AB squad for the EOYT
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Paulasi Manu would be a shot if they take a third loosehead. I'd tend to think it would be him or Kane Hames.
Tom Franklin was ahead of Dom Bird at the last waypoint, though I'm not sure they need five locks. I'd say something like:
Crockett
Moody
Hames(?)
Franks
Faumuina
Tu'ungafasiColes
Taylor
Coltman (?)Retallick
Whitelock
Tuipolotu
RomanoKaino
Dixon
Cane
Savea
Read
SquireSmith
Perenara
Kerr-BarlowBarrett
Cruden
SopoagaCrotty
Lienert-Brown
Fekitoa
MoalaSavea
Naholo
Dagg
R. Ioane(?)
Smith
McKenziePlus one - and most likely that's a loose forward - Luatua, A. Ioane or Todd. I can't really see them taking another tighthead prop, because Laulala is next in line. I can't see why they'd need five locks - with several loosies who can cover lock.
There's heaps of utility options in the backs, but they might take a fifth midfielder - Tamanivalu, even though Ioane gives them cover there (or they might take Seta instead of Rieko).
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Looks good @Chris-B
What's happening with Harris? Would Coltman be preferred over Parsons?
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the EOYT:
Would Coltman be preferred over Parsons?
I think Coltman was preferred to Parsons for the SA trip because of his utility value. It was a risk only taking 5 props on tour and he was extra insurance
I suspect they will go for Coltman again on the EOYT though. It's a close call and Parsons has been out for a long time with a concussion issue.I agree with the squad @Chris-B picked
For that extra loosie position I think it's between Todd and Luatua. That call probably depends on who they plan on resting for certain matches
Akira looks like he needs an off season.
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@ACT-Crusader Haven't seen any sign of Harris, so I'm assuming he's not available.
I think they picked Parsons on the bench and then released him the following week while retaining Coltman, so some mixed messages there. Can't say I'm very fussed with either Coltman or Parsons.
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if Todd has a blinder this week , its going to be difficult to leave him at home with Cane being available ,
Is it possible they will take all 3 - 7s with Cane being able to play 6 or 8 if needed .
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I like Chris B's squad, though I already stated I think Todd will go. He's the next best loosie in NZ after the current 6, and is obviously more test ready than Savea and Dixon.
I think Rieko Ioane will be very close, as he and DMac seems to be the back in NZ with the most upside. However, I don't watch or follow the NPC so I don't know about up and comers. Wing tends to be a relatively high turnover position where, in comparison to other positions, pure talent may hold just as much weight as terms like polish or experience or nous.
I hesitate a bit on taking 6 outside backs as it seems like a luxury when three are on the field and one, or often none, might sit on the bench. So you get two and probably three sitting in the stands every game, which is quite a high proportion of the 13 players who aren't stripped for the game. In addition, NMS was a star in 2015 and I expect him to come back strongly next year.
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I don't think there is a need for 6 outside backs unless of course they want to carry someone that is a regular who's under a bit of a cloud.
Add to that the fact Barrett is still seen as a finisher in the outside backs for when Cruden or Sopoaga come on.
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@Chris-B. said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@ACT-Crusader Haven't seen any sign of Harris, so I'm assuming he's not available.
I think they picked Parsons on the bench and then released him the following week while retaining Coltman, so some mixed messages there. Can't say I'm very fussed with either Coltman or Parsons.
Harris had to have surgery, he won't be back till next year.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the EOYT:
I don't think there is a need for 6 outside backs unless of course they want to carry someone that is a regular who's under a bit of a cloud.
Add to that the fact Barrett is still seen as a finisher in the outside backs for when Cruden or Sopoaga come on.
Agree - but, with a squad of 36, I can't see an area of greater need. Mainly, I think it would be quite handy to blood another wing, since Savea has had his issues over the past couple of seasons and Dagg is still very much a fullback playing wing in my eyes - plus Ioane is obviously a very handy player and doubles as a midfielder.
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@Chris-B. said in AB squad for the EOYT:
Dagg is still very much a fullback playing wing in my eyes
I've been very impressed with Dagg at wing!
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB squad for the EOYT:
if Todd has a blinder this week , its going to be difficult to leave him at home with Cane being available ,
Is it possible they will take all 3 - 7s with Cane being able to play 6 or 8 if needed .
Todd had a blinder... wonder if he's in the squad - I say yes, and they'll rotate Cane & Todd around the starting 7, Ardie from the bench trick.
Jordie Barrett to tour - you heard it here first. (project player)
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Seems unlikely any new back other than Reiko. Excellent point that Maori your allows back up front row. Would suggest Hames goes with Maori. Probably a couple of other names which will fit same bill.
Todd has earned spot. Dixon hasn't set world on fire, but it would seem harsh to cut.
Loosie/lock cover, something Kaino/Read have covered would make sense. In which case Luatua would be obvious choice. He seems to have matured this year and made no. 8 his against some fair competition at Blues.
We'll know in five hours...
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@westcoastie said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@kiwiinmelb said in AB squad for the EOYT:
if Todd has a blinder this week , its going to be difficult to leave him at home with Cane being available ,
Is it possible they will take all 3 - 7s with Cane being able to play 6 or 8 if needed .
Todd had a blinder... wonder if he's in the squad - I say yes, and they'll rotate Cane & Todd around the starting 7, Ardie from the bench trick.
Jordie Barrett to tour - you heard it here first. (project player)
Todd is starting to remind me of Marty Holah ,
Good honest player, test match ready , but overall you feel he isnt going to get the game time he is capable of delivering ,
I think its that test match ready part that will see him selected for the next squad -
@kiwiinmelb Just what my son said watching the game!
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It would be harsh if any of the current squad were dropped. Dixon, for example, has had limited opportunities since his only start. Many of the regular starters will be rested vs Italy so they will need enough cover in certain positions for that game.
I think Luatua deserves a recall, if that happens.
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@Bovidae said in AB squad for the EOYT:
It would be harsh if any of the current squad were dropped. Dixon, for example, has had limited opportunities since his only start. Many of the regular starters will be rested vs Italy so they will need enough cover in certain positions for that game.
I think Luatua deserves a recall, if that happens.
I havent done the maths , is there room for Todd and Luatua and retaining the other loosies ?
or does one have to go at Luatuas inclusion ?
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@kiwiinmelb I haven't either, but they may only take 5 props and use Coltman as the backup in an emergency. That would allow for an extra player.
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Heres the squad for TRC - can't think it will anyone in here will come out...
Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington / Hurricanes, 39)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury / Crusaders, 5)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty / Chiefs, 4)Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury / Crusaders, 48)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland / Blues, 36)
Owen Franks (Canterbury / Crusaders, 80)
Joe Moody (Canterbury / Crusaders, 14)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland / Blues, 1)Locks
Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay / Chiefs, 50)
Luke Romano (Canterbury / Crusaders, 24)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland / Blues, 9)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury / Crusaders, 75)Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty / Chiefs, 34) replaced by Matt Todd
Elliot Dixon (Southland / Highlanders, 1)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland / Blues, 69)
Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury / Crusaders, 87)
Ardie Savea (Wellington / Hurricanes, 2)
Liam Squire ( Ta$man / Highlanders, 1)Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato / Chiefs, 21)
TJ Perenara (Wellington / Hurricanes, 19)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu / Highlanders, 50)First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki / Hurricanes, 39)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu / Chiefs, 39)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland / Highlanders, 2)Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury / Crusaders, 18)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland / Highlanders, 15)
George Moala (Auckland / Blues, 2)
Anton Lienert Brown, who replaced Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau / Chiefs, 33)Outside backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay / Crusaders, 51)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki / Highlanders, 6)
Julian Savea (Wellington/ Hurricanes, 43)
Ben Smith (Otago / Highlanders, 51)They're taking 36?
Two forwards and two backs to come in?
DMac and one of Seta Tamanivalu or Rieko Ioane? Is it possibly George Moala drops out?
Possibly they'll take a sixth prop (Kane Hames seems to be the choice?), and I think Todd stays with the team.
Squire looks to have take the step up. Could Akira Ioane come in with his brother as a look to the future selection much like Ardie previously - maybe they take him as #37 - pretty sure Hansen has the track record to tell the NZRU this is whats happening and who could argue with his player development record right now.
