AB RWC Squad
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@Machpants said in AB RWC Squad:
@MajorRage said in AB RWC Squad:
Have only seen the highlights of Bled 2, but it seems that Finau has been unlucky based on his game here. Now looking at the back row, we can be sure that Cane, Savea & Frizzel are starting. We then have one on the bench of Papalii or Jacobsen. If one of the 5 gets injured, where does Finau come into it? Perhaps only if it's Frizzell?
Who is the spare lock if one of our 3 working ones gets niggle in training/games before BBBR is back? Frizzle, but he is starting 6, so really we need another 6 (the only position without a spare) - that's Finau
Did any journalist ask Foster & co.
I honestly don't know the answers, just trying to figure out the reasoning as I'm sure there must be some.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad:
@Machpants said in AB RWC Squad:
@MajorRage said in AB RWC Squad:
Have only seen the highlights of Bled 2, but it seems that Finau has been unlucky based on his game here. Now looking at the back row, we can be sure that Cane, Savea & Frizzel are starting. We then have one on the bench of Papalii or Jacobsen. If one of the 5 gets injured, where does Finau come into it? Perhaps only if it's Frizzell?
Who is the spare lock if one of our 3 working ones gets niggle in training/games before BBBR is back? Frizzle, but he is starting 6, so really we need another 6 (the only position without a spare) - that's Finau
I guess they see Jacobson as the backup 6
It’s Scooter
Let's move the form lock in the world to 6. Genius.
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@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad:
@Machpants said in AB RWC Squad:
@MajorRage said in AB RWC Squad:
Have only seen the highlights of Bled 2, but it seems that Finau has been unlucky based on his game here. Now looking at the back row, we can be sure that Cane, Savea & Frizzel are starting. We then have one on the bench of Papalii or Jacobsen. If one of the 5 gets injured, where does Finau come into it? Perhaps only if it's Frizzell?
Who is the spare lock if one of our 3 working ones gets niggle in training/games before BBBR is back? Frizzle, but he is starting 6, so really we need another 6 (the only position without a spare) - that's Finau
I guess they see Jacobson as the backup 6
It’s Scooter
Let's move the form lock in the world to 6. Genius.
Yep. And like I said I’ll be laughing
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@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad:
@Machpants said in AB RWC Squad:
@MajorRage said in AB RWC Squad:
Have only seen the highlights of Bled 2, but it seems that Finau has been unlucky based on his game here. Now looking at the back row, we can be sure that Cane, Savea & Frizzel are starting. We then have one on the bench of Papalii or Jacobsen. If one of the 5 gets injured, where does Finau come into it? Perhaps only if it's Frizzell?
Who is the spare lock if one of our 3 working ones gets niggle in training/games before BBBR is back? Frizzle, but he is starting 6, so really we need another 6 (the only position without a spare) - that's Finau
I guess they see Jacobson as the backup 6
It’s Scooter
Let's move the form lock in the world to 6. Genius.
Leaving us with no lock reserve for 3 or so games, even geniuser
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@sparky said in AB RWC Squad:
What are our options from that squad for Number 8 if Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson both have injury niggles?
If we are in that situation where we are going into a key game, they would make a call and probably permanently replace one of them with Ioane.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@sparky said in AB RWC Squad:
What are our options from that squad for Number 8 if Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson both have injury niggles?
If we are in that situation where we are going into a key game, they would make a call and probably permanently replace one of them with
IoaneStevenson. -
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There are some pretty unlikely scenarios being thrown about. We have to operate with a smaller squad and yes the outside back contingency seems like overkill. But were they ever going to select 5 locks regardless? Nope. Hey we only took 3 locks to 2015!
If two number 8’s go down it’s not like we were ever picking another one there regardless of the outside backs.
Christie getting time in the RC / Bledisloe sealed his ticket. For me it was probably a Roigard v Weber close call.
