AB RWC Squad
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@BerniesCorner said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Tim Smith probably most vital player in the squad, followed by JB and Savea.
Scott Barrett is the best player in the squad on current form.
Ardie on his day too. He was a terminator in Bled II.
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@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
For me the real question is midfield.
I don't see ALB as starting 12. Prefer Goodhue, although I suspect Havilli will be TWM's back up for Jordie. Agree that Ennor closest like for like for Roane, but suspect ALB will get nod for bench role.
Slim chance of five midfielders, in which case it's Leicester OR Caleb.
I think the gap from Jordie and Rieko to their replacements is huge. And I don't even rate Rieko as a 13 as it is....his wheels are getting him out of trouble on D the whole time more so than the top two inches Conrad had. He is a bit of a greedy guts in possession too.
But he is a game breaker so the juice is just about worth the squeeze.
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@Chris-B Agree on Moody. That sort of experience at World Cups is invaluable. An old head to balance the young gun front-rowers would be a smart move and he’s still a great loosehead. I think Tamati Williams is a project for 2024.
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@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
In his post match press conference Foster indicated there were 2 or 3 RWC spots that were being tested yesterday. Finau and Newell would make sense as 2 of those. Perhaps wing as another one?
I'd say wings definitely. Seems pretty likely that at least one of Narawa, Leicester or Stevenson will be going - and at least one (probably 2 IMO) won't be.
Narawa had put a solid marker down in his debut, so I reckon the other two needed to beat it.
Probably Tamaiti Williams. Possibly Ennor, but really they've got enough data already on him.
You'd imagine they know a shitload about their props relative scrummaging capacities that we never see, so some of the test will be how these guys react to live pressure.
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@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Feel very sorry for Ennor, who’s had very bad luck with knee injuries.
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@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
The French starting XV will have Scooter and Sam at lock, with Vaa'i on bench. After that the next touch match will be quarters, by which time BBBR will be back. Lord is a luxury.
One I'd likely take, to be honest.
If Whitelock was injured in the lead up to the French test, I'd like a better lineout operator there.
We could start Lord and Barrett and see the 2024 pairing now.
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@gt12 said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
The French starting XV will have Scooter and Sam at lock, with Vaa'i on bench. After that the next touch match will be quarters, by which time BBBR will be back. Lord is a luxury.
One I'd likely take, to be honest.
If Whitelock was injured in the lead up to the French test, I'd like a better lineout operator there.
We could start Lord and Barrett and see the 2024 pairing now.
If Lomax were injured I'd want to see Nepo in 23 for France, rather than Ofa at TH.
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@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@gt12 said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
The French starting XV will have Scooter and Sam at lock, with Vaa'i on bench. After that the next touch match will be quarters, by which time BBBR will be back. Lord is a luxury.
One I'd likely take, to be honest.
If Whitelock was injured in the lead up to the French test, I'd like a better lineout operator there.
We could start Lord and Barrett and see the 2024 pairing now.
If Lomax were injured I'd want to see Nepo in 23 for France, rather than Ofa at TH.
I think Ofa is a much much better TH than LH, so if we needed to start Fletch and bring Ofa off the bench, I think I'd prefer that.
Also, far more line outs in a game than scrums, they are far too underrated.
The other option is just to drop BBBR. I know he's been one of our best ever at lock, but carrying him injured for a second WC, for him to potentially come back and underperform doesn't sound that good to me.
