TRC squad
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@chris-b confirmed Taufua is gone
@stargazer said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Feeling sorry for the lad. Taufua deservedly called into the ABs in May, but couldn't play because of injury. If he had any chance of being called up for the RC, that chance is gone now, too. I know there's disagreement about whether he should be an AB or not, but this is just really tough luck.
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From Cully's squad...
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman
Props: Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett
Loose forwards:Vaea Fifita, Kieran Read, Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea/Matt Todd, Shannon Frizell, Luke Whitelock, Jordan Taufua
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane,Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake NaholoIf Read wasn't back I could see Akira Ioane taking Fifita's place - but, he's got to move two places up the pecking order, which is a bit questionable unless he was outstanding in camp. However, if Taufua is broken, I think Akira's a chance.
It's possible that they'll name a squad only for a couple of matches and rotate some of the midfielders in and out to retain an extra outside back - I'd still be doubtful that it would be NMS. I think all of Lam, Bridge and Alaimalo offer more. But, I can't see a lot of point in a fifth outside back, when already probably Naholo doesn't make the starting 23.
JTA maybe instead of Laulala - is Nepo playing club rugby yet?
If Coles is (almost) good to go as the media suggest, will they still take Coltman? If they do, there will be 4 hookers in the squad. It has been suggested in the media that if that happens, they'll reduce the number of loosies. Even with Taufua out, that might make Akira's chances slim.
Has TTT done enough to get a re-newed call-up? Could Hall be a bolter?
Things will get interesting if Ardie hasn't recovered enough for Bled I, and they can't keep Todd in NZ. Then they'd need to call up another 7 as back-up for Cane. Who? Evans?
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@taniwharugby Jeez - that is gutting for Taufua.
Well, let's hope they call up Akira instead so that the Blues fans can call off their campaign to rubbish every other loose forward who is not him.
@Stargazer I don't think they'd need to carry three other hookers if Coles is truly good to go - the third hooker is only there for a late emergency and Coles can do that. I'm also not convinced that Coltman should be the hooker to depart if Coles arrives.
TTT is a slightly unusual one. At least when Frizell has sat on the bench in recent times, he's been behind Whitelock and Squire. TTT has sat on the bench behind Weber! I think Hall is deserving of a shot somewhere along the line - seems to do most things pretty competently.
Evans would be a reasonable prospect. Hunt has been there before hasn't he? But Ardie was bracketed for last night's game and has another week before the team is named, so I think he'll be OK.
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I would select (but I am not a selector) but it won't happen :
Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Franks, Ofa-T, JTA (too early for Laulala)
Taylor, Coltman, Makalio
Retallick, Whitelock, Barrett
Squire, Cane, Hemopo, Todd, Read, Ioane
Smith, TJP, Hall
Barrett, DMac, Mo'unga
SBW, Crotty, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Smith, Barrett, Bridge -
I would select (but I am not a selector) but it won't happen :
Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Franks, Ofa-T, JTA (too early for Laulala)
Taylor, Coltman, Makalio
Retallick, Whitelock, Barrett
Squire, Cane, Hemopo, Todd, Read, Ioane
Smith, TJP, Hall
Barrett, DMac, Mo'unga
SBW, Crotty, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Smith, Barrett, BridgeThanks for clarifying you’re not one of the AB selectors. Now it’s clear for everyone
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I would select (but I am not a selector) but it won't happen :
Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Franks, Ofa-T, JTA (too early for Laulala)
Taylor, Coltman, Makalio
Retallick, Whitelock, Barrett
Squire, Cane, Hemopo, Todd, Read, Ioane
Smith, TJP, Hall
Barrett, DMac, Mo'unga
SBW, Crotty, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Smith, Barrett, BridgePretty good team there and I wouldn’t have too many grizzles if that team was selected until it comes to the last name on the list. I’m no Bridge hater like some on here, but Alaimalo >>>>>> Bridge
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How can Coles be in the discussion? When was the last time he played?
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I am still a fan of Ben Lam, I could not believe how much the Hurricanes ignored him over the past few weeks, Jordie Barrett in particular was guilty. IMHO when you have the opportunity to put him into space do it. I don't blame his workrate because he looks for the ball but ends up carrying in close quarters or moving bodies out of the way at rucks. Having Reiko and him on the wings could be devastating.
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@antipodean said in TRC squad:
How can Coles be in the discussion?
Throwing Coles onto the selection debate fire.
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@machpants I'm pleased the Wallabies are preparing better for the first Bledisloe than the last 2 years where we have blown them away. Wallabies will be eyeing up 1 win out of the first 2 to then take it to a Bledisloe decider in Japan later in the year. Shaping up nicely.
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@pakman I was interested to see which loosies Kirky would pick. Pretty dull selection - it's just replacing the injured Taufua with Read and there's no significant supporting discussion.
Ian Jones picked Tom Franklin yesterday, who is presumably not being considered because he's going/gone to Japan.
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@pakman I was interested to see which loosies Kirky would pick. Pretty dull selection - it's just replacing the injured Taufua with Read and there's no significant supporting discussion.
Ian Jones picked Tom Franklin yesterday, who is presumably not being considered because he's going/gone to Japan.
Interesting observation by Kirky at the end of the article on Akira.
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@act-crusader said in TRC squad:
@pakman I was interested to see which loosies Kirky would pick. Pretty dull selection - it's just replacing the injured Taufua with Read and there's no significant supporting discussion.
Ian Jones picked Tom Franklin yesterday, who is presumably not being considered because he's going/gone to Japan.
Interesting observation by Kirky at the end of the article on Akira.
very interesting. If by interesting you mean utter bullshit.
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@act-crusader I'm inclined to agree with M4L that with Kirky being in his 70s that might not be a detailed "observation", rather something he read in the newspaper.
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Given it looks like it was slapped on at the end suggests it was a bit of an afterthought if anything. What’s worse for the Auckland faithful, not selecting him and not mentioning him at all or not selecting him and making up stuff about a low work rate?
