TRC Squad
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The serious shortcomings of the selection are now manifest.
A squad with Riccitelli, Akira, Christie and a form 12 would have provided TWM with genuine options in last three games.
Instead, we’ve ended up with very limited options, once injuries taken into account.
With Akira in probably big question would be who for? Quite a judgement, but I’d have still selected Finau for potential. If Jacobson the best utility then ought to have been two of Cane, Papali’i and Niggles. Paps is still young, leaving sentimental choice between Cane and Blackadder.
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No point selecting Akira, he's heading overseas and isn't already an established All Black. Sotutu or another might have been a better shout than either Blackadder or Jacobson but that wouldn't have changed who Robertson has selected at 8 consistently. He has two genuine alternatives to Savea already in the forms of Jacobson and Sititi and neither of them has been given a run at the back of the scrum so seems like Savea is a permanent fixture for the moment.
I'm hindsight, Christie would've been a better option than Perenara.
Riccitelli would've given the All Blacks what, an option off the bench for 10 minutes? He wouldn't have been used against South Africa so we're talking about a couple of wasted minutes against Australia when the better option is still to invest time in Aumua anyway.
A genuine 12 option would be nice but it's not like there's anyone absolutely banging the door down. I don't think Havili is necessarily the answer but neither is someone like AJ Lam.
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I don't believe for a second Akira hadn't been tapped on the shoulder before he left.
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@mariner4life said in TRC Squad:
I don't believe for a second Akira hadn't been tapped on the shoulder before he left.
I'm fascinated to see whether Sotutu pulls the pin too.
If he ends up turning out for England and becoming one of the best players in the world, I'm going to greet Cantabrians with a quick game of Rochambeau, and I'm going first.
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@mariner4life said in TRC Squad:
I don't believe for a second Akira hadn't been tapped on the shoulder before he left.
I don't believe for a second that he was.
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@mariner4life said in TRC Squad:
I don't believe for a second Akira hadn't been tapped on the shoulder before he left.
I don't believe for a second that he was.
I don't believe for a second that either of you know for sure.
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Blackadder and Jacobson work hard all day. Sotutu tends to go missing when it is a dogfight. Personally, I think it was a mistake not to pick him and try to get the best out of him (he deserved a call up for his SR form) but I can also see the reasoning.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in TRC Squad:
Sotutu tends to go missing when it is a dogfight.
Where the fuck did this myth come from?
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@Machpants said in TRC Squad:
The serious shortcomings of the selection are now manifest.
A squad with Riccitelli, Akira, Christie and a form 12 would have provided TWM with genuine options in last three games.
Lol Ricky and Christie are nowhere near an improvement. Akira is going overseas, try again
Ricky isn't top league but won't let you down. In reality he'd only be injury cover.
Christie has a better pass than TJS and can defend.
Has been good for Ta$man.
I'd rather have him and Ratima in Saturday's 23.
Akira should not have been allowed to go. We need a big body in the loose forward trio. Covers 6 and 8. -
No point selecting Akira, he's heading overseas and isn't already an established All Black. Sotutu or another might have been a better shout than either Blackadder or Jacobson but that wouldn't have changed who Robertson has selected at 8 consistently. He has two genuine alternatives to Savea already in the forms of Jacobson and Sititi and neither of them has been given a run at the back of the scrum so seems like Savea is a permanent fixture for the moment.
I'm hindsight, Christie would've been a better option than Perenara.
Riccitelli would've given the All Blacks what, an option off the bench for 10 minutes? He wouldn't have been used against South Africa so we're talking about a couple of wasted minutes against Australia when the better option is still to invest time in Aumua anyway.
A genuine 12 option would be nice but it's not like there's anyone absolutely banging the door down. I don't think Havili is necessarily the answer but neither is someone like AJ Lam.
A problem with seeing WS as the answer is that he is very similar to RD. Logically only one on field at a time. Sotutu is hampered by not having shown he can play 6.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in TRC Squad:
Sotutu tends to go missing when it is a dogfight.
Where the fuck did this myth come from?
Suoer Rugby knockout games.
2022 Super Rugby Final
2023 Super Rugby Semi Final
2024 Super Rugby Semi Final vs Brumbies -
@nostrildamus said in TRC Squad:
I don't think Havili is necessarily the answer but neither is someone like AJ Lam.
What do you think are A J Lam's serious shortcomings?
I don't think his passing or (particularly) kicking game is up to scratch as yet and I'd rather just see him get more regular time in the saddle at 12 before linking up with the All Blacks. There are other 12s who have shortcomings in similar areas but have other strengths to make up for it (e.g. Quinn Tupaea is a gun at the breakdown).
Lam's only had a handful of games at 12 for the Blues and Auckland. He would certainly have been better off getting a season of regular game time at 12 for Auckland than playing once for the All Blacks and holding tackle bags during the TRC (of course that hasn't eventuated due to injury).
If he can get a full season under his belt for the Blues next year then I'd certainly feel more compelled to get him in black.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in TRC Squad:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in TRC Squad:
Sotutu tends to go missing when it is a dogfight.
Where the fuck did this myth come from?
Suoer Rugby knockout games.
2022 Super Rugby Final
2023 Super Rugby Semi Final
2024 Super Rugby Semi Final vs BrumbiesThat's a silly example, a team result is not an indication of an individual player's contribution. Sotutu was a tackling machine in that match and still managed more running metres than any Crusader's loose forward.
Actually, the Brumbies semi is an odd one to choose too, he scored a try, got a try assist, had the second most tackles in the match and had high run metres for the Blues. Hardly going missing.
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I am surprised that Sotutu hasn't had at least one game at 6 for CM.
I agree with @Mr-Fish in that Savea being nailed on to start at no.8 and play the whole game limited the chance of another specialist no.8 being selected. And even if they were, wouldn't be in the 23 anyway.
