TRC squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="599688" data-time="1469327828">
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<p>Looking back at my earlier picks, I don't think much has changed. A few people might get lucky due to injuries (Fekitoa) or lack of really good alternatives (J. Savea).</p>
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<p>I'm not convinced that Lowe is ready yet, although as mentioned above, he could go on to good things if he gets brought in to the environment and continues to develop his decision making. His left boot is very handy. </p>
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<p>I'm now assuming that SBW will be picked, so the only real question marks are 4th lock (which I still think will be Romano), the 5th and 6th loosies (Is there room for Luatua, and if so, who gets left out?) and midfield (Fuck it that Ngatai is injured, because if so I think Fekitoa stays home).</p>
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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Hookers:</strong> Coles, Harris, Taylor (Elliot if Coles injured would be my choice)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Props:</strong> Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faimuina, Ofa</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Locks:</strong> Retallick, Whitelock, Pat T, Romano (under pressure by Franklin and Bird, but I think he'll be picked)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Loose forwards: </strong>Kaino, Cane, Read, A. Savea, Luatua, & Dixon or Squire (One of who is really unlucky, but I can't go past Luatua's form)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Scrumhalves: </strong>A.<strong> </strong>Smith, Perenara, TKB</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Flyhalves:</strong> Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Centre:</strong> SBW, Crotty, Moala, Fekitoa (I'm picking Tamanivalu to miss out even though he's probably going better than Mala)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Outside backs:</strong> Dagg, Naholo, F. Savea, B. Smith</p>
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<p>Well, that was a bit boring. I'm surprised about Luatua, but I guess the other two haven't really had much of a chance yet and, as Duluth said, the selectors don't change their minds quickly. Plus, once they've changed it, it appears to take time to get back in, probably by being on stand by as one of the 'extras' on the way back - so at least Luatua remains in the picture.</p>
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<p>From now on, we should pick squads plus 4-5 'extras', as they always seem to, and it's the only real surprise.</p>
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<p>It's a great idea to get a look at Nanai.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="601964" data-time="1470003631">
<p>So only Taminivalu has got the axe? Dom Bird must have gone close (<strong>can't believe I'm saying that as he was so overrated and shit for so long</strong>).</p>
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<br><p> :mocking: The wide-eyed wonderment at a hated former Crusader turning out actually be a good player after all...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="601973" data-time="1470004177">
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<p>Bloody hell they have played the same number of tests!</p>
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<p>Cruden had a 2 year head start but has had lots of injuries and Barrett has often been on the bench. I think Barrett has only started 6 tests or something.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="601979" data-time="1470004526">
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<p> :mocking: The wide-eyed wonderment at a hated former Crusader turning out actually be a good player after all...</p>
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<p>I've seen windows less transparent than Nepia's rugby opinions.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="601979" data-time="1470004526">
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<p> :mocking: The wide-eyed wonderment at a hated former Crusader turning out actually be a good player after all...</p>
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<p>A good player who Toddy dropped for an entire season.</p>
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<p>Boring squad announcement, to be honest. Wanted to see Bird, Luatua and Lowe in there.</p> -
<p>Happy with that squad.</p>
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<p>Agreed the additional training cover spots are a nice way to recognise form (Luatua) and young players of real promise (ALB, Nanai).</p>
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<p>I think Nanai can give DMac a real contest as a fullback option. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="601987" data-time="1470005081">
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<p>A good player who Toddy dropped for an entire season.</p>
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<p>Boring squad announcement, to be honest. Wanted to see Bird, Luatua and Lowe in there.</p>
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<p>Yes - he even preferred Jimmy Tupou, when he had to choose. Inexplicable, really - presumably Toddy learned his lesson about people from Hawkes Bay. :)</p>
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<p>Most interesting thing is Nanai getting the invitation to attend the camp ahead of Lowe. If there was a choice made about that I wonder if it was made before or after Saturday night.</p>
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<p>Most interesting - aside from Matt Todd being invited, because he's obviously breathing down Ardie's neck. :)</p> -
<p>I like how they said five extra players will attend the camp, and then promptly name six extra players. And both major news agencies report it.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="601988" data-time="1470005125">
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<p>First question for Hansen has to be "you've said this season is about being better than next year and lifting your standards to a higher level. How does Julian Savea figure into that?"</p>
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<p>I think it's a clear indication that they still believe that Julian will come right, even if he doesn't start for the Canes. I have no doubt that they are in a far better position than anyone else to assess what's wrong with him and where he's at.</p>
<p>It's clear that it's not his fitness or motivation ...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="601994" data-time="1470005406">
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<p>I think the invitation to Nanai to attend camp is a clear sign that James Lowe is not in the AB picture. Good.</p>
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<p> Ta$man supporter, eh? I'm not unhappy that we'll hopefully have James for the M10 Cup - if he's not away having shoulder surgery.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="602000" data-time="1470005904">
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<p>I think it's a clear indication that they still believe that Julian will come right, even if he doesn't start for the Canes. I have no doubt that they are in a far better position than anyone else to assess what's wrong with him and where he's at.</p>
<p>It's clear that it's not his fitness or motivation ...</p>
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<p>Tony Veitch spent the June series repeatedly telling everyone that there's more to the Savea story than what has been made public - apparently Veitch had the inside word on this. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="601999" data-time="1470005824">
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<p>I like how they said five extra players will attend the camp, and then promptly name six extra players. And both major news agencies report it.</p>
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<p>Strange huh, I figured Hansen was just trying to sneak one past the NZRU payroll.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="601988" data-time="1470005125">
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<p>First question for Hansen has to be "you've said this season is about being better than next year and lifting your standards to a higher level. How does Julian Savea figure into that?"</p>
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<p>If you were paying a guy $800k would you tell him to go away and just sort himself out, or would you continue to invest a bit time and resource into him to bring that talent back to the surface?</p>
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<p>Continuing to pick him is a bit exasperating to armchair selectors, but they improved him last year between SR and RWC. We have to assume they can do the same again this year. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="602002" data-time="1470006068">
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<p>Tony Veitch spent the June series repeatedly telling everyone that there's more to the Savea story than what has been made public - apparently Veitch had the inside word on this. </p>
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<p>Based on how he talked about it though I'm not sure the Savea story can be solved by playing international rugby.</p>
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<p>I just hope they are picking him because they believe he is one of the top 3 wings in the country not to prove a point about loyalty/culture/development or whatever. Sivi, Joe Roks, Cullen and Jane all had their international careers ended with much less of a form dip than this.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="602004" data-time="1470006269">
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<p>If you were paying a guy $800k would you tell him to go away and just sort himself out, or would you continue to invest a bit time and resource into him to bring that talent back to the surface?</p>
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<p>They have a better read on it than me, but perhaps playing international rugby below his best (negative reinforcement) is not the best thing for him either. Perhaps dominating at Mitre 10 Cup level and getting his mojo back while being close to home is a better option?</p>
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<p>I guess at the end of the day they are saying that they rate the chances of Savea coming right better than Lowe & co being international quality. I disagree just based on the career trajectory of similar places but we shall see. They will go down with the ship on this one if it comes to that.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="602004" data-time="1470006269">
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<p>If you were paying a guy $800k would you tell him to go away and just sort himself out, or would you continue to invest a bit time and resource into him to bring that talent back to the surface?</p>
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<p>Continuing to pick him is a bit exasperating to armchair selectors, but they improved him last year between SR and RWC. We have to assume they can do the same again this year. </p>
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<p>Savea was still pretty bad throughout the RWC though. He had a few good moments in the quarter final but offered little else. 2014 was the last time he played consistently well.</p>
