AB RWC squad
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@African-Monkey said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pukunui A lot of people get carried away on here after 1 performance.
Actually Reece was better in 2 tests on the right wing than Ben Smith was in his 2 tests on the right wing.
As for the squad - I reckon the final loose forward position is down to Squire vs Frizell. I don't think Hemopo will go.
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@nzzp said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@Rapido said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
IMO, you're already crazy if you only want go take 2 10s. If you still think that after watching Ritchie's shoulder get almost popped out then you're not safe to be out on the street.
They took 2 in 2011, 3 in 2015.
2 is viable - but you're risking two major injuries scuppering the campaign. The dropoff from Richie to Josh is massive - so I suspect we'll see BB starting, Bender at the back, and then Ioane and either Bridge or Reece depending on who they want to take over.
Geography plays a part. Japan is similar time zone and one plane = two x 10.
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Sparky's All Black RWC squad
Props: Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, 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, Matt Todd
Half Backs: TJ Perenera, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber
First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Leinert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams
Back Three: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Reiko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Some very tough decisions ahead for the selectors to get it down to 31.
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@Crucial said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@canefan said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
A few boys whose futures weren't assured punched their tickets to Japan tonight. Bridge, Reece, SBW, Patty T all rocked. Laumape looks like just missing out, JB strengthened his case with a nice cameo. The picture feels like its becoming clearer
I think Laumape will get the nod over an unlucky Crotty. Would be pretty unfair to ditch a guy doing nothing wrong for someone who hasn’t played and may take time to get up to speed.
Also, if SBW is the game plan for the midfield balance then Laumape is a better like for like.Back three will be interesting. I guess that BB allows an extra because he counts as a 10 but with Bender not likely to be dropped there is room for 3 more from Rieko, JB, Bridge and Reece. (Ennor not required)
I’m pretty sure Reece is the X factor that always pops up just before the RWC. The TWM will know more about Rieko’s headspace and whether he has hit a wall very early (lesson learned from Julian Savea?) but without him we lack punch should Reece get injured and Bridge is also then the only real left wing option.
That kind of points to only one of Bridge and JB going.Stuff article just out suggests Crotty playing in Tonga test, and that Saturday has led to some hard decisions, which I interpret as meaning Nani is the unlucky loser. Also five 'back three', which means Jordie goes, but Ennor has to wait until next year.
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@ACT-Crusader said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I don’t see much similarity in Laumape and Sonny’s game. All of our midfielders take on the line but Sonny is a far more subtle than Laumape.
Michael Lynagh on Sky UK noted that SBW threat ties up two or more defenders to cover, thus leaving more space outside. There isn't anyone else that's LFL?
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@Stargazer I think he should be imo as he has slowed down dramatically but yes I think he'll still be picked.
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@westcoastie said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Forwards (17)
Laulala, Angus, Moody, Ofa, Franks
Coles, Taylor, Coltman
Whitelock, BBBR, SBarrett, Tuipolutou
Read, Savea, Cane, Todd + if available - Squire, if not - HemopoBacks (14)
TJP, Aaron, Weber
Mounga, BB (TJP could play 10 against minnows - no coincidence he played some time at 10 during Super Rugby)
SBW, ALB, Goodhue +1 (I want Laumape, but suspect Crotty)
Bridge, Reece, Rieko, Bender, JBarrettThat's going to be very close. I think you've got the backs.
In forwards, implication of Stuff article is that Ofa is being taken as utility, so two of Franks/Laulala/Ta'Avao, and I'd say that will come down to Franks/Ta'Avao after last night.
Intriguing what it means for second LH. Moli IMO not ready. So Perry or Tu'inukuafe.
And query over 4/5 or 3/6 lock/loosie split.
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Missing out IMHO on AB RWC squad:
Owen Franks: not doing enough around the park, nor tearing it up at scrum time any more. Enough experience elsewhere in the squad.
Karl T: Really unlucky with injury, fitness and health issues this year. Will be back in 2020.
Vaea Fifita : not enough structure to his game or workrate, not enough dominant tackles.
Jackson Hemopo: Too small for a Test lock, unproven in as a Test back row player.
Liam Squire: You don't opt out of the All Blacks in RWC in World Cup year then swan back in unless your form is exceptional. Not doing enough.
Josh Ioane: Unproven at Test level. Stays as test reserve.
Ngani Laumape: Tough call. Great with ball in hand, solid defence work, but doesn't have the passing skills of the four players ahead of him.
Braydon Ennor: Unlucky. Hasn't had chances to prove himself a Test player yet. Jordie Barrett's kicking game and passing just gives him the edge over Braydon. Great future ahead of him.
Mainly agree, but odds on one of those three loosies go. Then again why HAS Frizell been playing lock for Mako?
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@KiwiMurph said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@African-Monkey said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pukunui A lot of people get carried away on here after 1 performance.
Actually Reece was better in 2 tests on the right wing than Ben Smith was in his 2 tests on the right wing.
As for the squad - I reckon the final loose forward position is down to Squire vs Frizell. I don't think Hemopo will go.
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
Sparky's All Black RWC squad
Props: Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, 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, Matt Todd
Half Backs: TJ Perenera, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber
First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Leinert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams
Back Three: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Reiko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Some very tough decisions ahead for the selectors to get it down to 31.
That's going to be close, but I think it's a year too soon for Moli.
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@pakman Props will be Ofa T (can both sides to Test standard), the two looseheads and two tightheads.
2 from 3 of Laulala, Angus and Owen Franks at Tighthead. Owen not offering as much as the other two now.
Joe Moody is the starting Loosehead, but his backup is perhaps the hardest call for whole squad. Karl T isn't on top of his game and has had health and injury problems. Tim Perry hasn't played all year. Moli gets the nod,partly on potential. He will carve up against the minnows. Ofa T will be on the bench (as finisher when Moody goes off) for South Africa though.
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman Props will be Ofa T (can both sides to Test standard), the two looseheads and two tightheads.
2 from 3 of Laulala, Angus and Owen Franks at Tighthead. Owen not offering as much as the other two now.
Joe Moody is the starting Loosehead, but his backup is perhaps the hardest call for whole squad. Karl T isn't on top of his game and has had health and injury problems. Tim Perry hasn't played all year. Moli gets the nod,partly on potential. He will carve up against the minnows. Ofa T will be on the bench (as finisher when Moody goes off) for South Africa though.
It is probably the most interesting selection. Did you see this: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12259569
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@nzzp said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@canefan said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
I'm not sure I would trust anyone else outside the group other than BB and Richie. If it comes to that we will making do anyway and a replacement is only a flight away
Holidays in Japan coming up for some players
Isn't Todd contracted to play there? Frees up space on plane?
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@pakman I am not sure how to accommodate six backrow players. You could go for two half backs like England did and accommodate an extra backrow player, but big risk and I think Aaron Smith and TJP will need some rest across a long tournament.
Retallick's injury means we need four locks. Scott Barrett or even a fit BBBR could play backrow against Namibia or Canada.
Other option would be to leave behind Jordie or BFA. Jordie needed as third goal kicker. BFA clearly best fullback if BB injured.
