AB squad for the Rugby Championship
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ Who says Todd won't start in pool games (if Ardie is starting at 8 ) and Read gets a rest?
He almost certainly will. You could easily play Jacobson or Papalii at 7 in the tier 2 pool games though.
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@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
But they need one at 7?
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@nzzp said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
He's taken himself off the table - non rugby related issues seems to be the challenge.
Plus, how do you get fitness back into him with only 2 months left. WOuld be a challenge even if he came right straight away
did he leave himself open for RWC? I can't remember what the messaging around him was.
I think for a loosie it's much easier to maintain or get your fitness to the right level.. it's the match fitness that the tighties really need to get.
Shag would surely be hoping for him to come back based on what we've seen from the blokes who've been given their chance thus far..
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
But they need one at 7?
No? So the 3rd ranked specialist 7 is not required.
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@WillieTheWaiter I'm waiting to see if Squire gets named in the Mako team to play Otago on Friday night.
Frizell got an exemption to play in the Nelson club final, but Squire didn't play (I think they're both registered to Nelson Marist).
Mako played a warm-up vs Canterbury last weekend, Squire didn't play.
Doesn't seem like what would be happening if Liam was desperately trying to get match fit.
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@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
I made this prediction a while ago.
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@canefan said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Chris-B didn't I read that Squire had personal issues too? Seems like rugby is not his #1 priority right now
i can't beleive no one on here has the inside word.
the Southern wing of this organisation is farking useless!
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@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
I made this prediction a while ago.
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
Two selections I don’t get: Todd and Fifita. Beyond that, I can see the rationale for everyone else.
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@gt12 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
They need to explore all options in these Bledisloe Cup games. The Aust scrum is strong when they have their best props playing.
Moli has only recently converted to LH, and that was a directive from the AB coaches. He is still learning his trade.
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@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...
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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.
