AB Positions up for grabs
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@crazy-horse said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:
In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.
Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?
Nope. I hope not!
Gareth Evans signs two-year deal with Hurricanes
Highlander's loose forward Gareth Evans has signed with the Hurricanes for the next two years.
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@mariner4life said in AB Positions up for grabs:
You may be right, as i don't know the selectors thoughts (and they are pretty conservative) but i can't see how Whitelock's "experience" is enough to override the higher talent and output of another player.
NMS for the RWC 2015 squad? From nowhere?
Ngani Laumape for the Lions squad?
I think they think if you're good enough, you're old enough. I really wouldn't call the selectors conservative.
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@crazy-horse said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:
In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.
Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?
No, signed until end of 2019 season.
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So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
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@nzzp said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@hooroo said in AB Positions up for grabs:
What a gutna if he is finished as he has matured into an excellent number 2!
Hell yeah. Scored some insane tries with his pace from hooker. A great example (like BBBR) of someone who does their core job, and then just brings another level of insane talent.
Scored? Set up a few with some ridiculous passes Nonu and Smith would still be skiting about too ...
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
Just a check of who is missing from ... please help ... not sure who is injured ...
Hames
Coles, Aumua
...
Tuipolutu
Read, Savea
...
Aso
NMSOthers?
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-AllenLaulala should be back by June.
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
Eves? Can't imagine them calling up a 30-year old who has never been in the squad. I was more thinking of Daniel Lienert-Brown. Don't think there's much else separting the two, both not AB level, but at least DLB has time on his side.
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@stargazer I've got no real idea about loosheads. DLB was my next pick just based on attrition. But I went with Eves for two reasons:
- Jeff Wilson picked Eves for the AB team on "The Breakdown"; and
- According to stats Eves is significantly bigger than DLB - who seems very small for an international loosehead.
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@stargazer thanks. I wonder who I was thinking of?
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West?
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About the likely number of players for the squad for the Steinlager Series. These are the numbers for the last two Series.
Total number of players (excluding injury replacements & apprentices):
2014 - 17 forwards and 14 backs
2016 - 18 forwards and 14 backs (incl one non-playing back)Props:
2014 - 5 (Crockett, Faumuina, O. Franks, B. Franks, Woodcock)
2016 - 5 (Crockett, Faumuina, O. Franks, Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi)Hookers:
2014 - 2 (Coles, Mealamu; apprentices: Nathan Harris & Liam Coltman )
2016 - 3 (Coles, Taylor, Harris)Locks:
2014 - 4 (Bird, Retallick, Tuipulotu, S Whitelock)
2016 - 4 (Retallick, Romano, Tuipulotu, S Whitelock; injury replacement: Tom Franklin for Whitelock)Loose Forwards:
2014 - 6 (Cane, Kaino, McCaw, Messam, Read, Vito)
2016 - 6 (Cane, E Dixon, Kaino, Read, A Savea, Squire)Halfbacks:
2014 - 3 (TKB, Perenara, A Smith)
2016 - 2 (TKB, A Smith; injury replacement: Perenara for TKB)First five-eighths:
2014 - 3 (Barrett, Cruden, Slade)
2016 - 3 (Barrett, Cruden, Sopoaga)Midfielders:
2014 - 4 (Crotty, Fekitoa, Nonu, C Smith)
2016 - 4 (Crotty, Fekitoa, Ngatai, Tamanivalu; Moala called up later to replace injured Fekitoa)Outside backs:
2014 - 4 (Dagg, Jane, J Savea, B Smith)
2016 - 5 (Dagg, McKenzie, Naholo, J Savea, B Smith; McKenzie did not play)2014 unavailable due to injury: Francis Saili (ankle), Charles Piutau (knee), Luke Romano (ankle); Daniel Carter on extended leave.
2014 unavailable due to injury: Nehe Milner-Skudder
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@stargazer just realised I was thinking of Thompson.
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@crazy-horse Ah, yes, of course. Edit: Scarlets.
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@booboo said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
Just a check of who is missing from ... please help ... not sure who is injured ...
Hames
Coles, Aumua
...
Tuipolutu
Read, Savea
...
Aso
NMSOthers?
Duffie, Havili and Seta are three recent guys who aren't on that list. Is Seta confirmed as leaving? All three have been pretty forgettable so far this season.
I would take TTT before Hall and i think the selectors see Drummond as an AB before hall too given they took him on the EOYT. Did he also go to the recent camps too?
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@pukunui said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@booboo said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
Just a check of who is missing from ... please help ... not sure who is injured ...
Hames
Coles, Aumua
...
Tuipolutu
Read, Savea
...
Aso
NMSOthers?
Duffie, Havili and Seta are three recent guys who aren't on that list. Is Seta confirmed as leaving? All three have been pretty forgettable so far this season.
I would take TTT before Hall and i think the selectors see Drummond as an AB before hall too given they took him on the EOYT. Did he also go to the recent camps too?
Yes.
Havili has been solid, just no x-factor stuff this season, but great on defence.
Drummond did indeed attend the AB camps. -
@stargazer said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Both Eves and Lienert-Brown are good around the field but weak in the scrum. I think that Eves is better in both aspects, but not good enough. They won't pick either.
