AB bolters thread
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="576687" data-time="1462292237"><p>
Quarter, semi & final of the WC Vito was the cover on the bench<br><br>
That may have had a lot to do with the lack of punch Romano offered & had Tuipuloto been around he would have been used as he is a real impact sub, but they got a really good roll on not having a specialist on the bench.</p></blockquote>
Given the top 2 locks were so critical to how we play and the fact they were probably 2 of our top 4 players, I think the intention was to play them for 80 (like Richie) barring injury or a blow out. Both have huge motors as well and last year often played 80 for their super sides. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="576741" data-time="1462319504">
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<p>Given the top 2 locks were so critical to how we play and the fact they were probably 2 of our top 4 players, I think the intention was to play them for 80 (like Richie) barring injury or a blow out. Both have huge motors as well and last year often played 80 for their super sides.</p>
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<p>Great WC final(s) strategy, but I'd hope that the coaches have some plans to develop other players, and will try to take the 1st minute injury out of play for the Wales tests and RC. I'm picking Pat or another hybrid on the bench.</p> -
<p>The RWC we were pretty lucky, almost a perfect run on injuries...think of all the angst of fans over the Slade/Sopoaga/DC selection, Naholos selection, think there was a couple of others too, but at the end of the day, they were lucky to be able to use the core of their squad and run them 80 as well when needed.</p>
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<p>No chance Todd ever starts at 6 for the ABs. One of Todd or Savea will be in the squad as backup to Cane but you need some size at 6 and 8. Tuipolotu offers you impact off the bench which is exactly what numbers 16-23 should provide. The loose forward mix in the 23 will be interesting because we don't have a player like McCaw anymore who could play all 3 positions, allowing Hansen to plck a specialist no.7 on the bench. Hansen is still looking for that elusive lock/6 to give you that flexibility.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="576834" data-time="1462337507">
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<p>No chance Todd ever starts at 6 for the ABs. One of Todd or Savea will be in the squad as backup to Cane but you need some size at 6 and 8. Tuipolotu offers you impact off the bench which is exactly what numbers 16-23 should provide. The loose forward mix in the 23 will be interesting because we don't have a player like McCaw anymore who could play all 3 positions, allowing Hansen to plck a specialist no.7 on the bench. <strong>Hansen is still looking for that elusive lock/6 to give you that flexibility.</strong></p>
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<p>That's where I think Fatialofa would be a perfect fit.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="576809" data-time="1462332825">
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<p>Great WC final(s) strategy, but I'd hope that the coaches have some plans to develop other players, and will try to take the 1st minute injury out of play for the Wales tests and RC. I'm picking Pat or another hybrid on the bench.</p>
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<p>I'm all for a genuine lock on the bench throughout the course of a series or RC. I'm a fan of what Tuipoluto showed as an impact player from the bench. He may get a couple of starts this year although our starters aren't that old, are world class and probably the premier locking combination in world rugby.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="576834" data-time="1462337507">
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<p><strong>No chance Todd ever starts at 6 for the ABs</strong>. One of Todd or Savea will be in the squad as backup to Cane but you need some size at 6 and 8. Tuipolotu offers you impact off the bench which is exactly what numbers 16-23 should provide. The loose forward mix in the 23 will be interesting because we don't have a player like McCaw anymore who could play all 3 positions, allowing Hansen to plck a specialist no.7 on the bench. Hansen is still looking for that elusive lock/6 to give you that flexibility.</p>
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<p>Has someone said that? Wow!</p>
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<p>What I could see is Cane moving to 6 in the last quarter and one of Todd or Savea coming on.</p> -
Stop talking about Todd. Hes not in the same class as Savea and Cane.
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<p>Todd, Savea, Cane, Todd, Savea, Cane, Todd, Savea, Cane....</p>
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<p>3 very good options, 1 is a clear front runner, the other 2 are both playing very well.</p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="576888" data-time="1462345351">
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<p>Stop talking about Todd. Hes not in the same class as Savea and Cane.</p>
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<p>Ah. The poster who thinks his opinions hold more weight...</p>
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<p>All opinions are subjective. But if Todd misses out on the squad, and Cane and Savea are there, well you will be right I suppose.</p> -
<p>The more I think about this squad, the less I think there will be too many surprises. If I look at the loose forwards we have Read, Cane and Kaino the definites. Luatua will be there to back up lock, Vito should be there and then you have Savea (although Todd would also do a good job). No real room for Blade Thompson, Dixon or even Akira Ioane even if he was available. I feel the same way about the likes of James Lowe - it's hard to squeeze them in even if they are playing up to standard.</p>
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<p>4th lock, last prop, last hooker, last midfield or outside back are probably the main debates. There could be surprises elsewhere but I'm not expecting them.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="576938" data-time="1462354559">
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<p>Ah. The poster who thinks his opinions hold more weight...</p>
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<p>All opinions are subjective. But if Todd misses out on the squad, and Cane and Savea are there, well you will be right I suppose.</p>
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<p>I think they will pick Savea , </p>
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<p>But if Cane was to go down with injury now and miss the June tests , who would start , Todd or Savea ? I might be wrong but I think Todd would </p> -
Yeah for me Todd is a bit like Sopoaga. Either he starts or he is not in the 23. But I would start him ahead of Savea if cane was unavailable.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="576944" data-time="1462355808">
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<p>The more I think about this squad, the less I think there will be too many surprises. If I look at the loose forwards we have Read, Cane and Kaino the definites. Luatua will be there to back up lock, <strong>Vito should be there</strong> and then you have Savea (although Todd would also do a good job). No real room for Blade Thompson, Dixon or even Akira Ioane even if he was available. I feel the same way about the likes of James Lowe - it's hard to squeeze them in even if they are playing up to standard.</p>
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<p>4th lock, last prop, last hooker, last midfield or outside back are probably the main debates. There could be surprises elsewhere but I'm not expecting them.</p>
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<p>Vito is gone. Absolutely no point picking him when there are players in the wings ready to be tested.</p>
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<p>And I think they will go for an enlarged squad (ie 35 maybe). With positions up for grabs and multiple candidates, why not get as many as possible in camp to get a good look up close.</p> -
<p>Hansen has already said the squad is limited to 32 (36 for the EOYT I think). They might be allowed to invite a few more along informally.</p>
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<p>I agree that Vito is a waste of a pick.</p> -
<p>Shame about Vito , </p>
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<p>Been watching him a bit more recently , cant help but feel with him leaving we never quite got to see the best of him . </p>
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<p>Right now he is in his prime and I believe he would make a very good test number 8 , </p>
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<p>The problems with depth sometimes. </p> -
<p>Id like to see Elliot Dixon in there somewhere. He offers the perfect mix of hardness/mobility for a blindside flanker and I remember thinking after the Canes lost the final last year that he was by far the best player on the pitch. He has been immense for the Landers recently and I believe he deserves a shot. I would have him way ahead of guys like Taufua. Infact id have a guy like B Thomson before Taufua. He just seems to be too small for an International no 6.</p>
