AB RWC squad
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Ben Smith is probably more at risk if they decide to take only 13 backs to accomodate 4 Locks and 6 Backrow players. Jordie Barrett will make it as the third-choice goalkicker and is playing well enough to justifying being in the squad.
I can't see them leaving either of Ben Smith or Rieko at home. After the weekend, Bridge and Reece must be pretty good shots, but I still wouldn't quite lock both of them in.
I think Jordie is most at risk in the back five, unless he's somehow pushed himself ahead of Ben Smith as the 2nd fullback option. I can't really see a crucial role for him - his biggest strength, I guess, is that he can plug in at a lot of positions in an absolute pinch, though really I wouldn't want to see him anywhere except fullback in a big RWC game.
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@Chris-B Jordie can play 12 or 13 against a Tier 2 team, but so could Ben Smith or Reiko Ioane. He could play 14 against a Tier 2 side, Italy or Scotland, but so could Ben Smith. Ben Smith is the more proven Fullback. Who would you rather have as Fullback against Australia, South Africa, France, Wales, England or Ireland? It's Ben Smith everytime.
Working in Jordie Barrett favour is his goal kicking. They will need a third goal-kicker in the squad alongside BB and Richie M. Jordie is probably more used to coming off the bench as well.
My guess is that both Ben Smith and Jordie Barrett will go to RWC 2019.
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@DrivingMaul said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@nzzp More likely 11 Bridge, 14 Smith, 15 Barrett
I can clearly tell you're English
There's a clear preference the coaches have (and that I agree with in principle) for a power winger along with a couple of fullback-style players. Playing three fullback type players isn't going to happen in a big game ... it'd be Rieko (most likely) or Reece (remote possibliity) as the power wing
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@sparky We're in agreement with Jordie vs Ben. I think the signs are also pointing that Jordie and Ben will both be going.
But, if I was a selector, I'd take Josh Ioane and not Jordie. Which is pretty harsh on Jordie, but no more than several others. I see more value in having a third first five compared to a third fullback.
I think a 31 man squad is designed to allow 23 in the matchday team, plus eight spares - particularly in case someone gets injured the day before the match - one of each of: prop, hooker, lock, loose-forward, halfback, first five, midfielder, outside back.
If Beauden is playing fullback and say Rieko and Reece are the starting wings, Ben Smith is on the bench and Bridge is the spare - Jordie is the second spare.
But, we don't have any specialist back up at first five if Richie or Beauden gets injured the day before. We're just hoping whichever first five is left will be able to play 80 minutes.
Doesn't seem balanced to me.
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@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@sparky We're in agreement with Jordie vs Ben. I think the signs are also pointing that Jordie and Ben will both be going.
But, if I was a selector, I'd take Josh Ioane and not Jordie. Which is pretty harsh on Jordie, but no more than several others. I see more value in having a third first five compared to a third fullback.
I think a 31 man squad is designed to allow 23 in the matchday team, plus eight spares - particularly in case someone gets injured the day before the match - one of each of: prop, hooker, lock, loose-forward, halfback, first five, midfielder, outside back.
If Beauden is playing fullback and say Rieko and Reece are the starting wings, Ben Smith is on the bench and Bridge is the spare - Jordie is the second spare.
But, we don't have any specialist back up at first five if Richie or Beauden gets injured the day before. We're just hoping whichever first five is left will be able to play 80 minutes.
Doesn't seem balanced to me.
Jordie will be injured at end of pool section.
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@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman Hansen with a sacrifice bunt to the kneecap?
With Richie and Beauden slated to play a lot of minutes across eight tests it will be pretty surprising if one of them doesn't pick up some sort of injury along the way.
Maybe they will rotate them through the group matches after SA?
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I may have been told last November by someone who may be a world cup winning 10 and current selector that Bridge was almost certainly going to Japan and that it might be a season too far for a certain long serving prop. Allegedly...
That conversation which I never did get around to writing up (too late now) suggests that the TWM actually have been working to a plan and may even know what they're doing; hard though it is to imagine that they could do a better job than the collective wisdom of The Fern.
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@dogmeat said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
.....suggests that the TWM actually have been working to a plan and may even know what they're doing; hard though it is to imagine that they could do a better job than the collective wisdom of The Fern.
Sez you!
Feckers have got a 50% winning record this year, which is marginally better than Ivan Vodanovich.
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@dogmeat said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I may have been told last November by someone who may be a world cup winning 10 and current selector that Bridge was almost certainly going to Japan and that it might be a season too far for a certain long serving prop. Allegedly...
That conversation which I never did get around to writing up (too late now) suggests that the TWM actually have been working to a plan and may even know what they're doing; hard though it is to imagine that they could do a better job than the collective wisdom of The Fern.
#trusttheprocess
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Jordie brings back a few memories of Toeava,
maligned but the coaches seem to like him .His versatility could come in handy in a WC , I can remember toeava doing a similar thing in 11, think he played fb, wing and midfield in pool games, allowed us to rest players with niggles.
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@kiwiinmelb Jordie and Ice. Two players that looked/look best at 12 but hardly ever play/played there!
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@KiwiMurph said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@kiwiinmelb Jordie and Ice. Two players that looked/look best at 12 but hardly ever play/played there!
They hardly ever play there but are best there?
Somehow quite a few selectors must disagree -
@SammyC said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I think Jordie will be on the bench for the big games.
If it's tight and we need a 50 metre penalty goal he's the only one in the squad capable.
If it's tight he's the guy most likely to make a game losing clanger from where I'm sitting.
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AB squad to be announced from Eden Park at midday next Wednesday:
