World Cup Squad Positions
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@Yeetyaah said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Machpants I like the look of that team. Problem again is that SBW is guaranteed a spot.
a tyro loose forward (Jacobsen) who hasn't played at the top level? No thanks.
They'll take Hemopo or Savea or Whitelock (L) before him ... forwards are not going to get picked for the RWC without experience.
Outside backs, on the other hand, could go full NMS
Edit: By Savea, I meant Ioane of course. Posting tired and confusing families with top class wings and excellent loose forward brothers...
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@taniwharugby I think ALB's first game for the Chiefs was on the wing in 2014.
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I think they will take 5 props so add Laulalu
Drop Ennor or Havalli as they won’t take that many outside backs
Add Pat T instead of Jacobsen (too soon for him)as they will use Barrett as 6 cover especially in the lesser pool games
SBW will be picked one of those MF will drop out
Otherwise Dowds team is close
That’s who I think the selectors will pick not who I would -
@Machpants said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Craig Dowd, for an ex forward, loves his backs!
Craig Dowd's New Zealand World Cup squad:
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks;
Hookers: Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles;
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Back-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, David Havili, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
As you say at least one too many backs and one too few props.
Add Nepo Laulala and drop David Havili.
Then check your balance as to whether you need a 4th lock (Pat T) or a lock/6 (Fifita). And whether Jacobson and/or Ennor miss out.
At least.
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@booboo said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
It is a fecking awful squad 16 forwards & 15 backs
I'd add Gus Ta'avo from Chiefs as 5th prop can cover both sides like Ola T and is playing light out
Liam Coltman for Harris at Hooker
Replace Jacobsen with Hemepo
Drop Havilli from the sqaud
I'd add Angus Ta'avao from Chiefs as 5th prop can cover both sides like Ola T and is playing light out
Drop Ennor replace them with Tim Perry who'll be 3rd choice LH prop
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@Jaguares4real
Here's my 31 man Kiwi RWC squad with 18 forwards and 13 backs
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Angus Ta'avao, Tim Perry;
Hookers: Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles;
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Back-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Jackson Hemepo, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, George Bridge, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
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@MN5 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Bones said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I reckon Laumape could cover wing at a pinch too.
That's a fucken big pinch Bonesy
Because?
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@Jaguares4real said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Jaguares4real
Here's my 31 man Kiwi RWC squad with 18 forwards and 13 backs
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Angus Ta'avao, Tim Perry;
Hookers:
Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles; Nathan HarrisLocks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock,
Jackson HemepoPat TBack-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, , Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue,
Ngani LaumapeSBWOutside backs: Rieko Ioane, George Bridge, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
I understand that is what you would select but this is the more likely position..
Harris may not be popular with many but he has brownie points with the selecters and a proven record of being a strong scrummager especially in combination with Karl T and Angus T.
If they are going to take four locks they will opt for Pat T and have S Barrett as a potential lock/6
Someone in that midfield selection has to make way for SBW. I would ditch Crotty but I suspect he will stay due to experience and Ngani will be unlucky. -
@Crucial said in World Cup Squad Positions:
idfield s
You're right in that it's the 31 I'd would take to Japan
But the 3 amendments you've made are likely to take place
Hansen is a pick and stick kind of coach
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@Jaguares4real said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Crucial said in World Cup Squad Positions:
idfield s
You're right in that it's the 31 I'd would take to Japan
But the 3 amendments you've made are likely to take place
Hansen is a pick and stick kind of coach
Hansen and Co WILL make hard decisions if they feel they are necessary, but they also trust their ability to stick with proven selections and make them work in order to keep the bonus of experience.
RWCs have really borne out the edict that experience counts a lot to get through the knockout stages. -
pretty decent article.. squad seems about right
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@WillieTheWaiter yes, for the contentious decisions the arguments are pretty sound.
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I think there are one too many fullbacks and one two few 10s, which Jordie is not. I think they need three, as if Barrett is injured early but could be ready later in the tournament, you want two 10s there for the games until that time. I imagine that Josh Ioane will get his chance in the 4N. I'm also less than convinced that they will finally pick Akira Ioane.
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@WillieTheWaiter said in World Cup Squad Positions:
pretty decent article.. squad seems about right
Related but unrelated question ... is Cully the best rugby writer in NZ at the moment? Certainly is for me. Not bad for an Irish fella living in Dunedin who writes for the Sydney Morning Herald!
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@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I think there are one too many fullbacks and one two few 10s, which Jordie is not. I think they need three, as if Barrett is injured early but could be ready later in the tournament, you want two 10s there for the games until that time. I imagine that Josh Ioane will get his chance in the 4N. I'm also less than convinced that they will finally pick Akira Ioane.
There's certainly less noise this year.
