TRC squad

Provincial Stalwart

I like how they said five extra players will attend the camp, and then promptly name six extra players. And both major news agencies report it.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="601988" data-time="1470005125">
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First question for Hansen has to be "you've said this season is about being better than next year and lifting your standards to a higher level. How does Julian Savea figure into that?"
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I think it's a clear indication that they still believe that Julian will come right, even if he doesn't start for the Canes. I have no doubt that they are in a far better position than anyone else to assess what's wrong with him and where he's at.
It's clear that it's not his fitness or motivation ...

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="601994" data-time="1470005406">
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I think the invitation to Nanai to attend camp is a clear sign that James Lowe is not in the AB picture. Good.
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 Ta$man supporter, eh? I'm not unhappy that we'll hopefully have James for the M10 Cup - if he's not away having shoulder surgery.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="602000" data-time="1470005904">
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I think it's a clear indication that they still believe that Julian will come right, even if he doesn't start for the Canes. I have no doubt that they are in a far better position than anyone else to assess what's wrong with him and where he's at.
It's clear that it's not his fitness or motivation ...
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Tony Veitch spent the June series repeatedly telling everyone that there's more to the Savea story than what has been made public - apparently Veitch had the inside word on this.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="601999" data-time="1470005824">
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I like how they said five extra players will attend the camp, and then promptly name six extra players. And both major news agencies report it.
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Strange huh, I figured Hansen was just trying to sneak one past the NZRU payroll.

Provincial Stalwart

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="601988" data-time="1470005125">
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First question for Hansen has to be "you've said this season is about being better than next year and lifting your standards to a higher level. How does Julian Savea figure into that?"
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If you were paying a guy $800k would you tell him to go away and just sort himself out, or would you continue to invest a bit time and resource into him to bring that talent back to the surface?
 
Continuing to pick him is a bit exasperating to armchair selectors, but they improved him last year between SR and RWC. We have to assume they can do the same again this year.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="602002" data-time="1470006068">
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Tony Veitch spent the June series repeatedly telling everyone that there's more to the Savea story than what has been made public - apparently Veitch had the inside word on this. 
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Based on how he talked about it though I'm not sure the Savea story can be solved by playing international rugby.
 
I just hope they are picking him because they believe he is one of the top 3 wings in the country not to prove a point about loyalty/culture/development or whatever. Sivi, Joe Roks, Cullen and Jane all had their international careers ended with much less of a form dip than this.
 
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="602004" data-time="1470006269">
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If you were paying a guy $800k would you tell him to go away and just sort himself out, or would you continue to invest a bit time and resource into him to bring that talent back to the surface?
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They have a better read on it than me, but perhaps playing international rugby below his best (negative reinforcement) is not the best thing for him either. Perhaps dominating at Mitre 10 Cup level and getting his mojo back while being close to home is a better option?
 
I guess at the end of the day they are saying that they rate the chances of Savea coming right better than Lowe & co being international quality. I disagree just based on the career trajectory of similar places but we shall see. They will go down with the ship on this one if it comes to that.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="602004" data-time="1470006269">
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If you were paying a guy $800k would you tell him to go away and just sort himself out, or would you continue to invest a bit time and resource into him to bring that talent back to the surface?
 
Continuing to pick him is a bit exasperating to armchair selectors, but they improved him last year between SR and RWC. We have to assume they can do the same again this year. 
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Savea was still pretty bad throughout the RWC though. He had a few good moments in the quarter final but offered little else. 2014 was the last time he played consistently well.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="602001" data-time="1470005913">
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 Ta$man supporter, eh? I'm not unhappy that we'll hopefully have James for the M10 Cup - if he's not away having shoulder surgery.
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Hell no!
 
Magpies all day, every day!
 
Just don't rate James Lowe that much. Good Super Rugby player at best; don't think he's All Black material.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="601998" data-time="1470005805">
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Most interesting - aside from Matt Todd being invited, because he's obviously breathing down Ardie's neck. :)
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I hope Todd isn't there to cover for the lingering concussion concerns that has been afflicting so many of late.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="602010" data-time="1470006861">
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I hope Todd isn't there to cover for the lingering concussion concerns that has been afflicting so many of late.
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He is there so he can step in when Cane inevitably gets the 4 week suspension he seems to be craving of late.

Stargazer

I seriously hope that Beauden Barrett gets to start in the No. 10 jersey. I think he's proved enough that he's too good to be a super sub only. 
 
TJP should also get enough game time; he's been much better than TKB since TKB returned from injury.
 
The extra players in camp are 2 outside backs, 2 midfielders and 2 loosies. No frontrowers ...

Chris B.

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/82675389/live-all-blacks-rugby-championship-squad-naming'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/82675389/live-all-blacks-rugby-championship-squad-naming</a>
 
Interesting that Hansen specifically says they did change at least one selection based on performances at the weekend - relating it to people's ability to cope with play-off pressure.
 
That could be Lowe or Faddes (?) or (just possibly) Weber. Maybe Moala over Tamanivalu.

MN5

I like the look of that midfield mix. SBW and Moala could be a powerful combo if they get a chance.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="601987" data-time="1470005081">
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A good player who Toddy dropped for an entire season.
 
Boring squad announcement, to be honest. Wanted to see Bird, Luatua and Lowe in there.
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I liked this for the Bird and Luatua parts, but I don't think Lowe is there yet. I have a feeling he played himself out of the extra picks over the last two weeks.
 
I'm stoked about the Moala call-up. He's going to need time, but with this panel, he should get it and it could be sweet to see him and SBW together. He also makes an excellent last 20 minute option as he can cover wing too.
 
With Luatua and Todd next in line, and Bird not even able to break back in, it really is nice to be an AB supporter.

Baron Silas Greenback

I am disappointed TKB got in over Webber.

pukunui

Pretty strong squad. Luatua the unluckiest player in the country not Todd. 
Glad to see Moala in ahead of Seta. I winder if he was ahead the whole time but tgey just wanted a look at Seta against Wales. 
Welcome back SBW. 
Glad Savea is there. He has a shitload more upside tgan someone like Lowe (who they obviously don't rate as highly as some on the fern). Telling Savea to piss off, harden up and play npc would be the old school way. Personally i think working WITH him to get him right is the better way to do it. In form he is one of the best wingers in the world. Would expect Naholo to be starting though. 
IMO Fekitoa has been equally out of form but has never reached the heights of Savea. He is probably lucky Ngatai is injured. 
Similarly Romano must be running out of chances with Bird finally showing he is a potential AB. 
Very interesting to see ALB and Nanai in the training squad. Nanai in particular looked very promising in the back end of the season.

Frank

SBW And Moala might be the midfield combo for the Blues next year - sweet.
 
I am wondering whether the omission of Luatua is something to do with the panel intending to select Akira Ioane on the EOYT - so with Dixon, Squire, Kaino, - there will be a logjam of 6/8s
Still surprised Dixon got in ahead of Luatua though.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="602026" data-time="1470009794">
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SBW And Moala might be the midfield combo for the Blues next year - sweet.
 
I am wondering whether the omission of Luatua is something to do with the panel intending to select Akira Ioane on the EOYT - so with Dixon, Squire, Kaino, - there will be a logjam of 6/8s
Still surprised Dixon got in ahead of Luatua though. 
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I think All Black selection these days is a lot more about personnel management and consistency than simply who played the best last week. I think it's hard to get in, but once you're in you're likely to get a pretty good run - especially once you're part of the core group, but if you're left out it's not necessarily going to be easy to get back in. I particularly don't think they're into "give him a go".
 
Some people on the fringes necessarily ping in and out a bit depending on injuries - e.g. Crotty up until this season, but I think the reality of the pecking order and future plans are communicated to them pretty clearly. McKenzie is presumably going to do some pinging - as Hansen explains in the video above.
 
I think Luatua probably crapped in the nest a bit, by turning up wanting for fitness, so they're not necessarily going to rush him back in - when he comes back he's got to be hungry - but, the additional train on squad is a nod to him that he's moving in the right direction.
 
For someone like Romano, I don't think he'll lose his place until they're certain that Bird is their man. Since they're talking about 4th lock they can bide their time, wait for an injury to give Bird his chance and then go from there.
 
On prop - I guess after the four established props, Laulala and Manu have been anointed as the next in line on either side, so presumably they're again happy to bide their time and persist with Tu'ungafasi to cover both sides. Ofa seems pretty clearly the next best tighthead option currently available - and who knows who is the next loosehead after Manu. Quite possibly someone who is also currently injured or not fully fit - Goodes, Edmonds, Graham, etc.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="601979" data-time="1470004526">
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 :mocking: The wide-eyed wonderment at a hated former Crusader turning out actually be a good player after all...
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We are talking about the born and bred Hawkes Bay boy - I was hoping he'd come right eventually, he was less a player than his old man down south ....
 
He was shit at the Crusaders, even you and Wurzel must admit that (you must shop at the same window shop Wurzel). He started coming right in the NPC last year and his form for the Chiefs has been mostly great after the first few weeks.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad