AB bolters thread

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="576344" data-time="1462167736">
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How many are players are going to be in the squad for the Wales Series. If they are picking 31 (same as the RWC) 
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I hope they pick a few more than 31.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

Winger

Reggie Googes
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="576369" data-time="1462171326">
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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?).
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He could also cover wing

kiwiinmelb

Read somewhere Naholo played club rugby on the weekend , scored a hat trick and is on track to play super rugby again

Winger

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
 
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.

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="576378" data-time="1462173273">
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Read somewhere Naholo played club rugby on the weekend , scored a hat trick and is on track to play super rugby again 
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 :good1:

Frank

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.
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.
Tuipolotu will also be in.

Billy Tell

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.
 
I think Luatua has taken the lead on Thompson and Dixon.
 
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).

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="576398" data-time="1462178394">
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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.
 
I think Luatua has taken the lead on Thompson and Dixon.
 
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).
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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.
 
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.

Crash

Am really enjoying the whole Cruden vs Barrett vs Sopoaga debate.
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?
Oh the questions - but what a pleasant selectorial headache to have..

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="576426" data-time="1462192563">
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Am really enjoying the whole Cruden vs Barrett vs Sopoaga debate.
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?
Oh the questions - but what a pleasant selectorial headache to have..
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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.
 
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.

antipodean

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. Fekitoa had a selection test against the incumbent Wallaby centre and acquitted himself exceptionally well. The pressure is now on the other contenders. 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). 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.

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="576426" data-time="1462192563">
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Am really enjoying the whole Cruden vs Barrett vs Sopoaga debate.
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?
Oh the questions - but what a pleasant selectorial headache to have..
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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

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="576446" data-time="1462202016">
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).</blockquote>
 
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.

Milk

I'd go Tuipulotu and Savea coming off the bench. The opposition won't know what hit them.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="576681" data-time="1462285542">
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I'd go Tuipulotu and Savea coming off the bench. The opposition won't know what hit them.
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Tuipulotu and Todd, cause Cane's only coming off if broken and Todd often plays 6....(I'm sticking to this like shit to a blanket dreaming of my internet cred in June )
 
No one gave Leicester a hope either...

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="576675" data-time="1462278968">
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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.
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Quarter, semi & final of the WC Vito was the cover on the bench
 
That may have had a lot to do with the lack of punch Romano offered & had Tuipuloto been around he would have been used as he is a real impact sub, but they got a really good roll on not having a specialist on the bench.

Billy Tell

Twas stopgap, because their plans were blown out of the water when Tuipolotu pulled out, Romano was "meh" last season, and Broadhurst completely underwhelmed when given the chance so that he couldn't be trusted for the RWC. The Vito experiment worked, but only because our locks didn't get injured early into a match.
 
I fully expect Paddy to be back on the bench.

Sapetyvi

Just like Straya, you guys were light on lock replacements in the RWC. If it was BBBR and not Kane Douglas who went off injured in the final, it might have been a different game, MIGHT have.

kiwiinmelb

I think Tuipoluto is the ideal lock replacement on the bench when at his best , 
 
A genuine lock that provides impact when he comes on , 
 
He is like the Beauden Barrett of locks.

Billy Tell

That reads like a poem. 
Very nice

The Silver Fern

AB bolters thread