AB RWC Squad
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@Chris-B An excellent summary and I mostly agree.
Props - Pretty much locked. If Moody is fit to return then one of Ofa T or Newell falls out.
Hookers - Locked unless injury.
Locks - I suspect it will be four with Lord missing out.
Back row - Finau has a decent chance to impress. If he plays well, I could see him being picked ahead of the injury-prone Ethan Blackadder. An Akira Ioane recall is unlikely.
Half Backs - Locked unless injury. Roigard ahead of Weber.
First Fives - Locked.
Midfield - Havili Vs Ennor. The rest is locked.
Back Three - Fainga’anuku and Stevenson (along with Narawa) competing for one spot. The rest is locked.
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@Bovidae One thing I definitely can't see them doing is taking only five props (which has occasionally been suggested). If you did that, then if Lomax or de Groot picked up an early injury that would keep them out for a few weeks, you wouldn't be able to safely carry them till they healed.
Basically, it's two out of Moody, Ofa and Williams - unless they switch Ofa and pick him as a tighthead. Big Tamaiti can also play both sides and would be fine against the minnows.
I think Ofa would be a bit nervous that they're giving Tamaiti the start this week - but, it might be 40 minutes each for the four props!
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@Windows97 said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Finau and Lord will go with Blackadder & Akira to miss out.
I think there's only room for one of these four - unless they skimp in the outside backs.
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@Crazy-Horse said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@george33 said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@Chris-B Akira has been in camp
But where does he live?
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Lienert-Brown at 12 might be a fairly good clue as to what they are thinking in the midfield...
I am happy to be proven wrong, but to me that suggests they are either:
A. Taking 5, so the 4 + Havili
B. They aren't taking Havili, as Ennor is playing 13.If they were holding the spot for Havili in a four man midfield roster, surely McLeod would start at 12? For what it is worth, the closer we get to the squad naming, the more I feel like they may go for option A, with MT, CC, WJ and BB as their outside backs.
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@frugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Lienert-Brown at 12 might be a fairly good clue as to what they are thinking in the midfield...
I am happy to be proven wrong, but to me that suggests they are either:
A. Taking 5, so the 4 + Havili
B. They aren't taking Havili, as Ennor is playing 13.If they were holding the spot for Havili in a four man midfield roster, surely McLeod would start at 12? For what it is worth, the closer we get to the squad naming, the more I feel like they may go for option A, with MT, CC, WJ and BB as their outside backs.
They'll take at least 13 tighties. So if 6 loosies that means 14 backs. Six HBs (English defn), so 5 midfield means 3 back three.
Can't see that.
So either 5 loosies, 5 midfield and four back three, or 6 loosies 4 midfield and 4 back three.
Treating BB as 10.
Unless Havilli travels as Utility?
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I think they’ll take 14 backs. I’d say the below 12 are bolted on
3x halfback - AS, FC, CR
2x 1st 5s - RM, DM
3x midfield - JB, RI, ALB
1x utility - BE
3x outside backs - BB, WJ, MT2 of DH, CC, LF, SS, EN
I think they’ll take CC and DH. If it was me I’d take LF and SS. Play BE as a midfielder only.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
I think they’ll take 14 backs. I’d say the below 12 are bolted on
3x halfback - AS, FC, CR
2x 1st 5s - RM, DM
3x midfield - JB, RI, ALB
1x utility - BE
3x outside backs - BB, WJ, MT2 of DH, CC, LF, SS, EN
I think they’ll take CC and DH. If it was me I’d take LF and SS. Play BE as a midfielder only.
Cunning plan to move Roane back to wing?
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Maybe I'm biased but RIoane is developing nicely as a 13. I see less and less use for DH (esp with a resurgent ALB) now..
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@nostrildamus said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Maybe I'm biased but RIoane is developing nicely as a 13. I see less and less use for DH (esp with a resurgent ALB) now..
I don't get the feeling the TWM agree.
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@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@nostrildamus said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Maybe I'm biased but RIoane is developing nicely as a 13. I see less and less use for DH (esp with a resurgent ALB) now..
I don't get the feeling the TWM agree.
Yes I think Foster likes him.
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@pakman said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
I think they’ll take 14 backs. I’d say the below 12 are bolted on
3x halfback - AS, FC, CR
2x 1st 5s - RM, DM
3x midfield - JB, RI, ALB
1x utility - BE
3x outside backs - BB, WJ, MT2 of DH, CC, LF, SS, EN
I think they’ll take CC and DH. If it was me I’d take LF and SS. Play BE as a midfielder only.
Cunning plan to move Roane back to wing?
Not necessarily. His play at centre has improved and whilst a small sample he does play better there when Clarke isn’t on the wing.
I think the best starting backline is what we saw against the Boks.
In a RWC we always see a few funky selections as the squad is managed and we play against Tier 2 and 3 nations.
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@Bovidae said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Havili will be a useful squad player but shouldn't be anywhere near the 23 in the big games. Namibia and Uruguay is his lot.
I don’t think we will need him for the big games because they seem settled on JB/Ioane/ALB as their mix, which I really like. But if in an emergency he could step up. I reckon his best ever performance at test level was against the Boks in Joberg last year. The pressure test
