AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?
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Interesting to see the changes from last year's RWC squad.
Gone are:
Coltman, Moli, Taávao, Barrett, Retallick, Jacobson, Read, ToddCrotty, SBW, Ben Smith
The first six will all potentially come again, though I have doubts about Coltman and Ta'avao.
Lock an obvious challenge in the absence of Retallick and Barrett, and I suspect both the young Ta$man locks would have made it if PPP hadn't been injured. But, that issue will resolve itself in time.
A slight issue at 2nd five with Laumape injured and ALB not in his best form. I reckon there's a case to play Jordie at 2nd five and Beaudy at fullback.
Otherwise, something of a needed refresh - I wouldn't want to go to a RWC with a squad this green, but there's lots of upside as the young guys get some tests under their belts.
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Interesting to hear selectors talk about more emphasis on players having specialist positions, and the need for more physicality.
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@kiwiinmelb Something that was blatantly lacking last year.
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@African-Monkey said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@kiwiinmelb Something that was blatantly lacking last year.
Sounds like post World Cup 03 ,
Done the full cycle
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@kiwiinmelb Jordie deserves to be the starting 15, but I can't help but feel like they'll want the Mo'unga/Beaudie combo.
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Interesting to hear selectors talk about more emphasis on players having specialist positions, and the need for more physicality.
Where is that in this squad? Who exactly?
This is a pretty uninspiring squad, I doubt that SA is shaking in their boots looking at that lot.
And we're going to develop more outside backs than you can shake a stick at, while
only carrying two specialist first fives. When Joane bolts for the money overseas, think about your selections for squads like this Fozzy. -
In a way, David Havili is again the unluckiest of all. Best back during pre-covid SR and then that horrible bowel infection ruined it all. He didn't have enough time to get back to that pre-covid form because of that broken thumb. And so he misses out. Again.
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@Yeetyaah said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@kiwiinmelb Jordie deserves to be the starting 15, but I can't help but feel like they'll want the Mo'unga/Beaudie combo.
You might be right , but the comments on players having specialist positions is an interesting one ,
And where does that leave beaudy ?
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@kiwiinmelb With no. 22 on his back?
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@kiwiinmelb With no. 22 on his back?
Not sure , I guess we wait and see , his ability to play both is a massive plus that is for sure
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
In a way, David Havili is again the unluckiest of all. Best back during pre-covid SR and then that horrible bowel infection ruined it all. He didn't have enough time to get back to that pre-covid form because of that broken thumb. And so he misses out. Again.
Looking at how many names are ahead of him, he'd be mad to not take the money overseas.
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Not much to quibble with in there.
I think Papali'i was one of the slightly lucky ones, he was ok this year but not standout, but I think he's good guy to have in the squad and he almost covers the whole trio on the bench. First sign that Foster isn't going to be biased towards Chiefs players?
I assume Ennor has made it due to Laumape's injury?
Good to see Clarke and Jordan both in there, hopefully one of them takes Reece's spot. I still would prefer that we select Rieko as a wing.
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@gt12 said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@kiwiinmelb said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Interesting to hear selectors talk about more emphasis on players having specialist positions, and the need for more physicality.
Where is that in this squad? Who exactly?
Look at the loose forwards and props. Add in Patty, Aumua. Plenty of physicality there.
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@gt12 Why would he? The main reason he's not there, is the fact that he has spent quite some time in the injury ward. If he can get back to his pre-covid form and stay healthy, he should be able to get in next year. Especially if Dmac doesn't improve.
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@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Forwards coach John Pumtree says Ardie Savea is being looked at as a No 8 first and a No 7 second.
Said they wanted to identify big, bruising loose forwards who could get the ABs over the gainline with sheer "brutality".That's a bit worrying, the last time Plumtree talked about wanting a big dude he played Blackwell at lock for a season.
