TRC squad

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="602133" data-time="1470038642">
<div>
What? A conspiracy to give Crusaders players preference for AB selection? Gosh, it's not like Winger to believe in a conspiracy. So out of character. Must have some merit.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
Thankfully in the Henry and Smith days the selections seemed to fairly represent the performance of the teams. Now its gone back to a Crusaders bias. They have 9 players in this team. Every other team has less. Romano is a joke selection for one.
 
Its very clear bias. I hoped this crap was finished after we got rid of Hate and Wylie but it seems not.

MN5

I think Romano is there to make Julian Savea look slim.

dK

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="602125" data-time="1470036783">THese selectors have a fine track record with selections and winning, so I'm prepared to believe they select on more than just the Super colours, but thats just me! </blockquote>
 
NZRFU Shill

Tordah

very disappointed not to see Luatua in there. He's probably been the best loose forward since the June break and certainly deserved a spot. Is Ngatai still out bc of the concussion?

mariner4life

I know we shouldn't question these guys, and they have more info than we do, and are tasked with creating culture, but 
Not taking Luatua is mystifying. He's been a dominant player who obviously sorted out what got him dropped in the first place. 
Have we reached the point where super form only counts if you are new? That's a dangerous proposition

ACT Crusader

Those lineout and metres per run stats for Dixon would be pretty appealing to the AB selectors. Plus he has good leadership credentials from what I hear. 
Not overly surprised with the Luatua omission given he's been on the fringe for a while now and Dixon and Squire haven't yet done anything to say they aren't up to test level. There are always one or two players that "miss out" from a fan's perspective. 
I've been critical of Romano over the years, but he was better this season. There must be some key stats at test level that they like about his game which warrants continued selection. 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

reprobate

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Username" data-cid="602076" data-time="1470024972">
<div>
The stats, if interested:
 
Shields / Dixon
Games
15 / 15
Minutes
1064 / 1112
Tries
2 / 4
Carries
112 / 69
Metres
219 / 299
Clean Breaks
5 / 12
Defenders Beaten
5 / 12
Offloads
4 / 11
Passes
29 / 59
Lineout Catches
15 / 63
Lineout Steals
0 / 11
Tackles
141 / 103
Missed Tackles
25 / 16
Tackles Success
84.8 / 86.6
Turnovers Conceded
16 / 11
</div>
</blockquote>
where are these from? wouldn't mind seeing luatua as well.

shark

I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.

Toddy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="602171" data-time="1470046062">
<div>
where are these from? wouldn't mind seeing luatua as well.
</div>
</blockquote>
There are a few places doing decent stats now. You could try
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm</a> or download the app called 'Vodacom Rugby'.

gollum

Luatua struggles a bit in that he only really works as a 8, he's probably the second best 8 in NZ right now, but a specialist 8 is not really a lot of use in a squad for the TN's with Read in there. 
 
Before people jump on the idea he is a 6, in super rugby yes, but he doesn't play like an All Black 6 - he very much plays like a AB 8, even when he is playing 6... It wouldn't surprise me to see him straight into statrting if Read got long term crocked.
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="602174" data-time="1470047062">
<div>
I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Same every year, the Cheifs press / fans talk up some Super player who does not look a test player to anyone else, then are shocked when he is never getting capped.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="602174" data-time="1470047062">
<div>
I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.
</div>
</blockquote>
Some posters like Lowe (clearly not you and Gollum), he's been a good player for the Chiefs the last couple of years (presumably for the North Christchurch Mako$ as well), so his AB chances are speculated on - the call for Lowe for higher honours has been going on much longer than 2 weeks.
 
But then again, I'm a big fan of Nanai too - and it's not a zero sum game for a fan - so I'm happy that he's close to selection.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="602174" data-time="1470047062">
<div>
I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Partially a game of maths - if you look at the 10 starting wings in the Super sides.
 
Naholo and Savea are in.
 
Nadolo is ineligible and McNicholl is off overseas.
 
Jane is too old.
 
Osborne's on the fringe.
 
Lowe's the best at the Chiefs.
 
Nanai and Tevita Li.

hydro11

Lowe deserves the talk. Naholo and Savea haven't been that impressive. Lowe has a big boot and is a good finisher. There is clearly a lot there to work with.

booboo

Lowe is worth being in the conversation. But he's behind those that Chris B listed and there are players mot mentioned by Chris B that further muddy the issue for Lowe: NMS and Rieko Ioane. 
He's probably the 4th choice wing/fullback. 
I don't think he'd be out of place. Just there's better options currently. 
And as mentioned he's been in the conversation for at least a year. Slightly more seriously this year. Not sure anyone is surprised or outraged by his ommisdion though? 
Also I agree with Mariner re Luatua.

kiwiinmelb

I get the feeling Lowe will end up being one of those guys that continuously gets close to selection , but finds himself outside looking in more than the other way around, A bit like an Anthony Tuitavake

reprobate

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="602178" data-time="1470048655">
<div>
Luatua struggles a bit in that he only really works as a 8, he's probably the second best 8 in NZ right now, but a specialist 8 is not really a lot of use in a squad for the TN's with Read in there. 
 
Before people jump on the idea he is a 6, in super rugby yes, but he doesn't play like an All Black 6 - he very much plays like a AB 8, even when he is playing 6... It wouldn't surprise me to see him straight into statrting if Read got long term crocked.
</div>
</blockquote>
could say the same about how dixon plays i reckon though, he's a lot more read than kaino.

Bones

Osborne is ineligible too isn't he?

Milk

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="602197" data-time="1470058216">
<div>
Osborne is ineligible too isn't he?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yeah, he played for Fiji this year in the Pacific Nations Cup.

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="602192" data-time="1470053243">
<div>
could say the same about how dixon plays i reckon though, he's a lot more read than kaino.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Dixon played very tight in the Wales test, looked like he had been told to do nothing but tackle & hit rucks. Squire came on & played a wider running game. In his AB games Luatua has done nothing but play the wide running game.
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="602182" data-time="1470049539">
<div>
Partially a game of maths - if you look at the 10 starting wings in the Super sides.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I think you need to add in the looser running 13's. If you go back a few years a guy like Ranger was a valid super centre, but only ever viable as a wing for the ABs. I don't think the selectors would have an issue picking a super centre as a wing & converting them. There may even be a long term case to be made for Fekitoa to try out the wing, tucking the ball under your arm & running like a paniced chook is less of a problem there. Be interesting to see if during the TNs they sub him on there.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="602206" data-time="1470063216">
<div>I think you need to add in the looser running 13's. If you go back a few years a guy like Ranger was a valid super centre, but only ever viable as a wing for the ABs. I don't think the selectors would have an issue picking a super centre as a wing & converting them. There may even be a long term case to be made for Fekitoa to try out the wing, tucking the ball under your arm & running like a paniced chook is less of a problem there. Be interesting to see if during the TNs they sub him on there.</div>
</blockquote>
 
It's a pretty good point over the past 8 years having two wings who played wing exclusively at Super level has been the exception rather than the rule. We've either had converted fullbacks Ben Smith, Israel Dagg in 2010, Cory Jane earlier in his career, Piatau or centres Kahui & Toeava. SBW even had a little tinker there during the 2011 RWC.
 
Definitely not against trialling some raw talent that can make it stick elsewhere out there, although Ben Smith to 14, Barrett to 15 - which is happening anyway in the 2nd half, is my preferred option for Bledisloe I.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad