AB RWC Squad
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So - in terms of the RWC squad:
Props - Lomax and De Groot on the plane already - I have a hunch Moody is, as well.
So these four possibly playing for one to drop out - most likely a loosehead unless one of the tightheads has a shocker. I'd imagine Ryan has a pretty good idea of who he's taking, but an element of a shoot out.
Hookers - set in stone.
Locks - SB, SW & BR on the plane. This selection looks like Vaa'i is in pole position for fourth - Lord might need them to take five locks, which might happen if Finau doesn't play a blinder.
Loose forwards - SF, SC, DP, AS, LJ on the plane - Finau gets a chance to book a ticket, Blackadder looking pretty doubtful with another injury. A possibility that SBarrett (or LJ) becomes the back-up blindside and they take five locks, or maybe Akira gets a recall.
Halfbacks - AS and I think probably FC on the plane - it would be a bit odd if Finlay was playing for his place and Roigard was locked in after 15 minutes of test footy. Cam has done what he can, but a nervous wait if he hasn't already been given the nod. Likewise for Weber, whose odds will improve if FC has a poor game.
First fives are sorted.
Midfield - JB, RI, ALB on the plane - Havili vs Ennor this weekend, but Dave with pole position, I think. Not much chance for Dallas to play the blinder he needs with 15 minutes off the bench.
Wings - all on for young and old. WJ and MT on the plane. Probably CC as well, I think. EN has done what he can and LF & SS get their chance to push him out for the final spot.
Fullbacks - see first fives.
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@Chris-B Nice summary. The benefit of picking Finau (assuming he plays well on Saturday) is a like for like backup to Frizell if something was to happen and you avoid shifting Barrett or someone else to 6. The flipside is would Fozzie have the guts to play Finau in a big game at 6 if Frizell was not available. Akira with possibly a last chance on Sunday for Auckland but i'd bet against him being named on Monday.
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@Chris-B Nice analysis and insight there, you obviously haven't read the front page of the fern for awhile
My wild guesses are...
Laulala yes and Tamiti no.
Finau and Lord will go with Blackadder & Akira to miss out.
HB I have a sneaking suspicion they will go with Webber.
Midfield I think Havili will get the nod unless Ennor plays a blinder.
Wingers I think they will go with EN, LF and SS left behind (even if they play well).
I guess we'll find out on Monday...
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@Chris-B An excellent summary and I mostly agree.
Props - Pretty much locked. If Moody is fit to return then one of Ofa T or Newell falls out.
Hookers - Locked unless injury.
Locks - I suspect it will be four with Lord missing out.
Back row - Finau has a decent chance to impress. If he plays well, I could see him being picked ahead of the injury-prone Ethan Blackadder. An Akira Ioane recall is unlikely.
Half Backs - Locked unless injury. Roigard ahead of Weber.
First Fives - Locked.
Midfield - Havili Vs Ennor. The rest is locked.
Back Three - Fainga’anuku and Stevenson (along with Narawa) competing for one spot. The rest is locked.
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@Bovidae One thing I definitely can't see them doing is taking only five props (which has occasionally been suggested). If you did that, then if Lomax or de Groot picked up an early injury that would keep them out for a few weeks, you wouldn't be able to safely carry them till they healed.
Basically, it's two out of Moody, Ofa and Williams - unless they switch Ofa and pick him as a tighthead. Big Tamaiti can also play both sides and would be fine against the minnows.
I think Ofa would be a bit nervous that they're giving Tamaiti the start this week - but, it might be 40 minutes each for the four props!
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@Windows97 said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Finau and Lord will go with Blackadder & Akira to miss out.
I think there's only room for one of these four - unless they skimp in the outside backs.
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@Crazy-Horse said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@george33 said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B Akira has been in camp
But where does he live?
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Lienert-Brown at 12 might be a fairly good clue as to what they are thinking in the midfield...
I am happy to be proven wrong, but to me that suggests they are either:
A. Taking 5, so the 4 + Havili
B. They aren't taking Havili, as Ennor is playing 13.If they were holding the spot for Havili in a four man midfield roster, surely McLeod would start at 12? For what it is worth, the closer we get to the squad naming, the more I feel like they may go for option A, with MT, CC, WJ and BB as their outside backs.
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@frugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Lienert-Brown at 12 might be a fairly good clue as to what they are thinking in the midfield...
I am happy to be proven wrong, but to me that suggests they are either:
A. Taking 5, so the 4 + Havili
B. They aren't taking Havili, as Ennor is playing 13.If they were holding the spot for Havili in a four man midfield roster, surely McLeod would start at 12? For what it is worth, the closer we get to the squad naming, the more I feel like they may go for option A, with MT, CC, WJ and BB as their outside backs.
They'll take at least 13 tighties. So if 6 loosies that means 14 backs. Six HBs (English defn), so 5 midfield means 3 back three.
Can't see that.
So either 5 loosies, 5 midfield and four back three, or 6 loosies 4 midfield and 4 back three.
Treating BB as 10.
Unless Havilli travels as Utility?
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I think they’ll take 14 backs. I’d say the below 12 are bolted on
3x halfback - AS, FC, CR
2x 1st 5s - RM, DM
3x midfield - JB, RI, ALB
1x utility - BE
3x outside backs - BB, WJ, MT2 of DH, CC, LF, SS, EN
I think they’ll take CC and DH. If it was me I’d take LF and SS. Play BE as a midfielder only.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
I think they’ll take 14 backs. I’d say the below 12 are bolted on
3x halfback - AS, FC, CR
2x 1st 5s - RM, DM
3x midfield - JB, RI, ALB
1x utility - BE
3x outside backs - BB, WJ, MT2 of DH, CC, LF, SS, EN
I think they’ll take CC and DH. If it was me I’d take LF and SS. Play BE as a midfielder only.
Cunning plan to move Roane back to wing?
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Maybe I'm biased but RIoane is developing nicely as a 13. I see less and less use for DH (esp with a resurgent ALB) now..
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@nostrildamus said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Maybe I'm biased but RIoane is developing nicely as a 13. I see less and less use for DH (esp with a resurgent ALB) now..
I don't get the feeling the TWM agree.
