All Blacks Squad for France
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@bovidae Not the only reason, but an important one.
You will find plenty of fat club props running around - who have the size but aren't going to play for the ABs.
But, if you look at most of the props who've been picked for the ABs in recent times they've tended to be getting up around 120kgs. Some like Faumuina have been bigger.
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@tim I was just about to post that!
Has this been posted?
Why Ben Lam missed out on All Blacks spot
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.
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@bones said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim I was just about to post that!
Has this been posted?
Why Ben Lam missed out on All Blacks spot
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.
'Player doesn't get picked because incumbents have been there and done that'
Shit, what a scoop.
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@bones said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim I was just about to post that!
Has this been posted?
Why Ben Lam missed out on All Blacks spot
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.
From the quotes in that, which could just be selective, it sounds like Lam was in direct competition with Reiko and Naholo and not so much NMS.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
Tu’inukuafe has a reputation of being a very good scrummager, which was one of the main reasons that the Chiefs brought him in. I'm sure the Chiefs will want to keep him and add another to the list of one that got away from the Blues.
More than just reputation. He conducted himself well against Wilco Louw (Stormers) and Forearm Franks, whom I'm sure was asked his opinion by the AB selectors. In fact a step up in this department from Perry.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
"including All Blacks' test series against France". WTF, they're dropping like flies!
Cue Todd training with squad as precaution. Crafty AB selectors getting 35 in squad for price of 32 -- cake and?
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@broughie said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer Because we need to develop the squad. Crockett has retired. Next please.
One area the French team isn't injury weakened is prop. It could be a steep 'learning'?!
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@pakman said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
Tu’inukuafe has a reputation of being a very good scrummager, which was one of the main reasons that the Chiefs brought him in. I'm sure the Chiefs will want to keep him and add another to the list of one that got away from the Blues.
More than just reputation. He conducted himself well against Wilco Louw (Stormers) and Forearm Franks, whom I'm sure was asked his opinion by the AB selectors. In fact a step up in this department from Perry.
Doesn't say much for our Super rugby selectors if that's the case.
Actually, I thought Perry went pretty well against Tu'ungafasi, which was what (I think) you were billing as his AB audition?
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@pakman said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
Tu’inukuafe has a reputation of being a very good scrummager, which was one of the main reasons that the Chiefs brought him in. I'm sure the Chiefs will want to keep him and add another to the list of one that got away from the Blues.
More than just reputation. He conducted himself well against Wilco Louw (Stormers) and Forearm Franks, whom I'm sure was asked his opinion by the AB selectors. In fact a step up in this department from Perry.
Actually, I thought Perry went pretty well against Tu'ungafasi, which was what (I think) you were billing as his AB audition?
Not me. Ofa is a great athlete, but borderline at scrum time. And check out his twitter photo -- he's the shrimp of the family!!! -
@arhs said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Poirot is suspended and unavailable isn't he? And Ben Arous and Gomes Sa likely to be involved in French final. If they are, it might be a good time to try out Tuinukuafe as France may be down 3 leading props.
Yes, Poirot out -- but isn't he a LH?
Slimani will probably be the starting TH, and a bloody good one, but Moody will be there to deal with him. Antonio likely off the bench. I expect Ofa to get bench LH in first, and probably second test, but if Tuinukuafe did come up against Antonio he's not renowned as a good scrummager at international level. They could exchange Wesley College 'pleasantries' though!
By third test, Gomes Sa will be in side. Very mobile prop, and although not a technician his strength and bulk make him no slouch at scrum time.
