AB RWC squad
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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)
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@Hooroo said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
So a couple of days out my pick of who I think will go is:
I bet you're wrong!
Though I can't specifically say exactly where...
There's at least six players in your list who I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see miss out - though to be fair half of them are in the "three from four" propping equation.
I guess we'll find out tomorrow... if SM is up to his usual standard!
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@Chris-B said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Hooroo said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
So a couple of days out my pick of who I think will go is:
I bet you're wrong!
Though I can't specifically say exactly where...
There's at least six players in your list who I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see miss out - though to be fair half of them are in the "three from four" propping equation.
I guess we'll find out tomorrow... if SM is up to his usual standard!
My "surprise" pick is Big Karl. I think the selectors will want him back to shore up the scrum in Franks omission.
