AB RWC Squad
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Pretty clear that there is a list of "essential players" now, whose injury would pose a huge risk to the WC campaign. Depth in the forwards has improved a lot. Would still hate to lose one of the top three locks. Savea in that category too.
Lomax
Smith
J Barrett
R Ioane -
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
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@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B
almosttemptedtotake Newall over Laulala -
@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
Yeah I don't really see what Laulala offers and I feel he's lived a pretty charmed life in black. Tough on him, but Newell has waltzed in and looked right at home.
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@Bones said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
Yeah I don't really see what Laulala offers and I feel he's lived a pretty charmed life in black. Tough on him, but Newell has waltzed in and looked right at home.
The irony is, wasn't he picked over Franks at the last World Cup for his mobility/work around the field?
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@Bones said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
Yeah I don't really see what Laulala offers and I feel he's lived a pretty charmed life in black. Tough on him, but Newell has waltzed in and looked right at home.
The THs will be Nepo, Lomax and Fletch. The rest have all been playing LH.
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@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
I've got both of them - on the strength of last night Fletch will be on the bench for the big games.
I think Williams will be the one to miss out if Moody is fit.
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@Chris-B said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
I've got both of them - on the strength of last night Fletch will be on the bench for the big games.
The top 4 props are certain now. de Groot and Lomax start. Ofa and Newell are on the bench.
I'll be curious to see if they also use Ofa as a TH at the RWC, even in the minnow games.
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@Bones said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Steven-Harris said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B almost tempted to take Newall over Laulala
Yeah I don't really see what Laulala offers and I feel he's lived a pretty charmed life in black. Tough on him, but Newell has waltzed in and looked right at home.
Christie too
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@BerniesCorner said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Tim Smith probably most vital player in the squad, followed by JB and Savea.
Scott Barrett is the best player in the squad on current form.
Ardie on his day too. He was a terminator in Bled II.
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@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
For me the real question is midfield.
I don't see ALB as starting 12. Prefer Goodhue, although I suspect Havilli will be TWM's back up for Jordie. Agree that Ennor closest like for like for Roane, but suspect ALB will get nod for bench role.
Slim chance of five midfielders, in which case it's Leicester OR Caleb.
I think the gap from Jordie and Rieko to their replacements is huge. And I don't even rate Rieko as a 13 as it is....his wheels are getting him out of trouble on D the whole time more so than the top two inches Conrad had. He is a bit of a greedy guts in possession too.
But he is a game breaker so the juice is just about worth the squeeze.
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@Chris-B Agree on Moody. That sort of experience at World Cups is invaluable. An old head to balance the young gun front-rowers would be a smart move and he’s still a great loosehead. I think Tamati Williams is a project for 2024.
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@KiwiMurph said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
In his post match press conference Foster indicated there were 2 or 3 RWC spots that were being tested yesterday. Finau and Newell would make sense as 2 of those. Perhaps wing as another one?
I'd say wings definitely. Seems pretty likely that at least one of Narawa, Leicester or Stevenson will be going - and at least one (probably 2 IMO) won't be.
Narawa had put a solid marker down in his debut, so I reckon the other two needed to beat it.
Probably Tamaiti Williams. Possibly Ennor, but really they've got enough data already on him.
You'd imagine they know a shitload about their props relative scrummaging capacities that we never see, so some of the test will be how these guys react to live pressure.
