TRC squad

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="599598" data-time="1469301116">
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I don't see how they can run with the mantra that they are kicking things up a gear from last year and pick Savea who is out of sorts.
 
Barrett off the bench with Smith to Wing gives you plenty of insurance to try new guys on the wing. Lowe should be at the head of the line.
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Worth a show. Savea just might need a break. When you reflect on his career to date he has been pretty impressive. Not only his running but his kick and chase etc has been pretty good. He is still relatively young. 
 
As for Barrett the knock on him has been his ability to move the ball around the park and his tackling. I think he has pretty much destroyed that criticism and I no longer see him as the super sub. Start him.

Bovidae

If Hansen does pick on form then J Savea and Fekitoa won't be anywhere near the AB squad. But AB coaches always justify their selections. :)

leytonandamanda

Dominic bird must be in with a chance! Been impressive 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

African Monkey

Agree with both Lowe and Bird. Lowe is pure class and Bird has improved out of sight since moving to the Chiefs.

cgrant

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="599598" data-time="1469301116">
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I don't see how they can run with the mantra that they are kicking things up a gear from last year and pick Savea who is out of sorts.
 
Barrett off the bench with Smith to Wing gives you plenty of insurance to try new guys on the wing. Lowe should be at the head of the line.
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Barrett off the bench ? I think he has cemented his place in the starting XV.
Too many good locks to choose ! I would go with Whitelock, Retallick, Bird and Tuipolutu. Fifita looks too thin for an international lock but next year, with Vito gone overseas, he might earn the Canes Nr.6 jersey with Shields moving to Nr.8. Fatialofa could be tried for the EOYT IMO.

Crazy Horse

Bird was starting to play well down in Canterbury but those muppets didn't see it.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crazy Horse" data-cid="599631" data-time="1469313752">
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Bird was starting to play well down in Canterbury but those muppets didn't see it.
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I'd say the Maori vs Baabaas game last year was when he really started standing out from the crowd and he's just gone from strength to strength from there. Having a locking partner of BBBR's calibre and a regular starting spot has probably been a huge help, so a very smart move from him.

Chris B.

Bird certainly had a good ITM Cup - nominated for player of the year. But, bizarrely (or not) last year Toddy pretty much refused to pick him and was even preferring Jimmy Tupou when pressed.
 
If the ABs want to pick him ahead of Romano, it certainly wouldn't bother me. Whitelock and Bird as the loosehead locks, Retallick and Tuipolotu as tighthead locks.

Nepia

If certain posters could rule out Lowe on the basis of one game last week, then certainly they'll have him at starting 11 in TRC. 
 
I really can't think the selectors can rule out his claims now, they like to get 80% complete players and iron out their issues and he's perfect for that. Likely not the TRC but he should go on the EOYT for sure.

SammyC

Lowe was great last night, deserves to be there ahead of savea

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="599648" data-time="1469320053">
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If certain posters could rule out Lowe on the basis of one game last week, then certainly they'll have him at starting 11 in TRC. 
 
I really can't think the selectors can rule out his claims now, they like to get 80% complete players and iron out their issues and he's perfect for that. Likely not the TRC but he should go on the EOYT for sure.
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Can I just explore this line of argument? It seems this is said about a lot of players. Fatialofa, Scott Barrett, James Lowe, McKenzie, Ioane x2 etc. How many normally go on the EOYT? Maybe one or two extra. NMS may well be back for the EOYT. NMS, Naholo, Savea, Ben Smith, Dagg and plus maybe Moala and Barrett. That is more than enough cover for the outside backs. If Lowe wants to make the team he has to be better than Naholo or Savea, IMO. If he isn't better now then Savea and Naholo could have great Rugby Championships and then there is no way you could justify picking Lowe.

Stargazer

If the AB selectors have any courage, they'll select Moala ahead of Fekitoa for the TRC. Moala can cover wing. Naholo can cover 12. Not sure about the number of backs they're taking, but if they have to drop one, it should be between J Savea and Fekitoa. I'd definitely pick Moala ahead of Lowe and DMac at this stage.
 
For the EOYT, I hope DMac gets some serious game time, just to see whether he's up to test level footy. If J Savea is still not right, they should drop him by then (if not dropped earlier), and Lowe should be in, although I do wonder whether they'll be looking at Faddes, too. Not sure whether Nanai is already on their radar; probably too soon.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="599660" data-time="1469322600">
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Can I just explore this line of argument? It seems this is said about a lot of players. Fatialofa, Scott Barrett, James Lowe, McKenzie, Ioane x2 etc. How many normally go on the EOYT? Maybe one or two extra. NMS may well be back for the EOYT. NMS, Naholo, Savea, Ben Smith, Dagg and plus maybe Moala and Barrett. That is more than enough cover for the outside backs. If Lowe wants to make the team he has to be better than Naholo or Savea, IMO. If he isn't better now then Savea and Naholo could have great Rugby Championships and then there is no way you could justify picking Lowe.
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Good point. What I'm wondering is whether they can/will use the Maori EOYT as a trial for some of those players and add them to the AB squad while in Europe, depending on their performance for the Maori team? Who of the potential AB picks are eligible to play for the Maori ABs? DMac, Lowe? ...? Or players selected to play for the Baabaas as injury cover? Wouldn't be the first time (think Parsons).

KiwiMurph

Both Ioanes could be in Maori squad again (were last year).

mariner4life

Wait, Naholo can cover 12 now? In a RC test? Really? He's a barely adequate test player in his preferred position

broughie

I think Akira Ioane needs to be in that EOYT. Too much talent that needs to be nurtured in the AB environment. Maori AB's next best.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="599578" data-time="1469297976">
One of the cane locks has to make the ABS. they are really good. can't pick btn the 2</blockquote>
 
There's a fairly long line if locks at the moment. 
Whitelock 
BBBR 
Tuipolutu 
Romano 
Franklin 
Bird 
And given Fifita is a 6 first and foremost is he up with Luatua or much ahead of Seu who have a similar roles. And is he likely to be picked before the other 6s and 8s like JK, Dixon, Squire Luatua. 
Am a fan of Fatialofa but he's at least 7th in line.

KiwiMurph

Id like to see them use the apprenticeship role that Ardie got on the EOYT a few years ago - there's a few candidates that could fit that - Ioane x 2, Fifita etc.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="599677" data-time="1469324933">
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There's a fairly long line if locks at the moment. 
Whitelock 
BBBR 
Tuipolutu 
Romano 
Franklin 
Bird 
And given Fifita is a 6 first and foremost is he up with Luatua or much ahead of Seu who have a similar roles. And is he likely to be picked before the other 6s and 8s like JK, Dixon, Squire Luatua. 
Am a fan of Fatialofa but he's at least 7th in line.
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I would not have Romano on the list, and certainly not ahead of Fatialofa. I haven't seen him play well for years.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599680" data-time="1469325699">
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I would not have Romano on the list, and certainly not ahead of Fatialofa. I haven't seen him play well for years.
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To try to be fair to him, he seems to go OK in the AB environment. He's been terrible for most of the year and worse since the June tests. However, I don't see him not getting selected.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad