AB bolters thread
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574650" data-time="1461552731"><p>he is quick enough, he can play in the mid-field, good defender, great over the ball, low error rate, cool nickname...probably never get a chance, but if he did, he wouldnt let you down.</p></blockquote>
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Think that is about right but I would say he's a chance. Probably 5-6 guys get a crack every year in the midfield. To quote Shag "Richard Buckman who is out injured but will be back later in the season, he can play multiple positions and was outstanding last year. ". -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574650" data-time="1461552731">
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<p>he is quick enough, he can play in the mid-field, good defender, great over the ball, low error rate, <strong>cool nickname</strong>...probably never get a chance, but if he did, he wouldnt let you down.</p>
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<p>It's hardly "Beer Bottle" "Beaver" or "Krusher" standard but admittedly a shitload better than "Reado" "Bender" "Franksy" etc.</p> -
<p>How many are players are going to be in the squad for the Wales Series. If they are picking 31 (same as the RWC) I'd currently go with:</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Squad</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Fauminia, Owen Franks, <em>Reggie Goodes,</em> Joe Moody</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Hookers: Dane Coles, Hika Elliott, Codie Taylor, </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Lock: Brodie Retallick, Patirck Tuipolotu, Sam Whitelock, </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Back Row: Sam Cane, <em>Elliot Dixon</em>, Jerome Kaino, Steven Lautua, Kieron Read (c), <em><span style="font-size:medium;">Ardie Savea,</span></em></span> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Half Back: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenera</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">First Five: Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Charlie Ngatai,</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Back Three: Israel Dagg, <em><span style="font-size:medium;">Damian McKenzie, </span></em><span style="font-size:medium;">Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;"><span style="font-size:medium;">So my new ABs would be: Reggie Goodes, Elliot Dixon, Ardie Savea and Damian McKenzie</span></span></span></p> -
Normally have a wider training squad of about 40 players. I will add fatialofa or Scott Barrett to make the squads snitch been excellent plus also tuungafasi and taufua<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<p>The problem that Reg Goodes will have is that the selectors will probably want a prop who can play both sides of the scrum. Which doesn't leave an abundance of options, really (Tu'ungafasi or Graham are probably the main ones). Either that or have Faumuina covering loosehead and bring another tighthead in (Toomaga-Allen?).</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="576344" data-time="1462167736">
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<p>How many are players are going to be in the squad for the Wales Series. If they are picking 31 (same as the RWC) </p>
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<p>I hope they pick a few more than 31.</p>
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<p>It's sort of interesting in the front row that we've got clearly the four outstanding props - and then the next anointed two Laulala (TH) and Manu (LH) have been invalided out. Then we're into speculative territory. At loosehead I'm interested to see how Kane Hames shapes up, because last year he smashed plenty of pretenders for the Mako$ - as did Tim Perry. Goodes is a contender, probably Graham, and I think Brendon Edmonds would have been as well - even Alex Hodgman in the longer run should be a part of the conversation.</p>
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<p>Tighthead the pickings are much slimmer. Not really anyone who appeals greatly, but JTM is probably the best of a bad bunch. I've seen a few people pumping Tu'ungafasi, but I don't rate him (he got smashed by Hames) and I don't see anyone much beyond him.</p>
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<p>Hooker - well, Hika should be number three, but there's been serial reports that he rates highly on the cock-meter and it depends on what allowances Hansen is prepared to make for the fact that he comes from Hawkes Bay.</p>
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<p>Locks - the three listed by Sparky along with Romano the key contenders - with Barrett, Bird and perhaps Fatialofa (whom I haven't paid any attention to) also possibly in the mix as loosehead props.</p>
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<p>Lots of blindside flankers in contention to join Kaino - Dixon, Luatua, Taufua. Opensides will be Cane and one of Todd or Savea. Despite the cheap drums beating in Wellington - and when was the last time someone in Wellington knew anything about footy?
- at the last waypoint Todd was still ahead of Savea.</p>
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<p>I hope they pick three halfbacks and two should be Smith and TKB. Then a choice between Perenara and Weber, with Drummond worth a brief mention in the conversation.</p>
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<p>First fives as listed, midfielders as listed with Tamanivalu maybe in the conversation with Moala - but three might be enough given SBW is in the background.</p>
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<p>Back three depends on who they're willing to play on the wing. I don't mind the five chosen provided they're prepared to consider both BenfA and McKenzie as wings - given NMS is in the background.</p> -
<p>Reggie Googes</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="576369" data-time="1462171326">
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<p><span style="color:#ff0000;">The problem that Reg Goodes</span> will have is that the selectors will probably want a prop who can play both sides of the scrum. Which doesn't leave an abundance of options, really (Tu'ungafasi or Graham are probably the main ones). Either that or have Faumuina covering loosehead and bring another tighthead in (Toomaga-Allen?).</p>
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<p>He could also cover wing</p> -
<p>Read somewhere Naholo played club rugby on the weekend , scored a hat trick and is on track to play super rugby again </p>
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<p>The Canes are in the unusual position where its the forwards the selectors will be looking closely at not the backs (Perenara Barrett and Savea they knwo well enough by now). But a lot will depend of course how the pack goes over the next few weeks but if they keep up their current form then</p>
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<p>Both props and both locks will be considered esp if there are a few injuries. JTA seems to have stepped up big time and Goodes has continued his slow upward progression. The big surprise for me is Fatialofa. I rate him higher than both Broadhurst and Thrush. How he never got a full super rugby contract is beyond me. 23yrs 199 & 116 and a high aggressive work rate. He seems to have it all. Fifita I though would be very good but he doesn't look out of place at lock so could be a good lock/ 6 8 cover. Savea I think must be almost a dead cert. But I have been surprised before by selections.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="576378" data-time="1462173273">
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<p>Read somewhere Naholo played club rugby on the weekend , scored a hat trick and is on track to play super rugby again </p>
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<p> :good1:</p> -
<p>I think Naholo is a certainty simply because of his upside and Hansen clearly liked him enough to take him (still injured) to the World Cup.</p>
<p>I think Ardie Savea will be selected for much the same reason (upside greater than Todd), and him being taken as an apprentice a few years back shows Hansen rates him.</p>
<p>Tuipolotu will also be in.</p> -
<p>If Naholo is back in that makes the back 3 very competitive. Naholo + Smith + Savea. That leaves McKenzie and Dagg fighting for 1 spot, unless they only take 3 midfielders (I doubt it). Having Barrett also cover FB is not going to help Dagg. Jane is in form, but he's too old and not the future, so I wouldn't pick him.</p>
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<p>I think Luatua has taken the lead on Thompson and Dixon.</p>
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<p>Lock will be interesting: only Whitelock, Retallick and Project Tuipolotu are certainties. It's Romano vs Barrett vs maybe Fataialofa for the 4th spot. Bird is nowhere near the level IMO - never was (picked initially on his physical stats rather than his actual performances).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="576398" data-time="1462178394">
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<p>If Naholo is back in that makes the back 3 very competitive. Naholo + Smith + Savea. That leaves McKenzie and Dagg fighting for 1 spot, unless they only take 3 midfielders (I doubt it). Having Barrett also cover FB is not going to help Dagg. Jane is in form, but he's too old and not the future, so I wouldn't pick him.</p>
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<p>I think Luatua has taken the lead on Thompson and Dixon.</p>
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<p>Lock will be interesting: only Whitelock, Retallick and Project Tuipolotu are certainties. It's Romano vs Barrett vs maybe Fataialofa for the 4th spot. Bird is nowhere near the level IMO - never was (picked initially on his physical stats rather than his actual performances).</p>
