AB RWC Squad
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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
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@Chris I've just reviewed the schedule, wasn't aware there are no midweek games this time around, which might change their thinking... perhaps as opposed to thinking about rest and rotation, it is more about covering worst case scenario.
So, do you want your best three tightheads and best three looseheads? Are we worried about two old locks getting injured? Do they want specialist blindside cover (Finau)? As Barrett is nailed on in 15, do they want a third 10? Do they want a fifth midfielder for if two go down?
I think you are right, realistically, taking six props would make sense.
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Right then! Good challenge. I'll lay mine out properly here:
Props (6): Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell
Hookers (3): Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Dane Coles
Locks (4): Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose Forwards (6): Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder
Halfbacks (3): Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
First Fives (2): Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders (4): Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili
Outside Backs (5): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa
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I think @frugby has nailed the squad that is the same squad they will select imo.
Props (6): Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell
Hookers (3): Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Dane Coles
Locks (4): Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose Forwards (6): Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder
Halfbacks (3): Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
First Fives (2): Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders (4): Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili
Outside Backs (5): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa
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question will be who would replace frizzel if he was injured. do they give finau a run in dunedin and see if he can perform at this level or is barrett there next choice . i would think who is there next choice will influence the makeup of locks and loose forwards.
my guess they see barrett as backup 6 against the top teams so they could take finau as a lock/6 for against minnows or pick lord and use vaii as a 6 for minnows -
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PROPS:
E de Groot
T Williams
O Tu'ungafasi
T Lomax
N Laulala
F NewellHOOKERS
C Taylor
D Coles
S Taukei'ahoLOCKS
S Barrett
S Whitelock
B Retallick
T Vaa'iLOOSIES
S Frizell
S Cane
A Savea
D Papali'i
L Jacobson
E BlackadderHALF BACKS
A Smith
C Roigard
F Christie (should be Fakatava instead of either Christie or Roigard)FIRST FIVES
R Mo'unga
B Barrett
D McKenzieMIDFIELD
J Barrett
R Ioane
A Lienert-Brown
D HaviliOUTSIDES
C Clarke
M Telea
W Jordan
L Fainga'anuku -
@Chris Do they need 6 with Williams and Ofa covering both sides , My take is
Hookers 3 , Props 5, Locks 5, loosies 6
19 Forwards ,14 Backs
Beauden, Talea, Jordan,Clarke
Reiko, ALB, Jordie, Havilli
Mounga, McKenzie
Smith, Christie,Roigard
And Bolter in the Backs ? Our maybe as U said Xtra prop
