AB EOYT 2018

[Frank]

51 players.
Unlucky Akira, you were the 52nd.
Honest mate.

[Bovidae]

@crucial
Ta'avao is only a TH unless you are suggesting Ofa play at LH.

Would they select Laulala in an enlarged squad after only one M10 Cup game?

[Crucial]

Just caught up with other news and I guess that the 29 will include a bunch of known players returning from injury such as Laulala and Coles

[Crucial]

@bovidae said in AB EOYT 2018:

@crucial
Ta'avao is only a TH unless you are suggesting Ofa play at LH.

Would they select Laulala in an enlarged squad after only one M10 Cup game?

Yeah. I guess one of Moody/Karl plays in Japan with Angus in the squad as a benchy

[Crucial]

There must be some NPC coaches out there sweating on their finals plans.

[Crucial]

Some random names to throw into the mix

Faddes
Koroi
Rayasi
Nabura
Hunt

I assume that ACTC will nominate the complete Canterbury NPC side.

[Crucial]

@rocky-rockbottom said in AB EOYT 2018:

@frank said in AB EOYT 2018:

51 players.
Unlucky Akira, you were the 52nd.
Honest mate.

If he winds up having a Hika Elliot-type AB career then I am calling goddamn Interpol so they can start criminal proceedings.

Don't worry, he could be another Monkley and end up with having a medal named after him.

[Crucial]

On another EOYT matter, just had a look at tickets for Rome and there are still plenty available.
If airfares and accom aren't too pricy this could be a weekender.

[Bovidae]

@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:

Some random names to throw into the mix

Faddes
Koroi
Rayasi
Nabura
Hunt

The other players involved in the French XV game last year would be a good starting point for the extras:

Toomaga-Allen
Moli (injured)
Aumua
Bird (overseas)
Hunt
A Ioane
Drummond (could be Weber or Hall)
Tamanivalu (going overseas)
Duffie
Havili

A good chance to look at Alaimalo and Bridge.

[gt12]

So, the magic number is 51, apparently.

No idea, but here is a start to a list:

Forwards:

Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Asafo Aumua/Andrew Makalio/Ricky Riccitelli
Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Tim Perry, + Bolter? (???)
Owen Franks, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao, JTA
Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano/ or Bolter? (???)
Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Vaea Fifita
Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Gareth Evans/ Dillon Hunt (Matt Todd for Japan only?)
Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock, Akira Ioane

Backs:
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber, Bryn Hall
Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, + Bolter? (Black, Perofeta, Hunt)
Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Rob Thompson/Matt Proctor/Bolter? (Faddes/???)
Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Alaimalo/George Bridge/Ben Lam
Smith, Jordie Barrett, David Havili/Bolter? (Will Jordan)

[Rapido]

Remember when we all laughed at Woodward's giant Lions squad of 2005?

[Tim]

The form hookers are Makalio and Abel. Are either good enough to tour?

[ACT Crusader]

@frank said in AB EOYT 2018:

51 players.
Unlucky Akira, you were the 52nd.
Honest mate.

53rd. The 7th choice blindside at the Highlanders will be 52nd.

[ACT Crusader]

@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:

Some random names to throw into the mix

Faddes
Koroi
Rayasi
Nabura
Hunt

I assume that ACTC will nominate the complete Canterbury NPC side.

It’s a 51 man squad even I’ll struggle to find that many Saders/Cantabs. A couple of token Canes and Chiefs to fill the gaps.

[taniwharugby]

@crucial id say the fringe players they might take will still be available for finals, many will barely play.

As a bolter lock in a squad like this, I reckon Josh Goodhue will be on thier radar.

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:

As a bolter lock in a squad like this, I reckon Josh Goodhue will be on thier radar.

I'd say Strange and Lousi are ahead of him.

@gt12 If they use some Japan-based players then Franklin and Dixon are also options.

[Tim]

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Inside knowledge?

[nzzp]

@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

If they gut the finals sides for the ABs, I'll be less than impressed. It will reinforce that this competition is worthless as a comp, and only exists as a feeder for Super.

[Bovidae]

@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae Whetton has outplayed them all.

But hasn't any Super rugby pedigree yet.

Would they pick players who have yet to perform at the next level?