AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?

[MN5]

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

I think it's Papali'i vs Boshier for a spot eh. And really unlucky for MMT, but his time will come - can only have one player who only plays 8 I reckon.

Cane
Savea
Aoane
Frizzel
Sotutu
Papali'i/Boshier

Anyone I'm missing?

Fifita

[Tim]

What are the numbers in a 35 man squad?

6 props
3 hookers
4 locks
6 loose forwads
3 halfbacks
3 first fives
4 midfielders
4 wings
2 fullbacks

Maybe pick another loose forward?

[Stargazer]

@Bones Maybe not at SR level, but he played almost every game for the Magpies at 6, in 2019.

How many games has Sotutu played at 6 at SR level?

[Bones]

@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones Maybe not at SR level, but he played almost every game for the Magpies at 6, in 2019.

How many games has Sotutu played at 6 at SR level?

No idea and doesn't matter - he's there as an 8.

[sparky]

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

As the days tick down to Ian Foster's first All Blacks squad naming on August 30 there is no shortage of selection debates. The loose forwards, where Lachlan Boshier and Dalton Papalii continue to shine, and outside backs, with rookie Blues wing Caleb Clarke leading the charge, will be hotly contested among the 35 man squad.

Props: Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax, Hodgman
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Locks: S Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Parkinson, Cowley-Tuioti
Back Row: Cane (c), Savea, Frizell, Grace, A Ioane, Papali'i, Sotutu (Bolshier if Grace, Papali'i or Sotutu still injured).
Half Backs: A Smith, Perenera, Drummond
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Mo'unga
Midfield: ALB, Goodhue, R Ioane, Ennor
Back Three: C Clarke, Reece, Jordan, J Barrett, Bridge, McKenzie

[Stargazer]

@Bones MMT would be there as an 8, too. An 8, who can play 6.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

(Bolshier if someone still injured)

Nah - MMT straight swap for Sotutu.

[Bones]

@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones MMT would be there as an 8, too. An 8, who can play 6.

Not required.

[Stargazer]

@Bones Only if you prefer Sotutu.

[Bones]

@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones Only if you prefer Sotutu.

Happy to put a "wager" on it

[sparky]

@Bones I like MMT, but I'd still pick Sotutu, Akira and Ardie at 8 ahead of him.

[Tim]

@sparky Think you need to lose one back. McKenzie, Bridge, and Reece all good candidates for that.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Ardie

And for a moment I thought you were serious...

Sotutu is there as an 8 and only an 8 - if he's not available they'll replace like-for-like.

[Tim]

@Bones With Sowakula?

[Bones]

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones With Sowakula?

[sparky]

@Tim Bridge and Reece are fine. DMac might easily miss out to a 3rd First Five: either Otere Black or Josh Ioane.

[KiwiMurph]

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

[Tim]

@sparky Apologies Sparky! I saw three names at 10, without seeing that two were Beauden and Barrett.

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

Definitely provides a point of difference - almost a hybrid of Barrett and Mo'unga. Can cover fullback at a big push too, but don't think that would be required.

[sparky]

@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

Agree.