TRC squad

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="599898" data-time="1469397928">Lowe is on form currently better than Savea (who sat on the bench while Woodward tore it up) and I'm no huge fan of Naholo. His error rate is higher than Lowe's (which is the stick often used to beat Lowe with) and I've never personally felt his attack balances that out. So, there you have it, he should be in the TRC. ;)</blockquote>
I disagree! Both got big error rates but naholo has more X factor in attack but I do like lowes aswell. Should be in the squad,I actually like him more at full back than wing but with so many good full backs he got more chance on the wing 
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DMX

I'm beating the drums for Lowe, I think him as a member of back three severely limits the options for teams who want to beat ABs in a kicking game, the option taking of B Smith, Lowe and Barret when he drops back will be devastating. Dagg had a good series against Wales but I thought his option taking was poor last weekend, I hope he does not regress.

Billy Tell

Piutau would walk straight into the 11 jersey at the moment.
 
I think Lowe deserves a shot, with a short trial. 1 or 2 games and he fails to turn up: au revoir.
 
Savea is signed on until 2019 from memory - we risk little by not selecting him, whereas the likes of Lowe might go overseas (and play for the Celtic nations in 3 years as someone pointed out).
 
We have to get the midfield sorted relatively quickly - I suppose SBW coming back sorts out the 12 shirt - but the Lions is not that far away anymore.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="600198" data-time="1469468296">
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Piutau would walk straight into the 11 jersey at the moment.
 
I think Lowe deserves a shot, with a short trial. 1 or 2 games and he fails to turn up: au revoir.
 
Savea is signed on until 2019 from memory - we risk little by not selecting him, whereas the likes of Lowe might go overseas (and play for the Celtic nations in 3 years as someone pointed out).
 
We have to get the midfield sorted relatively quickly - I suppose SBW coming back sorts out the 12 shirt - but the Lions is not that far away anymore.
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Funny I am not that concerned about midfield, I know Fekitoa and Tamanivalu may seem a million miles from Smith but I reckon they are both as good or better than any of the 13s other test nations have to offer. as you said SBW still to return, as well as Ngatai and Crotty still in the mix.

rotated

Given that our midfield issues are structural I find it dubious that SBW is going to solve things. He may surprise but I haven't seen anything from him that shows he will be able to organise our midfield for 80 minutes.
 
I don't think things get solved until Ngatai is fit or they relent and shove Ben Smith at 13 because there is no other way.

Bovidae

SBW will straighten the attack and provide a few more worries for the opposition than the midfielders who played against Wales. As always, the key for the midfield will be the combination so they complement eachother.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="599890" data-time="1469395134">
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What's the news on moody? Not played last few games. Will he be fit for rugby championship? If not then Kane hames should be in,made a big difference to Chiefs scrum 
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Hames would be a good pick if Moody is out - he was destroying ITM Cup scrums last year when Woodcock got injured at the ITM Cup and must have been in the frame for the job they gave to Paulasi Manu.
 
I wonder what Hansen and Co. have made of Ofa Tu'ungafasi? They've had a good look at him in camp so they'll no a lot more about his scrumming ability than we do - that game against the tahs wasn't a good look for him though.
 
So - bolt on bolters - how about replacing him with Hames and Loni Uhila? At a quick scan it looks like Uhila is eligible for NZ? If so, he's certainly impressed me in the last couple of weeks. Came on vs the Crusaders and instantly fixed the Canes scrum - and then ran about like a bull in a china shop creating havoc. Carried on last week.

Stargazer

TH
They'll probably stick with Ofa until Nepo Laulala is back. Once his broken arm has healed, JTA may be in the frame, too.
 
LH
I don't know how serious the concussion of Reg Goodes is, but I think he will be the most likely replacement of Moody in case Moody can't play. Obviously, Crockett being first choice in that case.
The first AB game is Bledisloe 1 on 20/8. There's still time for Moody. And Goodes.
 
Weird idea to suggest a player for higher honours who has only just had his first start of the season (Uhila, 13 games/309 minutes). Someone should consistently put his hand up and play well before being considered.
Even Hames seems unlikely, considering he's only started 4 of his 8 games (328 minutes) this season, but at least he has shown some potential in previous seasons.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="600345" data-time="1469502654">
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TH
They'll probably stick with Ofa until Nepo Laulala is back. Once his broken arm has healed, JTA may be in the frame, too.
 
Weird idea to suggest a player for higher honours who has only just had his first start of the season (Uhila, 13 games/309 minutes). Someone should consistently put his hand up and play well before being considered.
Even Hames seems unlikely, considering he's only started 4 of his 8 games (328 minutes) this season, but at least he has shown some potential in previous seasons.
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Yeah - but, if Owen Franks falls over in the shower tomorrow and breaks his arm - who are you going to replace him with?

Bovidae

I was surprised Hames isn't that big compared to the other Chiefs props. Obviously his forte is scrummaging as he hasn't offered too much around the field as a ball-carrier.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600347" data-time="1469503635">
Yeah - but, if Owen Franks falls over in the shower tomorrow and breaks his arm - who are you going to replace him with?
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I don't know anything about Franks' shower habits, but players are generally more likely to get injured while playing.
The AB squad will probably include 5 props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faumuina, and Tu'ungafasi are all out of the competition, so they have time to recover and rest up before Bledisloe.
 
Hames, Uhila, D Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck and Atu Moli (to throw a few more unlikely names in the mix) run a far higher risk to get injured. And Goodes if he has recovered from his concussion (from Crusaders game).

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="600357" data-time="1469505084">
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I don't know anything about Franks' shower habits, but players are generally more likely to get injured while playing.
The AB squad will probably include 5 props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faumuina, and Tu'ungafasi are all out of the competition, so they have time to recover and rest up before Bledisloe.
 
Hames, Uhila, D Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck and Atu Moli (to throw a few more unlikely names in the mix) run a far higher risk to get injured. And Goodes if he has recovered from his concussion (from Crusaders game).
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You haven't answered the question. :)

Dice

Loni Uhila has already turned down the All Blacks.
 
See 1:27 mark on this video.
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href=''></a>
 
He could change his mind, but he seemed pretty serious there.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="600365" data-time="1469506792">
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Loni Uhila has already turned down the All Blacks.
 
See 1:27 mark on this video.
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href=''></a>
 
He could change his mind, but he seemed pretty serious there.
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Actually, when I looked at his profile I wondered whether he might declare for Tonga.
 
Being an AB would open a lot of doors, though - including the bank manager's.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="600352" data-time="1469504249">
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I was surprised Hames isn't that big compared to the other Chiefs props. Obviously his forte is scrummaging as he hasn't offered too much around the field as a ball-carrier.
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He really hasn't done much with the ball in hand (4 carries and 3 metres according to NZ herald stats) but I'd still bring him in - he's not as good as Moody, but he's strong enough at set piece to deserve a chance, and pretty good around the field on defense (50 tackles in 328 minutes at 89%).

taniwharugby

good on him...I wonder if Tamanivalu should have held out too as there is a chance he might not get another shot and is no longer eligible for Fiji.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="600369" data-time="1469507236">
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good on him...I wonder if Tamanivalu should have held out too as there is a chance he might not get another shot and is no longer eligible for Fiji.
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I'm not sure that video is completely convincing evidence.
 
He's talking on a plastic telephone to James McOnie! :)

taniwharugby

I couldn't watch the video, so my evidence was Dice's post!
 
Stand by my point on Seta though and Mr T if he commits to Tonga.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="600372" data-time="1469508622">
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I couldn't watch the video, so my evidence was Dice's post!
 
Stand by my point on Seta though and Mr T if he commits to Tonga.
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Yep - I'm very happy if these guys declare for their country of origin. But, that adds Uhila to the worryingly long list of ineligible tightheads playing in NZ.
 
To answer my own question - at present Hansen could go knocking at the door of Josh Hohneck, but he's signed for Gloucester and is England qualified through his mother, so I'm doubtful if he'd take up a one-off. After that, you're down to the likes of Chris Eves and Siale Tokolahi.
 
Hence my interest in Uhila.

KiwiMurph

Atu Moli looks a very promising tighthead. You would think he would be in the mix sooner rather than later.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad