All Blacks Squad for France
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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.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
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.
Laulala could be back as early as next round vs NSW according to Ngatai (in his Stormers post-match comments). Of course, let's wait to see. The same for Squire.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Good that they pick a young up-and-coming player.
I'm not sure 'up and coming' fits with a quick series against the Froggies. Whoever plays is unlikely to feature at the RWC next year - I guess they figure they'd grab Crockett again if needed ... o rjust abandon ship if it gets that bad again.
I guess I"m happy with that
