How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Fifita is extremely lucky.
He must be the lock cover if Retalicks injury doesn't come right. Based on the Irish loss last year I'd have him way down the list of locks I want playing in a test match.
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That loose forward mix is fucked. 2 old guys who aren't playing, and haven't played for ages, a back up who isn't playing, has hardly played, and isn't exactly a fixture. Meanwhile a guy who is carving up, smoked the Lions last night gets left out? Fucking selective there.
Laumape is a surprise. But not much else is.
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@akan004 I'd suggest you look at the bulk of Aso's tries. Passing is one area Laumape has improved massively. Agree regarding Jordie but if there is one coaching group that has a proven track record for improving Barrett tackling then its the men in black.
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@mariner4life Yeah, that's a real turd from Hansen. Lions are supposed to be the pinnacle of rugby, so why not choose the best available?
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NZ Maori:
Props
Chris Eves - North Harbour - Waikato/Tainui (7 appearances)
Kane Hames - Ta$man - Ngāi Tuhoe/Ngāti Porou (5)
Mike Kainga - Taranaki - Ngāti Kahungunu (2)
Ben May - Hawke’s Bay - Ngāti Maniapoto (12)
Marcel Renata - Auckland - Ngāti Whānaunga / Te Aupouri (4)Hookers
Ash Dixon (captain) - Hawke’s Bay - Ngāti Tahinga (8)
Hikawera Elliot - Counties Manukau - Ngāti Awa (9)Locks
Tom Franklin - Otago - Ngāti Maniapoto (4)
Leighton Price - Taranaki - Waikato/Ngāti Maniapoto (3)
Joe Wheeler - Ta$man - Ngāi Tahu (2)Loose forwards
Elliot Dixon - Southland - Ngāpuhi (9)
Akira Ioane - Auckland - Ngāpuhi/Te Whānau ā Apanui (5)
Liam Messam - Waikato - Ngāti Maniapoto (12)
Reed Prinsep - Canterbury - Te Rārawa (2)
Kara Pryor – Northland - Ngāti Awa/Ngāti Pikiao/Ngāti Rangitihi (2)Halfbacks
Bryn Hall* - North Harbour - Ngāti Ranginui
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi* - Taranaki - Ngāti PikiaoFirst five-eighths
Otere Black - Manawatu - Ngāi Tuhoe/Te Whānau ā Apanui/Ngāti Tūwharetoa (4)
Ihaia West - Hawke’s Bay - Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāti Porou (7)Midfielders
Tim Bateman - Canterbury - Ngāi Tahu (12)
Charlie Ngatai - Taranaki - Ngāti Porou/Te Whānau ā Apanui/Te Whakatōhea (9)
Matt Proctor - Wellington - Ngāi Te Rangi/Ngāpuhi (9)
Rob Thompson* - Canterbury - Ngāti Kahungunu
James Lowe - Ta$man - Ngāpuhi/Ngāi Te Rangi (5)Outside backs
Damian McKenzie - Waikato - Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Ngāti Tahinga (3)
Nehe Milner-Skudder - Manawatu - Ngāti Porou/Tapuika (2)
Declan O’Donnell - Taranaki - Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Ngāti Porou (1) -
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@akan004 said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
JK certainly asks a lot of irrelevant questions. People want to hear why individuals missed out.
What is irrelevant about "So we [Fox and Foster] all played with Gatland. Right? So are you excited about this Lions Tour".
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The only 'surprise' for me was Todd being left out. Even though it was a possibility, I refused to believe it... 😎
The other omissions and promotions are much of a muchness really.
Luatua has been on the outer with Hansen and co for a while, so no real surprise there.
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@ACT-Crusader is right though. This coaching team has not viewed Luatua well since he turned up unfit in his second AB year
The chances since have appeared to be given begrudgingly.
No wonder he got his agent to look around.With DMac they have obviously decided he isn't big enough. Big shame as he is now tainted with that and will end up overseas IMO.
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Well I really like the look of that squad.
On the loose forwards - the only obvious change there is Luatua for Squire. Personally I think they should have gone with Luatua, but I guess they are annoyed at all the work they've done to get him up to test standard, and now he's bolting before contributing anything meaningful on the field. Agree there's a bit of spite, but at the end of the day Luatua made his bed there. The rest of them pick themselves, despite age and a lack of recent game-time. If Cane gets injured then Todd comes straight into the starting 15 - fuck we are lucky to have a guy like that waiting in the wings.
Midfield... Laumape!! Great selection, he's been pure class all year and has more then filled the Nonu-sized hole in our backline. Those that don't rate him clearly haven't watched him play this year - he's scored a truckload of tries and set up most of Aso's. He's also a great bailout option for the 10 if we are on the backfoot, similar to Nonu. Unlikely to feature in the first test but I'm really happy he's in the environment now - well deserved. We've got two playmakers in Crotty and ALB, and two bruisers in SBW and Laumape. I like it.
Hookers, Props and Locks all largely predictable. Coles must offer a lot off the field to make the squad...
Half-backs and five-eights predictable. Mo'unga has had a great season but is clearly number 4 in the pecking order.
Outside backs.. Jordie the bolter there as while he's been good for the Canes, he hasn't been outstanding. I guess they see a lot more potential in him at test level then DMac largely due to his size. Happy to see Rieko there and I hope he gets the start at 11 or 14 - he'll be giving the Lions players nightmares.
Overall a sensible squad with a couple of newbies, which is how Hansen has rolled since the start of his tenure.
Bring it on!
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I think my biggest surprise is that they've gone with a 17 forwards, 16 backs split. I thought it would be 18/15 or even 19/14.
So automatically, at least one (maybe two?) extra outside backs (Jordie) in for one (or two) extra loose forwards (Todd or Luatua in my book).
Laumape easily my biggest surprise in terms of personnel - I didn't really have him in the frame, though I also haven't ever watched him closely.
Also pretty surprised that Jordie makes it over DMac. I half-pie thought both might miss out, but if only one were to make it I would have gone for DMac, who's been there before and has been carrying the Chiefs, a bit, for the past few weeks.
I guess the paucity of loose forward selections pretty clearly points (injuries permitting) to a Kaino, Cane, Read loose forward trio, with Savea on the bench.
In the backs, an interesting selection with be the third bench spot, given that it's highly doubtful Crotty will be fit for the first test or Samoa. Do you pick Rieko to cover the midfield (assuming he's not starting and since he's released to the Maori I'd say that's doubtful) - or Jordie or Laumape?
It looks to me like it's geared to something like:
Smith, Barrett, SBW, ALB, Savea, Dagg, Smith
Perenara, Cruden, ???? (Ioane, Laumape or Jordie?)
