise for me is Fatialofa. I rate him higher than both Broadhurst and Thrush. How he never got a full super rugby contract is beyond me. 23yrs 199 & 116 and a high aggressive work rate. He seems to have it all. Fifita I though would be very good but he doesn't look out of place at lock so could be a good lock/ 6 8 cover. Savea I think must be almost a dead cert. But I have been surprised before by selections.

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="576378" data-time="1462173273">
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Read somewhere Naholo played club rugby on the weekend , scored a hat trick and is on track to play super rugby again 
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 :good1:

Frank

I think Naholo is a certainty simply because of his upside and Hansen clearly liked him enough to take him (still injured) to the World Cup.
I think Ardie Savea will be selected for much the same reason (upside greater than Todd), and him being taken as an apprentice a few years back shows Hansen rates him.
Tuipolotu will also be in.

The Silver Fern

AB bolters thread