Finau - touch and go really. Not too dissimilar to past RWC selection close calls
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...Foster confirming straight after his announcement in Napier on Monday that he would carry three additions through until the start of the tournament.
Finau, Weber and Canterbury hooker George Bell would fill those roles as they cover key positions for the squad which heads to Twickenham to take on South Africa on August 26 in their last pre-World Cup hitout.
“That was always the plan,” said Foster of the decision to carry the additional trio. “We’re allowed to have extra players train with us up until we go to France, so we’ll bring Brad, Samipeni and George with us. To be fair, it would have been Asafo Aumua (at hooker) but he pulled a calf at the weekend and is out for 6-8 weeks.
The All Blacks coach also name-checked veteran Crusaders prop Joe Moody – not quite ready for the full callup after recent foot problems – and crocked Rugby Championship lock Josh Lord among the group that he would have on standby should injury strike.
“Josh has been with us, played really well, but missed out on this squad,” said Foster. “He’s probably a couple of weeks away from playing with his shoulder, so we’ll be monitoring him really closely.
“You’ve also got Joe with his vast experience. He’s a pretty special man and been a great All Black and I know he’s desperate to come back and play again. We just felt with his time away – the end of ‘21 was the last time he played for the All Blacks – he’s going to benefit from some regular [game] time over the next 4-6 weeks and really build up his body, and the confidence in scrummaging and moving around.
Foster said he won’t make his wider backup group public because of various “ramificatioins” in play, but said the players would know who they are.
Foster also explained his 18-15 squad balance – one more back and one less loose forward than some were predicting.
“We’d like it to be an eight-week campaign and you have to have opposition to train against. So you’re looking at how you balance things out. We looked at the versatility too. We’ve got two locks who can play 6, so that’s invaluable. In the past we’ve had three locks and six loosies ...people cut that cake different ways. We’ve decided this is the right way for us.
“Outside backs is probably where we’ve taken an extra person. We’ve got the ability to juggle around, and keep exploring how we select our 23 particularly and how we utilise impact off the bench. This gives us a few options to keep experimenting in that space.”
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We’ve got two locks who can play 6, so that’s invaluable. In the past we’ve had three locks and six loosies
Whereas now we have 3 locks and 5 loosies, fucking Muppet
This gives us a few options to keep experimenting in that space
RWC, the ideal place for excitements. Did a lot of that in the run up to the quarters in 07
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In reality everyone on here should be happy. We have got a decent shot at the WC.
12 months ago we really were playing tiddlywinks. -
@Machpants said in AB RWC Squad:
Foster named the most experienced World Cup squad of all time (1,493 caps)
Extra two squad members probably make a bit of a difference there - that also applies to your post @ACT-Crusader !
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If things go awry on the injury front Jacobson could play some major minutes.
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@BerniesCorner said in AB RWC Squad:
If things go awry on the injury front Jacobson could play some major minutes.
That's not a bad thing.
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@Bones said in AB RWC Squad:
@BerniesCorner said in AB RWC Squad:
If things go awry on the injury front Jacobson could play some major minutes.
That's not a bad thing.
Depends if that is at lock or not
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@ACT-Crusader Or Hoskins Sotutu.
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Yep full confidence in Jacobson, deserves his chance.
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@Bones I think the concussion protocols has been a key issue in the bigger squad sizes.
For the stat nerds:
2007 - 30 (match day 22)
split - 16/14Hookers - 3
Props - 4
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5—————————————————-
2011 - 30 (match day 22)
split - 16/14Hookers - 3
Props - 4
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5—————————————————-
2015 - 31 (match day 23)
split - 17/14Hookers - 3
Props - 5
Locks - 3
Loose Forwards - 6Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 3
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 4—————————————————-
2019 - 31 (match day 23)
split - 17/14Hookers - 3
Props - 5
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5—————————————————-
2023 - 33 (match day 23)
split - 18/15Hookers - 3
Props - 6
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 3
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5
