AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?
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If a 32 man squad is retained for the next Spring, what could it look like ?
LHP : Moody, Tuinukuafe (if fit. If not, Hodgman ?)
THP : Lomax, Tu'ungafasi, Laulala
Hookers : Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Locks : Tuipolutu, Whitelock, Barrett (if fit. If not : ?)
Loose forwards : Robinson (If fit. If not, Grace or Ioane), Papali'i, Cane, Savea, Sotutu, Mikaele-Tuu
Halfbacks : Smith, Perenara, Weber
1st Fives : Mo'unga, Barrett
2nd Fives and Centres : Lienert-Brown, Goodhue, Ennor, Ioane
Back three : Clarke, Telea, Reece, Jordan, MacKenzie.
Utility back : Barrett (or Havili) -
Wrote down this squad and was going to post on another thread. A bit larger than yours (35) so its a bit of a training squad. Potentially lots of new ABs. Taking a bit of a punt on the Highlanders Locks TBH.
Props: Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Coltman
Locks: S Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Parkinson, Dickson
Back Row: Cane (c), Savea, Frizell, Grace, A Ioane, Papali'i, Mikaele-Tu'u, Sotutu
Half Backs: A Smith, Perenera, Hall
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Mo'unga
Midfield: ALB, Goodhue, Faiane, R Ioane
Back Three: C Clarke, Reece, Jordan, J Barrett (might shift to midfield), M Telea, McKenzie————------
Bubbling under/ Worth consideration: Hodgman, Aumua, Strange, D. Hunt, Gibson, Weber, Black, Havili, Laumape, Ennor, Bridge.
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Injured/Unavailable : Moli, Ta'avao, S Barrett, Retallick, Robinson, Lentjes, Jacobson, J Ioane
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Retired/Gone abroad: Todd, Read, SBW, Crotty, B Smith.
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@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Hunt
I can't see why either of the Highlanders ones would be considered bubbling under when you consider the wealth of talent in front of them.
@sparky is Grant Fox...
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@Bones Possible injuries and keeping guys NZ-based.
By the 2023 RWC, the ABs will need 40-50 international class players to take on SA, England and France.
Hunt has an excellent work rate. Frizell has all the skills. If he can't show them then he'll fall down the pecking order and fast.
Lots of talent out there. Probably will need some new players at Hooker, Lock, Half Back and First Five by next RWC.
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@Bones Great to see David Havili back. I rate him (he should have been in ABs squad last year) and perhaps by the time of Bledisloe he will be ready to play international Rugby again, but his long-term health is the priority. I'd give him a long off-season.
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@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@Bones Mitch Brown? Good player, but an All Black?
Mate, you named Hunt as bubbling under. There's more than one...
Mitch Hunt for the ABs? Only if the other First Five option is Brett Cameron.
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I reckon they might get Otere Black in as an apprentice, but otherwise it's going to be a green squad if they pick on form. A fair few edge ABs not playing well. And once again were short of locks and props, tight 5 is our problem area (tight 6 if you include a tall and/or smashing people 6).
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@Machpants plenty of potential 6s about who could step up.
