AB RWC Squad

[ARHS]

I would prefer Weber Finau Faingaanuku and Ennor to Christie Blackadder Clarke and Havili. But let's see what they all do in the next week or so. The rest I think are all settled.

[frugby]

@ARHS I think Weber has been told he is 5th in the pecking order. The vibe I get is that once the WC squad is named he is out of here, I don't think he is going to play the whole NPC.

[Chris]

I think @frugby has nailed the squad that is the same squad they will select imo.

Props (6): Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell

Hookers (3): Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Dane Coles

Locks (4): Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Tupou Vaa'i

Loose Forwards (6): Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder

Halfbacks (3): Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie

First Fives (2): Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie

Midfielders (4): Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili

Outside Backs (5): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa

[ploughboy]

wouldnt be surpised if they dont pick blackadder as hid injury record this year has been poor. his last comeback lasted 4 miniutes.

[george33]

@frugby Patrick Tuipolotu will b included

[george33]

@Chris Fletcher Newell don't think so

[Chris]

@george33

I think he will,Newell will be in the 23 for this next test.

[ploughboy]

question will be who would replace frizzel if he was injured. do they give finau a run in dunedin and see if he can perform at this level or is barrett there next choice . i would think who is there next choice will influence the makeup of locks and loose forwards.
my guess they see barrett as backup 6 against the top teams so they could take finau as a lock/6 for against minnows or pick lord and use vaii as a 6 for minnows

[antipodean]

@frugby It will be a crime if Blackadder and Havili go. I also think Lord must surely be in the squad.

[george33]

@Chris Newell if fit? Ahead of who ,he's not a bench player has to start

[Chris]

@george33

Ryan mentioned this week Newell was ready to go for this week he will be on the plane.

[george33]

@Chris ok but ahead of who ? He's played no rugby so can't C him starting

[Chris]

@george33

I think these 6 props will go to France

Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell

[NateHill74]

PROPS:
E de Groot
T Williams
O Tu'ungafasi
T Lomax
N Laulala
F Newell

HOOKERS
C Taylor
D Coles
S Taukei'aho

LOCKS
S Barrett
S Whitelock
B Retallick
T Vaa'i

LOOSIES
S Frizell
S Cane
A Savea
D Papali'i
L Jacobson
E Blackadder

HALF BACKS
A Smith
C Roigard
F Christie (should be Fakatava instead of either Christie or Roigard)

FIRST FIVES
R Mo'unga
B Barrett
D McKenzie

MIDFIELD
J Barrett
R Ioane
A Lienert-Brown
D Havili

OUTSIDES
C Clarke
M Telea
W Jordan
L Fainga'anuku

[george33]

@Chris Do they need 6 with Williams and Ofa covering both sides , My take is
Hookers 3 , Props 5, Locks 5, loosies 6
19 Forwards ,14 Backs
Beauden, Talea, Jordan,Clarke
Reiko, ALB, Jordie, Havilli
Mounga, McKenzie
Smith, Christie,Roigard
And Bolter in the Backs ? Our maybe as U said Xtra prop

[Chris]

@george33

Ryan will want 6 props I reckon. yeah I reckon a 19 forward 14 backs split.

[Bovidae]

I wouldn't be surprised if 5 locks are selected, and SB is considered an option at 6. If Frizell is their man they need to decide who is the backup. Vaa'i packed down at 6 in the short time he was on the field vs SA. For that reason I hope Finau is involved in Dunedin.

[george33]

@Chris you most likely right I'm sort of thinking that Lomax/ De Groot will start most games outside of 2 maybe, and I've Heard that Patrick is a real chance if he proves his fitness from round 2 Bunnings Cup another Big body that's needed

[Chris]

@Bovidae

I reckon that is the only question 5 locks/5 Lfs or 4 locks/6 LFs.

[sparky]

I think 6 props is certain and I don’t see terribly many squad positions still up for grabs unless there are injuries.

Props: De Groot, Lomax, Laulala, Tu’ungafasi. 2 of Williams, Newell and Moody, probably the first two.

Hookers: Taylor, Taukei’hao, Coles

Locks: S. Barrett, B.Retallick, S. Whitelock, T. Vaa’i

Back row: S. Frizell, S. Cane, D. Papali’i, A.Savea, L. Jacobson. Either E. Blackadder or S. Finau, most likely E. Blackadder.

Half Back: A. Smith, F. Christie, C. Roigard

First Five: R. Mo’unga, D. McKenzie

Midfield: J.Barrett, R.Ioane, ALB, D.Havili

Back Three: W. Jordan, M. Telea, B. Barrett, C.Clarke, L. Fainga’anuku or Narawa.