TRC squad

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.

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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.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600373" data-time="1469509542">
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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.
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Loni is a LH.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="600375" data-time="1469509974">
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Loni is a LH.
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Christ - I think he is too. I thought he replaced Eves on the tighthead.
 
Well, we're completely fucked then and will have to call up Ben May! :)

Nairobi

how come no one's talking about Reggio Goodes. 
I really need to unlock the secret to the hurricanes scrum performance.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="600378" data-time="1469511954">
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how come no one's talking about Reggio Goodes. 
I really need to unlock the secret to the hurricanes scrum performance.
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Scroll back and read one of my previous posts ...

pakman

Well Chiefs Canes ought to see quite a few of these roughies in opposition, so may answer a few queries.

cgrant

The Chiefs scrum has improved one week or two before the inclusion of Hames. Graham and Yamashita suddenly fared far better. Was it because Nathan Harris was introduced at hooker ? Or the backrows pushing harder instead of just putting down an arm on the side of the scrum ?
However, Hames did very well against the strongest South African THP (Koch) and this is a very positive sign.
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
Atu Moli is one to watch for the future. He is still very young but his improvement since the Mitre 10 Cup where he was demolished in the scrums has been immense.
JTA also improved his scrummaging this year. Unfortunately for him and the Canes, his injury came at the worst moment.

cgrant

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="600422" data-time="1469520125">
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The Chiefs scrum has improved one week or two before the inclusion of Hames. Graham and Yamashita suddenly fared far better. Was it because Nathan Harris was introduced at hooker ? Or the backrows pushing harder instead of just putting down an arm on the side of the scrum ?
However, Hames did very well against the strongest South African THP (Koch) and this is a very positive sign.
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
Atu Moli is one to watch for the future. He is still very young but his improvement since the Mitre 10 Cup where he was demolished in the scrums has been immense.
JTA also improved his scrummaging this year. Unfortunately for him and the Canes, his injury came at the worst moment.
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JTA has also improved his scrummaging this year.

ploughboy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="600422" data-time="1469520125">
<div>
The Chiefs scrum has improved one week or two before the inclusion of Hames. Graham and Yamashita suddenly fared far better. Was it because Nathan Harris was introduced at hooker ? Or the backrows pushing harder instead of just putting down an arm on the side of the scrum ?
However, Hames did very well against the strongest South African THP (Koch) and this is a very positive sign.
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
Atu Moli is one to watch for the future. He is still very young but his improvement since the Mitre 10 Cup where he was demolished in the scrums has been immense.
JTA also improved his scrummaging this year. Unfortunately for him and the Canes, his injury came at the worst moment.
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 i think the scrum improved when bird returned from injury and partnered lurch

sparky

Anyone know when Nehe Milner-skudder is likely to be fit enough to play again?

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="600422" data-time="1469520125">
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To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
 
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That's not really the question, though. There needs to be a third player in the squad who can play tighthead. At the moment I can only see a handful of guys who struggle at Super level.
 
I hope someone's making sure that Owen's not carelessly leaving the soap lying on the shower floor! :)

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600571" data-time="1469583763">
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That's not really the question, though. There needs to be a third player in the squad who can play tighthead. At the moment I can only see a handful of guys who struggle at Super level.
 
I hope someone's making sure that Owen's not carelessly leaving the soap lying on the shower floor! :)
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I'm sure there are a few cantabs who will pick it up for him...

