AB RWC squad
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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.
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman I am not sure how to accommodate five 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.
Is Todd no longer contracted to Wild Knights?
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@sparky We will need at least 5 (One has to cover Lock) as BBR may not be back until really late too much work for 3 locks)The LF positions are massive collision area's we will get injuries amongst our LF's they may even take 6
2 HB's or 4 Ouside backs plus BB.If they take 6. -
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@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman Todd will be in the main squad IMHO. They are picking Ardie as a 6/8 so far this year. Todd is the main back-up Openside.
I don't disagree, but if it were me I'd rather have Luke Jacobson. My thinking is I'd want Ardie covering 7 against Boks & Poms, and Jacobson can cover 6 & 7 against more lightweight teams.
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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
Jackson Hemopo is due to start playing in Japan straight after RWC. Even if he doesn't make RWC 31 he might move home early to Japan, just in case.
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@pakman said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:
@pakman Todd will be in the main squad IMHO. They are picking Ardie as a 6/8 so far this year. Todd is the main back-up Openside.
I don't disagree, but if it were me I'd rather have Luke Jacobson. My thinking is I'd want Ardie covering 7 against Boks & Poms, and Jacobson can cover 6 & 7 against more lightweight teams.
For me key is the Scooter on bench can cover 4/6 against the big, slow teams and is lineout booster.
In those games Squire starts and Savea on bench.
Need someone to cover 7 against weaker teams if Savea or Cane rested.
Aganst lighter, faster, teams, if both Cane and Savea started then 7 is covered. Scooter or Read cover lock. Other bench loosie a hitter (Squire) or someone faster if pace the imperative. That's the real call for last place.
