AB RWC squad
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@Duluth said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I disagree. Hansen isn't coach next year and it's position that is weak.
Assuming whatever it is was significant enough to keep him out of the squad so far this year, surely if it continues it's going to have an effect on his game and I'm not particularly sure a somewhat diminished Squire solves much of anything at 6.
Maybe the best course of action is leave him at home knowing he is first cab off the rank etc?
Based on Shag's previous selections it's likely less about him begging or trying to convince Squire and it's more about him saying "If you tell me you are up to it we will pick you and back you 100%, but if you aren't that is OK and we will give you every chance to get there".
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There's a lot of assumptions in your post
If the story I heard is true and the situation has improved to the point he is allowed to tour - that's great.
I wouldn't assume it would affect his form on the field going forward.If he's available, it's just a matter of deciding if he is a better option than Fafita (or whoever else misses out)
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My every sympathy to Liam Squire if he is facing something particularly challenging in his off-field life.
Leaving that aside, is he playing well enough to be selected for the All Blacks? Is he likely to be able to contribute better to the World Cup campaign than the other backrow players who will not be selected?
If the answer to both these is "yes" then he deserves his place in Japan.
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@pakman said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Be careful, man!
My impression is TWM know where they're going on LH, and given the squad the implication is Moli in.
That said, the article would suggest that against Namibia Ta'Avao will ride the pine as back up to Ofa at LH???!!!
Yeah - I've mulled that option over during the last few days and it's not a completely stupid one as long as they are prepared to take the risk that they might need Angus to be the bench loosehead in a big game. On the other hand, if the alternative is Atu Moli and he's not yet ready for the job, then it's really "choose your poison" and hope that Joe Moody and Ofa stay fit.
I wonder how the Croczilla's calf recovery is going and whether Hansen still has his phone number?
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@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I wonder how the Croczilla's calf recovery is going and whether Hansen still has his phone number?
why? are we desperate to make our discipline problem worse?
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@mariner4life On the other hand, it might be handy to have a loosehead prop. Any loosehead prop...
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@gt12 Who knows.
They cut him in the first round of cuts and Hansen's comments at the time made it seem like it wasn't going to be easy for those guys to make it back in.
Wouldn't surprise me if they've got Cron on a near full time assignment helping Ta'avao improve as a loosehead.
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@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@gt12 Who knows.
They cut him in the first round of cuts and Hansen's comments at the time made it seem like it wasn't going to be easy for those guys to make it back in.
Wouldn't surprise me if they've got Cron on a near full time assignment helping Ta'avao improve as a loosehead.
I thought his cut was due to game time reasons more than a straight you're gone.
Is Crockzilla still playing? Is he the token homegrown player in the Invitational XV?
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@gt12 I just read this on the stuff website as well.
On reflection, I think these guys are going to be right (I think they've all picked the same eight players).
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@Nepia Wyatt did his calf (I think) in the warm-up vs Otago.
Ta$man has a heap of homegrown players and just about everyone else in the squad made their provincial debuts for Ta$man.
Being the smartest people in New Zealand makes us excellent recruiters.
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Moli will make it as extra loosehead cover. Karl T is not fit enough. One of Franks and Ta'aevo isn't going.
Looseheads: Moody, Ofa T, Moli
Tightheads: Moody, Franks/Ta'aevo, Ofa T.They'll only take 5 tho, and 4 locks this time cos BBBR, so not 3 each
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Did you watch any of those games? He got fucking owned.
My problem isn't him playing against Canada - my problem is if Moody or Ofa get injured on the day of a game and he has to play against SA or Ireland etc.
We should just take two THs, two LHs, and Ofa.
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@gt12 Can't really disagree with you - but, seems like we're struggling to find that second specialist loosehead.
I'm picking they've got Cron working intensively with Angus and that's their preferred option.
But, that's mainly based on Hansen saying that tighthead, six and the midfield have been the biggest selection challenges.
Maybe they've locked in Moli or Karl, but somehow it doesn't seem like it.