Daffy Jaffy

Veteran playmaker Matt Giteau will join the Wallabies in camp next week, after Toulon agreed to release him for the Rugby Championship.
The development comes after speculation that Giteau would be staying with his French club, with owner Mourad Boudjellal threatening to withhold player salaries if the star received a Test call-up.
Under World Rugby regulation 9, international clubs canâ€™t withdraw player salaries, but Boudjellal has a long history of strong arming his players into staying at their club.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver expressed his confidence on Thursday that an agreement would be reached without needing World Rugby intervention.
Wallabies winger and Toulon team-mate Drew Mitchell said there was always going to be complications with negotiations, given the pair signed before last yearâ€™s eligibility changes.
â€œBecause Matt and I went over there when it wasnâ€™t possible, we agreed in our contract that we wouldnâ€™tâ€™ play international footy â€“ our owner was under the understanding that weâ€™d be available through reg 9 windows,â€ he told the Australian Rugby Unionâ€™s official website.
â€œI can definitely empathise with Toulon and understand their concerns but if thereâ€™s an opportunity thatâ€™s the pinnacle thatâ€™s what we want to do.â€
Mitchell said the only way to avoid tension between clubs and national unions was everyone being transparent and working to find some sort of middle ground.
â€œFor Matt and I and guys going over there now, itâ€™s just about being completely open with everyone, which we have been,â€ he added.
â€œIt all changed after we signed our contract and each time, these things come up itâ€™s differing things whether itâ€™s salary, time weâ€™re allowed away, insurance if we get injured playing Tests.
â€œThereâ€™s so many different aspects that make it a pretty complex massage our way through it â€“ not everyoneâ€™s going to be entirely happy but we can accept what we come to.â€
The announcement has come as Wallabies coach Michael Cheika named his 36-man Wallabies training squad, to convene in Sydney on Monday, ahead of the August 20 Bledisloe Cup fixture.
Cheika also revealed the veteran back-row Wycliff Paluâ€™s Wallabies days are done, announcing his international retirement on Friday.
None of the Brumbies players have joined camp, finishing their Super Rugby campaign just last week in a quarter-final loss to the Highlanders.
With Giteau returning, Christian Lealifano has not been included in that initial training squad.
Flanker Liam Gill is another notable absentee, with the Reds flanker now potentially free to head overseas to join Toulonâ€™s pre-season, while Greg Holmesâ€™s Wallabies days look over, with the Reds veteran released to join Exeter in the Premiership.
Waratahs prop Tom Robertson has been rewarded for his Super Rugby form with inclusion in the 36-man training squad, while June series bolter Reece Hodge has also been given another national shot.
Lopeti Timani comes into the fold in search of his first cap, with Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Will Skelton and Adam Coleman making up the lock stocks.
Brumbies lock Rory Arnold has been ruled out of the squad after an elbow injury suffered a fortnight ago, along with injured winger Joe Tomane, while his club second row partner, Sam Carter has been left out.
With Will Genia back in camp, young scrum-half Joe Powell has missed out on selection.
Hulking winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is already fulfilling commitments with his Japanese club, but Cheika is hopeful of him returning for part of the Rugby Championship.
The squad will be trimmed in the coming weeks, with the first Bledisloe on August 20 in Sydney.
Wallabies 36-man training squad: 
Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Drew Mitchell, Luke Morahan, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Matt Toomua

Billy Tell

Aussie squad doesn't have me shaking in my boots.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="601338" data-time="1469808303">
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Aussie squad doesn't have me shaking in my boots.
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I would be shocked if more than 2 of their backs are in the next RWC squad. If there are massive problems. A huge reach into the past smacks a little bit of desperation. Still there are enough old hands in backline to steer the ship and keep things close for the most part - but they can't win a game where the opposition scores more than 25 so they will want to defend bloody well.
 
I think the forward selection is spot on - albeit thin up front, but we will see how he whittles it down to a match day 8. I think Aussies best side doesn't include Pocock starting.
 
Overall a really strange squad as you would think Cheika would've given the benefit of the doubt to the younger guys and tried to build something, maybe he is waiting until the EOYT or maybe he is feeling more pressure after the England series than we realise.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="601342" data-time="1469813469">
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I would be shocked if more than 2 of their backs are in the next RWC squad. 
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Over-egging it somewhat as there are a few young guys selected who could mature into good players (DHP, Morahan, Kerevi). That Israel Folau guy isn't bad either.
 
But in saying that Giteau, AAC, Cooper, Mitchell, Genia and Toomua is a lot of guys who are already out the door!

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="601343" data-time="1469816497">
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Over-egging it somewhat as there are a few young guys selected who could mature into good players (DHP, Morahan, Kerevi). That Israel Folau guy isn't bad either.
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Morahan and DHP are 26 and 27 respectively and hardly exciting prospects. I hope you are expecting the same maturation from Crotty and J.Savea who are a similar age. Those two remind me very much of the selection of Peter Hynes/Cooper Vuna - looks reasonable at super level but mid-late twenties debutants are usually not much chop in the outside backs.
 
Folaou is the only one you would put money on - but then again his contract is up in 2018 and if the Aussie team continues on it's current trajectory he may go back to league or Europe. Genia could be likely too, ordinarily you take 3 halfbacks and age doesn't matter so much in the 9 jersey.
 
But who knows - if you asked me to bet the house after 2011 on an AB back making it to the 2015 RWC I would have picked Dagg, so a lot can change.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Hulking winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is already fulfilling commitments with his Japanese club, but Cheika is hopeful of him returning for part of the Rugby Championship.
 
</blockquote>
Why? Cheika can't select for shit if that's what he's chasing.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad