AB squad for the Rugby Championship
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@Nepia said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Last year I was shaking my head at Frizell's selection, this year I'm shaking my head at his non selection.
I like Jacobson though, and Papali'i - wouldn't have minded if they'd kept either of them.
Yeah - I'm pretty startled at Shannon's non-selection. I'd have thought he'd have had a spot locked up.
Of note is that Scott Barrett has returned to replace Retallick.
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@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Moli has only recently converted to LH, and that was a directive from the AB coaches. He is still learning his trade.
I guess this also helps explain why Tim Perry is still seemingly in the frame.
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I’m a bit uncomfortable with Ioane remaining uncapped.
If BB or RM go down, an uncapped 10 on the bench in a knockout match makes me nervous.
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@Higgins said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Here is a left field suggestion. Maybe Frizell has been left out because the three selectors have decided he is a certainty for the World Cup and they are playing off the remaining two No 6s to see which will be his back up?
The short video clip from Hansen's press conference doesn't sound like it. Would be a very strange decision to omit a rookie because he was a certainty.
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@Billy-Tell I think there's a good chance that in that scenario, the remaing ten will play 80 minutes and Ioane (if they bring him into the squad) will only take the field if the game is in the bag or the remaining 10 goes down himself. Or they use another squad player as back-up on the bench (Jordie, TJP, Crotty, for example).
But yes, I agree, it would have been preferable if he got game time, but I guess he wasn't ready. He'll stay in camp though.
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@nzzp said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
They need to explore all options in these Bledisloe Cup games. The Aust scrum is strong when they have their best props playing.
@nta will be on that like a rash! You're spot on - their set piece has been ok for some time now, but unfairly maligned based on past performance. Kind of like the AB lineout; it's been ages since we were rubbish, but I still get legacy squeaky bum at critical times...
Haven't watched a Wallabies match so far, but others are talking about how we dished up the argies but got spanked by the Boks. 🤔
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There better be a fucking plan here, because from my cheap seat, it looks like we have a complete muddle in the back row.
We have three 7s in the team, which is too many given we only picked 6 players. However almost understandable given our two best 7s you could argue could also be our best 6 and 8. Our starting 8 is a faded force. One option at 6 is a proven failure. The other dude is a promising but super green rookie. And we have zero continuity to build any combination.
In my eyes the only way this makes sense is if Read is playing 6. In which case the point of Fifita is?
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@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
In my eyes the only way this makes sense is if Read is playing 6. In which case the point of Fifita is?
7: Cane, Todd
8: Savea, Jacobson
6: Read, FafitaMaybe that's what they are thinking??
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@Duluth said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
In my eyes the only way this makes sense is if Read is playing 6. In which case the point of Fifita is?
7: Cane, Todd
8: Savea, Jacobson
6: Read, FafitaMaybe that's what they are thinking??
when i read it like that...
... it still doesn't make sense.
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@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
There better be a fucking plan here, because from my cheap seat, it looks like we have a complete muddle in the back row.
We have three 7s in the team, which is too many given we only picked 6 players. However almost understandable given our two best 7s you could argue could also be our best 6 and 8. Our starting 8 is a faded force. One option at 6 is a proven failure. The other dude is a promising but super green rookie. And we have zero continuity to build any combination.
In my eyes the only way this makes sense is if Read is playing 6. In which case the point of Fifita is?
You kind of have to assume that Fifita is doing what they asked him to do - stand in the wide channel and not get involved. While maybe Frizell wasn't playing to their pattern by following play and being involved?
I'm f*cked if I know. They've expended a lot of tests to get to where we are. I'd assume....
- Fifita, Jacobson - plus Hemopo and Barrett
- Cane, Todd
- Read, Savea
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Fifita is still in the squad? I don't understand modern rugby anymore.
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@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The only explanation I can come up with for Fifita is that he is lock cover for Bledisloe with Scott Barrett still coming back from injury.
i could buy that, if they didn't also take 4 locks, two of whom could be viewed as lock/6s
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Well it appears my first reaction to that squad was the same as everyone elses. Fifita? WTF?
They have lost the plot over the last few years when trying to plan for Kaino’s departure.
Elliot Dixon in and out, Luatua in and out, Squire all the chances in the world despite being shit, fifita all the chances in the world despite being shit, Frizzell in from nowhere then out, Barrett maybe we will use him but not given many chances, Hemopo selected as a 6 but now listed as a lock also given bugger all chances despite showing promise, Papalii in then out, Akira never given a chance despite good form, Jacobson in then......What is the bet they now try Cane, Read or Ardie there? That is the only reason i can see them picking Todd.
Will be interesting to see what they do at 14 too. Some of those guys need to be tested.
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@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The only explanation I can come up with for Fifita is that he is lock cover for Bledisloe with Scott Barrett still coming back from injury.
i could buy that, if they didn't also take 4 locks, two of whom could be viewed as lock/6s
Yeah in this scenario if Scott Barrett isn't ready for Bledisloe 1, then one of the other 3 locks gets nicked before the game they'll need someone to cover lock.
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@pukunui said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Well it appears my first reaction to that squad was the same as everyone elses. Fifita? WTF?
They have lost the plot over the last few years when trying to plan for Kaino’s departure.
Elliot Dixon in and out, Luatua in and out, Squire all the chances in the world despite being shit, fifita all the chances in the world despite being shit, Frizzell in from nowhere then out, Barrett maybe we will use him but not given many chances, Hemopo selected as a 6 but now listed as a lock also given bugger all chances despite showing promise, Papalii in then out, Akira never given a chance despite good form, Jacobson in then......What is the bet they now try Cane, Read or Ardie there? That is the only reason i can see them picking Todd.
Will be interesting to see what they do at 14 too. Some of those guys need to be tested.
Glad I'm not the only one thinking this.
I really think it's time for a cleanout with coaching after the cup.I'd really like to see some fresh ideas and some innovation,
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@Darren I'll judge them on RWC. If they have a master plan that succeeds, brilliant and I'll acknowledge that I'm not the rugby savant I thought I was. But the pitchfork is ready.
