AB RWC Squad
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@frugby said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
The WC squad is really taking shape. I think you can lock in the following:
Props: Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala
Hookers: Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock
Loose Forwards: Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
First Fives: Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown
Outside Backs: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Mark Telea
That is 26 players...
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I think they'll only take five props, with Williams battling Moody for that spot, because they won't want a specialist tighthead in Newell.
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Due to BBBR and Whitelock's age and Scooter's importance, I think five locks go to the WC so that they can play a midweek game without starting any of the big guns. Vaa'i and Lord both to go, as Paddy has hardly played. Finau might even get a run at lock off the bench.
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Other loose forward is interesting. I personally think they have left the spot for Blackadder, as Finau has not had a look yet. Could come down to the former's fitness
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Midfield spot between Havili and Ennor. Hard to know, I think McLeod is very much an injury placeholder... they might even take both the former.
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Outsides, I think Clarke was sharp off the bench last night, and has his nose in front. They won't take him and Fainga'anuku... I suspect as long as he is fit, Narawa is highly likely as he covers the right wing + fullback.
Likely Others: Tamaiti Williams, Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord Ethan Blackadder, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa
Don't disagree with the above but they might consider playing Shannon at lock against the minnows.
I hope Narawa is picked, he's very skillful.
And Stevenson, but sadly I don't think that is likely now. -
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@ARHS said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Narawa has a superior all-round skillset, but Faingaánuku is more explosive. If Caleb Clarke is in, then I see little point in having Faingaánuku in. I feel it should be CC or LF.
I think CC boosted his chances with his cameo last night
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@ARHS said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Narawa has a superior all-round skillset, but Faingaánuku is more explosive. If Caleb Clarke is in, then I see little point in having Faingaánuku in. I feel it should be CC or LF.
I wonder whether Havili is the dark horse here. Rione covers LW so they may want Havili and Ennor to have more midfield (I wouldn't pick this btw).
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Speaking of midfielders...
Lengthy rehab finally over for All Blacks midfielder
Chiefs rugby player Quinn Tupaea is back playing with Waikato after a 10 month rehabilatation.
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A lot obviously depends on who gets a chance this weekend. You'd have to say that Narawa, Fainga'anuku, Finau, McLeod, Newell, Lord/Vaa'i are all out of the equation if they don't get significant minutes in Dunedin.
I think Jacobson needs a big game (as a starter) to get his foot on the plane to France. Finlay Christie is probably in a similar boat, with Weber nipping at his heels.
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Jacobson has only played 20 minutes of Test rugby since the beginning of 2022.
He's fifth in the pecking order at best (behind Cane, Savea, Frizell, Papali'i), with Barrett also an option at No 6. I think there are major upsides to taking him to France but if, for example, Finau gets a start against Australia and delivers a massive performance then where does that leave Jacobson?
I think the other five guys are all safe whatever happens in Dunedin, but I don't think Jacobson is in that camp just yet.
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@sparky said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Bones said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
I can't see them ignoring Moody if he's available.
Assuming Joe Moody gets picked, which of Williams or Newell gets the nod as well?
Williams. Newell would need to get up to speed, so take the guy who's performing. Plenty of TH cover in Ofa and Tamaiti
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@sparky said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Bones said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
I can't see them ignoring Moody if he's available.
Assuming Joe Moody gets picked, which of Williams or Newell gets the nod as well?
Williams. He's been playing, and playing well.
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Someone mentioned before but I forgot, is Williams better at 1 or 3? And still serviceable at the other?
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@nostrildamus said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Someone mentioned before but I forgot, is Williams better at 1 or 3? And still serviceable at the other?
Was good at 1 in Super rugby and against Boks.
Wouldn't want to see him at 3 against Frogs or Boks.
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@Mr-Fish said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Jacobson has only played 20 minutes of Test rugby since the beginning of 2022.
He's fifth in the pecking order at best (behind Cane, Savea, Frizell, Papali'i), with Barrett also an option at No 6.
Jacobson is the backup no.8. I don't think there was a scrum when Jacobson was on the field in Melbourne to see whether he had directly replaced Frizell, or Savea would move from no.8.
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@Bovidae said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Mr-Fish said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Jacobson has only played 20 minutes of Test rugby since the beginning of 2022.
He's fifth in the pecking order at best (behind Cane, Savea, Frizell, Papali'i), with Barrett also an option at No 6.
Jacobson is the backup no.8. I don't think there was a scrum when Jacobson was on the field in Melbourne to see whether he had directly replaced Frizell, or Savea would move from no.8.
For sure, but if he has a bad game in Dunedin, I can see him dropping out of the squad - whereas I don't think that's the case for the other guys.
If the WC final was tomorrow and Ardie Savea was unavailable, would Jacobson get the nod at 8 or would they just play Sam Cane there? I'm not certain what the answer is yet, based on the fact that Jacobson hasn't been used much over the past 12 months.
