2019 Rugby Championship

[Machpants]

Shit I'm blind: my guess updated at mid SR season

What's coming up:

Super Rugby Final 6 July
decent gap to >

21 Jul Argentina v All Blacks Buenos Aires 6:05 AM
27 Jul All Blacks v South Africa Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7:35 PM
10 Aug Australia v All Blacks Perth 10:00 PM
17 Aug All Blacks v Australia Eden Park, Auckland 7:35 PM

So away, home, away, home then a warm up vs Tonga
07 Sep All Blacks v Tonga FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton 2:35 PM
The RWC vs Boks on the 21st

Google couldn't tell me the squad naming deadline, hopefully it is not before 17 August, and I think it is after, 3 weeks before the Cup starts on the 31st of August or so. Unlike previous years there seems to be more time for squad camps, rests, etc from SR>RC>warm up>RWC

33 named for last year's RC squad, so I guess similar this year - unless they go to RWC sized 31 man squad because of a shortened RC series, but I think they'll name 33 to give them some options - like a 3rd #10 who won't go to RWC unless there's an emergency

My guess: BOLD last RWC
Hookers (3)
Taylor, Coles, Harris

Props (5)
Moody, Franks, Karl T, Ofa T, Nepo L

Locks (4)
BBBR, Whitelock, Little barrett, Pat T

Loose Forwards (6, one to drop RWC)
Read, Cane, Ardie, Frizzell, Squire, Akira

Halfbacks (3)
Smith, Tj, TTT

1st Fives (3, Black to drop RWC)
Beaudy, Mo'unga, Black

Midfielders (4)
SBW, ALB, Goodhue, Crotty

Outside/Utility backs (5)
BFA, Ioane, Jordie, Havili, Bridge

This is what I expect to see, as it stands, obviously things can change. There is also, worryingly, a lot of space as the squad is not settled like 2011/15. I also expect a lot to be with the squad training for the entire period they can, esp so they can do full team opposed runs & spread the current knowledge for emergency replacements

[dogmeat]

I really really need to post the insiders thoughts that I've been meaning to since Dec or it'll be too late.

As a taster They don't rate Akira because he's a lazy penalty magnet (my words). What he does he does well but one of the KPI's they place a lot of emphasis on is how quickly someone gets up from a ruck and apparently he's one of the worst around. Can't play the AB game if half the time you're sitting on your arse (my words again)

[Machpants]

@dogmeat tease

[Nepia]

@dogmeat I see a problem with their reasoning. We’re constantly told he doesn’t go to rucks, now we’re being told he takes too long to get up from the rucks he doesn’t go to. 😉

[Bones]

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@dogmeat I see a problem with their reasoning. We’re constantly told he doesn’t go to rucks, now we’re being told he takes too long to get up from the rucks he doesn’t go to. 😉

Think it's more to do with the expression on his face when getting up.

[antipodean]

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@dogmeat I see a problem with their reasoning. We’re constantly told he doesn’t go to rucks, now we’re being told he takes too long to get up from the rucks he doesn’t go to. 😉

Well he doesn't go to rucks because the few he has the fortune to attend, it takes him several phases before he's on his feet for the next one that forms around him.

[taniwharugby]

it's cos the rucks he attends are behind the gainline cleaning up after Parsons...must be tiring.

[Tim]

All Blacks Watch - How are New Zealand's hookers faring in Super Rugby?

We're now past the half-way point in Super Rugby and the All Blacks selectors will be slowly inking in their initial squad for the Rugby Championship. How are New Zealand's hooking incumbents performing, and could anyone still force their way into selection?

[Tim]

Stuff

[Canes4life]

@Tim Will Jordan and Tom Robinson?

[Tim]

@Canes4life That was a contribution from the writer, not a quote from Hansen.

[Canes4life]

@Tim haha right, shouldn't have just assumed from the click bait intro.

[Tim]

@Canes4life Ha ha, they did it even though Hansen went to pains to emphasize that he wouldn't name anyone.

[Machpants]

2 or 3 surprises. So does that mean 2 or 3 players beyond the multitudes that have already either been capped, played a match, been in a training squad, or Akira? Because none of those would be a surprise

[allblacksfan72]

My guess is Braydon Ennor must be impressing!

[booboo]

Would love to see Nanai in the mix

[Billy Tell]

@booboo said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Would love to see Nanai in the mix

Why? He's heading overseas. He's good but not so good that he will force himself into a farewell RWC squad.

[booboo]

@Billy-Tell said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@booboo said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Would love to see Nanai in the mix

Why? He's heading overseas. He's good but not so good that he will force himself into a farewell RWC squad.

You'd think he has an out clause

[gt12]

@booboo

I think he’s re-found the form he needed to show about 2 years ago (thanks Tana!), so it’s probably too late for him to really get established before he runs out of gas; there are too many really good young outsides coming. I know he’s only 25, but most top out at 27, so that’s not much time; he’d be unlikely for the next RWC, for example.

That’s a shame for the Blues as he is a key piece of their puzzle right now. If I were him, I’d go get paid.

[Machpants]

As much as I am a Canes fan, on song Smith is untouchable

Analysis: Aaron Smith is undoubtedly the All Blacks' best halfback option

His season so far has been disrupted by All Black-resting protocols, but his performance against the Chiefs was critical to powering the Highlanders’ attack, and was a timely reminder of how important he will be to the All Blacks.

They are a great 1/2, quite different, and I can't wait for TJ to top Homophobe to SR top try record