AB RWC squad
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@rotated said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@nzzp said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Bovidae said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I hope that is the situation. This isn't the time for sentiment.
The NZ selector's give some players rope (Reado), but wield the axe mercilessly otherwise. Dagg and Jane at RWC2015; Dagg starting voer Mills in 2011 ... they'll give yo uthe chance to show the attributes they like, but if you're surpassed it's sayonara baby
Outside backs are different though - once they lose their ability to beat the man with power/pace it's over. Whereas with Read you get the feeling he is just shot to piece physically but still has all the tools and can be nursed along to wind back the clock for a couple of performances.
Mils was never supplanted by Dagg, but the general consensus was that the change would have happened anyway had Mils not been injured in the QF.
They do have their favourites though. Obviously they subscribe to the theory that outside backs peak early and steadily decline (thus NMS/Naholo last time, Ioane for the Lions, Bridge/Reece this time) - but for whatever reason they persevered with Savea after he turned to custard. The Fifita/Moli parallels are obvious too.
I do believe wingers are different too , when their confidence goes , they can look like spectators out there,you want your wingers to look like they want the ball in their hands
I’ve got a feeling right now the back 3 that played at eden park is the one in front ,with reiko not out of the picture completely yet .
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@Crucial said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman Yeah - and I'd be happy enough with that logic, but I'm struggling to get around that they cut Karl from the squad, so it seems he's on the outer.
It would be interesting to know what they're seeing inside the camp in regard to these guys. They'll have a great deal more information than us. I'd think prop is the hardest position to pick from the TV
Karl had a pretty bad illness that sapped his energy and reduced his fitness. He was just coming back from that when he got injured.
He was dropped because he couldn’t play not for other reasons?https://www.msn.com/en-nz/sport/rugby-union/if-they-need-me-im-ready-karl-tuinukuafes-world-cup-hopes-still-alive-following-all-blacks-axing/ar-AAGfTNL -
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I find these sorts of comments about Squire from the article really odd:
"Hansen could have told Squire he had burned his bridges by not making himself available for the All Blacks from the outset."
There has been similar sentiment on here but why? Squire didn't feel that he was up to playing test rugby (for whatever reason) and stood himself down. If I wasn't 100% mentally or physically fit, couldn't give my best for my country / job, I would give my boss a call too.
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@Snowy said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I find these sorts of comments about Squire from the article really odd:
"Hansen could have told Squire he had burned his bridges by not making himself available for the All Blacks from the outset."
There has been similar sentiment on here but why? Squire didn't feel that he was up to playing test rugby (for whatever reason) and stood himself down. If I wasn't 100% mentally or physically fit, couldn't give my best for my country / job, I would give my boss a call too.
I hear you there, so for me it rules him out for the biggest stage this year. We can't have question marks around mental strength so close to kick off.
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Players aren't robots. If he had some personal issues to deal with, then he did the right thing taking time to sort it out. If it's all sorted now, more depth is a good thing.
@Hooroo taking a decent player even at 90% mentally is better than a rubbish player like Fifita.
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@Machpants said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
We just don't have the info, so if the TWM are fine with it- then I am. He's been playing fine for Ta$man, getting some time in the squad and vs Tonga and he should be good to go.
Yep, and we don't have a lot of other options. Keep going with the 2 or 3 sevens, which may be preferred anyway.
The team also have a psychologist to deal with this sort of thing - if that's what it was.
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@Snowy said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I find these sorts of comments about Squire from the article really odd:
"Hansen could have told Squire he had burned his bridges by not making himself available for the All Blacks from the outset."
There has been similar sentiment on here but why? Squire didn't feel that he was up to playing test rugby (for whatever reason) and stood himself down. If I wasn't 100% mentally or physically fit, couldn't give my best for my country / job, I would give my boss a call too.
Brad Thorn turned down the jersey. Different reasons, but not without similarity — his head was telling him he wasn’t prepared and he wasn’t ready.
When his head was ready, he was focused, locked-in and became an All Black Great.
If Squire is selected, I cross my fingers and expect him to step-up Big Time.
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Even if Squire is back I doubt he'll be in their test XV now with the Savea-Cane-Read trio the preferred option. But he would be invaluable in the squad with the ability to slip into 6 or 8 if one of the other 3 doesn't play. Squire might also replace Todd on the bench, which seems a better option to me.
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@Kirwan said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Players aren't robots. If he had some personal issues to deal with, then he did the right thing taking time to sort it out. If it's all sorted now, more depth is a good thing.
@Hooroo taking a decent player even at 90% mentally is better than a rubbish player like Fifita.
Absolutely. In my head Fifita isn't going either.
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So a couple of days out my pick of who I think will go is:
Props: Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu' nukuafi(SP), Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Hooker: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuitupolou, Sam Whitelock
Back Row: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire
Half Backs: TJ Perenera, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber
First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga
Midfield: Laumape, Jack Goodhue, Anton Leinert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams
Back Three: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Reiko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
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@Bovidae said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Even if Squire is back I doubt he'll be in their test XV now with the Savea-Cane-Read trio the preferred option. But he would be invaluable in the squad with the ability to slip into 6 or 8 if one of the other 3 doesn't play. Squire might also replace Todd on the bench, which seems a better option to me.
He's apparently 1.96 m, so could slide into lock as well for a pinch. 6foot 5 in old money
Kind of a reverse Scott Barrett...
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@Bovidae said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Hooroo I'd be happy with that team. But...
I think Crotty will be picked ahead of Laumape. Same for Todd over Jacobson.
Franks omission would be justified but I'm not so sure that will happen. We'll see.
I really don't want Franks there. Other two I can handle (especially Crotty as I would prefer him but I think they will go Laumape now)