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<p>Bird got nominated for the ITM Cup Player of the Year, so I'd be surprised if he's not at least part of the conversation.</p>
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<p>I think Tuipolutu and Romano are competing for the same "power" lock position behind Retallick. Barrett and Bird are more the lighter loosehead lineout options behind Sammy.</p> -
<p>Am really enjoying the whole Cruden vs Barrett vs Sopoaga debate.</p>
<p>Am also enjoying seeing competition for midfield spots heat up. Has Moala done enough? Can Ngatai remain unbroken for an entire season? Is Procter on the selectors radar? What about the continued development of Laumape? Is Tamanivalu's defence good enough? Does a Crotty/Fekitoa combination pose enough of a midfield threat? Or are they too "safe"? Will Aso or Lienert-Brown ever be considered?</p>
<p>Oh the questions - but what a pleasant selectorial headache to have..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="576426" data-time="1462192563">
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<p>Am really enjoying the whole Cruden vs Barrett vs Sopoaga debate.</p>
<p>Am also enjoying seeing competition for midfield spots heat up. Has Moala done enough? Can Ngatai remain unbroken for an entire season? Is Procter on the selectors radar? What about the continued development of Laumape? Is Tamanivalu's defence good enough? Does a Crotty/Fekitoa combination pose enough of a midfield threat? Or are they too "safe"? Will Aso or Lienert-Brown ever be considered?</p>
<p>Oh the questions - but what a pleasant selectorial headache to have..</p>
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<p>I'm not ruling out Sopoaga getting a surprise nod: he has the established combination with Smith, he's the best goalkicker, and his performances have to be taken into context of the Highlanders team. I'm expecting Cruden to get the 1st 2 games, and Sopoaga to get the 3rd test if the series is already wrapped up.</p>
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<p>I think Ngatai, Fekitoa and Crotty are locks for the midfield. SBW may well be back later in the year - in that case Hansen might not bother investing in a 4th spot and use it elsewhere in the squad, otherwise I'm probably expecting Moala, but there are others in the mix as you outline. To your list I would also add Havili, but maybe I just have a blindspot in his regard. I don't really rate Tamanivalu I must say.</p> -
Naholo is a starter for the same reason Savea is; fit they both find the try line and that's the fundamental test for a winger.<br><br>Fekitoa had a selection test against the incumbent Wallaby centre and acquitted himself exceptionally well. The pressure is now on the other contenders.<br><br>The questions still remain (and will until the final Super series play out) for the bench front row, fly half and bench composition. We well know the electors prefer a tight forward that can slot into a lock if required (and that appears to be Luatua IMO thus far).<br><br>Given a fit Naholo takes the right wing berth, that means Ben from Accounts takes fullback which leaves Dagg and McKenzie to provide benefit from the bench over Beaudy (unlikely) if we expect Cruden to get the nod over Sopoaga (which isn't as clear cut as some might claim). This will be an interesting second half to the Super Rugby season from here.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="576426" data-time="1462192563">
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<p>Am really enjoying the whole Cruden vs Barrett vs Sopoaga debate.</p>
<p>Am also enjoying seeing competition for midfield spots heat up. Has Moala done enough? Can Ngatai remain unbroken for an entire season? Is Procter on the selectors radar? What about the continued <span style="color:#ff0000;">development of Laumape? </span>Is Tamanivalu's defence good enough? Does a Crotty/Fekitoa combination pose enough of a midfield threat? Or are they too "safe"? Will Aso or Lienert-Brown ever be considered?</p>
<p>Oh the questions - but what a pleasant selectorial headache to have..</p>
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<p>He will be lucky to get his starting place back from Aso. If Aso stays fit and continues to develop like he has then with two injuries he might be an option</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="576446" data-time="1462202016"><p>
The questions still remain (and will until the final Super series play out) for the bench front row, fly half and bench composition. We well know the electors prefer a tight forward that can slot into a lock if required (and that appears to be Luatua IMO thus far).</p></blockquote>
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Hansen has by and large selected a genuine lock on the bench. Sure there's been the occasional Luatua or Kaino covering lock, but Whitelock, Retallick, Romano, Tuipoluto and Thrush have by and large filled the 4,5 and bench spots.
