All Blacks Squad for France
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I'm just curious why Bridge was mentioned at all. I assume it is because of the Cully article. Personally, I don't believe any of Bridge, Alaimalo, Duffie or Lam will make the AB squad. NMS can also play wing/FB and will be in the squad ahead of those 4 players.
I think you're right - but, NMS isn't a complete lock-in - to the extent that I'd be flabbergasted if he missed out. But, I'd be "pretty surprised" if they picked Bridge ahead of him.
George has been going well this year, though - not undeserving of a mention in the discussion.One suggestion I've seen mentioned is that they might pick five midfielders and only four outside backs (or just two halfbacks).
I'll be a bit annoyed if this happens. It's fuzzy thinking - selecting to accommodate individuals ahead of the team. The team only needs four midfielders, so that's what should be picked.
For me a very important consideration is that they take the chance to try several up and comers where the jury is out about whether or not they'll be ready for the RWC. Third halfback would fall into the category, as would a third LH (if there was one). Third hooker another spot.
In midfield, I'd like to see a couple of combos get a run, even if only off bench -- SBW/ALB, SBW/JG. In back three, there is a surplus of reasonably proven options, so content if they pick four, knowing two or three others are readily available.
I don't think they need Cane, Todd and Savea (A).
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Thinking about forwards. Assume 18 picked, of which 8 in front row. That leaves 10 for back two rows. Assuming Romero recovers I'd see him, BBBR and Skip Whitlelock as locks. Fifita's ability to cover could be tested, possibly at the expense of Barrett (S). That leaves six loosies. I'd personally take two 7s, so would be looking for four 6/8s. Squire/Whitelock (L) and Ioane (A) are in.
Which leaves room for at least one roughie -- Taufua/Evans/Frizzell?
I'd rather give one of them a try instead of picking Barrett (S) or Todd/Savea (A).
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@footy01 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Since Triple T is playing for the chiefs in South Africa and didn’t fly back with the other all blacks, does that mean he isn’t going to make the squad naming on Sunday?
After Hansen was labelled a racist for calling him Triple-T and not his full Maori name, he's probably decided it's not worth the effort.
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@footy01 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Since Triple T is playing for the chiefs in South Africa and didn’t fly back with the other all blacks, does that mean he isn’t going to make the squad naming on Sunday?
Probably means that they are either going with 2 halfbacks (as they have done before for home series) or have already got someone else lined up. The options aren't great and nor is there a clear frontrunner. Maybe they want to see the Super finals before deciding where to invest.
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@footy01 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Since Triple T is playing for the chiefs in South Africa and didn’t fly back with the other all blacks, does that mean he isn’t going to make the squad naming on Sunday?
Really? Would have thought he was a shoe in for 3rd 9.
Yalden was suggesting they have have apprentices and injury cover outside the squad. Maybe fits in there?
They had Drummond in the squad at one stage last year. Not a fan I'm afraid.
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they weren't initially expecting TJP back were they?
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Bidwell either has some inside info or he is talking shit again. I tend to think the latter. For those that don't want to read his article he says Frizell will be the bolter and TTT the third halfback. No Akira or L Whitelock in his squad with Squire picked. And Goodhue misses out in the congested midfield race. What I did find interesting is that he says that the AB selectors are interested in Samisoni Taukei'aho. I rate him as a player for the future but I don't see how you pick a player who doesn't even make the Chiefs' 23 each week.
Bidwell's squad is:
Backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.Forwards: Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Matt Todd, Vaea Fifita, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock (c), Owen Franks, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Tim Perry, Joe Moody, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor.
A loose forward trio of Fifita, Cane and Squire would give me the shits. Sam would need to do more than his usual work in the tight as the other two prefer to stay wider. If Laulala can play at least one game before the French series he should be picked ahead of JTA.
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L Whitelock and Akira should both be in the squad on form. If either miss out it would be a fucking travesty, particularly Akira who has carried the Blues pack on his shoulders all year.
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@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Selecting Savea as a 3rd openside would be so fucking dumb.
In his squad Ardie would have to be the backup no.8.
To me, there needs to be some balance in the loose forwards so that the players complement eachother.
If Squire is available then putting Whitelock or Ioane at no.8 and Cane at 7 is the best option.
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@bovidae There's nothing completely outlandish in Bidwell's squad, but there's a bit that seems unlikely.
I've been wondering what they're going to do about guys on the long term injured list - especially Squire and Laulala. Hasn't been much news about when they're likely to emerge, but you'd think they'd have to be able to get at least one game under their belts to be picked for the French series.
So JTA in for Nepo wouldn't surprise me.
Frizzell is the one that I can't really see making it. Sure he's an impressive physical specimen, but he's only played in a handful of Super rugby games. With a question mark over Squire's fitness and form and Ardie as a midget option at number 8, I can't see it - that set of loose forwards looks too thin - especially on experience. Even in terms of "selection politics" it would make more sense to give the carrot to Whitelock, Ioane or even Taufua - overlooking all of those guys for Frizzell would be sending a pretty strong "fuck off" message.
In the midfield, I'd pick Goodhue, but it won't surprise me if he misses out - ALB is more established in the squad than Jack.
The rest of the backs look pretty right to me - they'll want a wing-fullback option if they're planning to use Ben Smith at fullback (and they probably are), so NMS over Lam. I haven't spent much time watching TTT, but he's clearly in the frame - I reckon it will be him or Bryn Hall.
