How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Squire, Cane, Luatua.
Squire and Cane to whack blokes, Luatua to terrorise in the wide channels. All 3 quick enough to make life hard for the Lions on both sides of the ball. Good height too.
Ardie and PT on the bench for huge impact. Series sorted.
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Haha, those thinking Read and Kaino won't play the first test are surely having a larfff.
Luatua at no8, no thanks. He's a better blindside IMO. I actually don't think he'll make the squad andI'd rather they picked Messam.
Squire will make the squad but he's an impact player still.
Ardie Savea starting? I don't think he's ready. Last year Hansen had Todd start more tests than him. Savea showed he was a decent impact player, but I think he has a ways to go in his accuracy in the tackle.
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@mariner4life Yeah - you'd think we didn't have any 6/8 options some of what's being talked here.
I'd pick also Messam, Dixon, Taufua and perhaps even Luke Whitelock, before I'd start thinking about converting a 7 or lock.
Not sure about PT on the bench. I'd be somewhat inclined to go with Romano.
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@Billy-Tell said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
And now read has had thumb surgery...
I wouldn't worry about it. Some bloke on the Stuff.co.nz comments section said there are plenty of better No 8s in NZ than Read. That's good enough to put my mind at ease.
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You cantabs are hilarious
Todd, whitelock and Taufua? Jesus.
Bunch of Mark Carters
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@mariner4life Hey - it's not us suggesting to play Cane at 6 or 8 to accommodate Todd!
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I've never been on the Taufua bandwagon. I like his game at Super level and what he brings for the Saders, but he's not test material in my eyes.
Todd has the tackling, stamina and support game that the AB coaches seem to really like. So I'm not surprised he's there or thereabouts. Just ask Canes4Life....
S. Whitelock to blindside, nup no need.
On those pushing Scott Barrett, he's developing nicely but I think just like last year he'll only get in if there are injuries to our four frontline locks. He has some work ons.
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Ladbrokes are paying $1.20 for an ab series win still
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The one positive about the injuries to Read, Kaino and Coles and the likely suspension of Whitelock is that our forwards will be bloody fresh going into the first test. If these guys can recover in time for the first test, I think their freshness will give them an edge over what must be a jaded Lions pack.
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So who are we most likely to see in the first test, should injury recoveries not go to plan?
- Moody
- Coltman
- Franks
- Retallick
- Whitelock
- Squire
- Cane
- Luatua
- TJP
- Barrett
- R Ioane
- Crotty
- ALB
- J Savea
- Smith
Reserves:
- Taylor
- Crockett
- Faumuina
- S. Barrett
- A. Savea
- A. Smith
- A. Cruden
- SBW
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
So who are we most likely to see in the first test, should injury recoveries not go to plan?
- Moody
- Coltman
- Franks
- Retallick
- Whitelock
- Squire
- Cane
- Luatua
- TJP
- Barrett
- R Ioane
- Crotty
- ALB
- J Savea
- Smith
Coltman? Hmmm
I'd swap 6 and 8
Dagg not expected back?
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@Tim BB and Cruden starts at 10?
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@Tim I understand from last week's interviews that Dagg is expected to return against the Hurricanes on 13 May, so I'd expect him in the 14 jersey and Julian Savea at 11. In absence of Dagg, it would be either Rieko Ioane or Naholo in the 14 jersey.
If Ben Smith is still injured, Dagg will play 15, obviously.
I think Taylor will start, not Coltman.
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For once Marshall was right (re: taping the outside of your boot never works) and once Smith warmed down the pain and swelling would have kicked in.
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@taniwharugby I'd be loath to move our best back from his most effective position.
