TRC squad

pakman

Not sure if rules will dictate size of squad, but assuming the same 31 as 2014, I'd assume they'll go for two hookers, as per 2014, and two halfbacks.
 
So one assumes the starting point is current squad plus SBW and NMS, so it becomes a choice of who to leave out. Initial views in Red below:
 
Hookers Dane Coles Codie Taylor Nathan Harris 

Props Wyatt Crockett Charlie Faumuina Owen Franks Joe Moody Ofa Tu'ungafasi 

Locks Brodie Retallick Luke Romano Patrick Tuipulotu Samuel Whitelock 

Loose Forwards Sam Cane Elliot Dixon Jerome Kaino Kieran Read, captain Ardie Savea Liam Squire Halfbacks Tawera Kerr-Barlow Aaron Smith First five-eighths Beauden Barrett Aaron Cruden Lima Sopoaga Midfielders 

SBW 
Ryan Crotty Malakai Fekitoa Charlie Ngatai Seta Tamanivalu George Moala 

Outside backs 

Israel Dagg Damian McKenzie Waisake Naholo Julian Savea Ben Smith 
NMS
 
Not that much to speculate on!
 
Barring someone like Todd or Lautua playing their way in -- unlikely, although not impossible -- the only real intrigue is whether Ngatai can do enough in finals football to unseat GOTJ, who seems to have played his way in (but will be on sidelines throughout). Other wild card would be injuries, esp. to RC/MF.

pakman

Of course if NMS out the easy answer to pick CN and GOTJ!

Billy Tell

The only thing really to debate is who makes the midfield cut. Also if they drop 1 loose forward is it squire or dixon?
 
Personally, I'd like to see them pick Beauden's brother in the locks and leave Romano out: he's the new Cory Flynn. We know what he can do, he does it to a certain level, he's never going to be amazing.

KiwiMurph

I think theyll take 3 halfbacks. 
Can see others entering calculations due to probable injuries in upcoming Super Rugby.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="592087" data-time="1466967372">
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The only thing really to debate is who makes the midfield cut. Also if they drop 1 loose forward is it squire or dixon?
 
Personally, I'd like to see them pick Beauden's brother in the locks and leave Romano out: he's the new Cory Flynn. We know what he can do, he does it to a certain level, he's never going to be amazing.
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I agree. Although Romano isn't bad, as you said he's not gonna get any better. I would like to see Scott Barrett blooded before the year is out.

Gunner

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="592070" data-time="1466943984">
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GOTJ, 
RC/MF.
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Who?
 
I can get Crotty and Fekitoa, but c'mon man just write their names, I don't have the time to work out who the hell you're on about.... ;)

taniwharugby

George of the jungle, Moalas nickname in the gym according to CF (Charlie Faumuina)...took me a while to get it

hydro11

If you are going to South Africa or Argentina you have to take 3 halfbacks and hookers. If someone goes down the night before, you can't fly someone over.
 
I think you need to drop one forward from your squad to make way for a hooker. Squire is in so you take either Dixon or Romano, IMO. I would also only take one of Naholo or J. Savea. I would probably put Moala ahead of Fekitoa.

Hooroo

I doubt McKenzie will be in the squad as I think they are looking at him long term.

Provincial Stalwart

Richard Knowler's article (link below) refers to 32 players being selected on August 1 for the RC. It also contradicts Pat McKendry's article last week which said SBW would be considered for the opening game in Sydney.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/81461624/bordering-on-the-ridiculous-hansen-says-global-season-cant-come-soon-enough'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/81461624/bordering-on-the-ridiculous-hansen-says-global-season-cant-come-soon-enough</a>
 
"...but until he names his squad on August 1..."
 
"Thirty-two players will be selected for the Rugby Championship..."
 
"While Hansen wouldn't be drawn on subjects such as whether to overlook utility back Damian McKenzie, the only fit player not to play Wales, for the Rugby Championship and instead nurture him during the northern tour, he did confirm midfielder Sonny Bill Williams wouldn't have enough time to prepare for the opening test against the Wallabies."

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="592099" data-time="1466975662">
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George of the jungle, Moalas nickname in the gym according to CF (Charlie Faumuina)...took me a while to get it
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Well it's a damn sight more creative than "Reado" or 'Franksy".......
 
Typical fucken conservative Cantabs.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="592092" data-time="1466971432">
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I agree. Although Romano isn't bad, as you said he's not gonna get any better. I would like to see Scott Barrett blooded before the year is out.
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I'm still unsure if Barrett has the size required as an international lock.

pakman

Anyone know when NMS due back?
 
Also saw squad size of 32 referred to. In which case 3 hookers and half backs. Assuming 3 first fives and 18/14 back split, then things nicely set up for 4 midfielders -- SBW/RC/MF/CN -- 4 back three -- WN/JS/BS/ID -- and 1 'utility', which has Moala's name written all over it!
 
Barring an absolute stand out in end of Super finales, injuries will be the major influence sad to say.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="592611" data-time="1467098156">
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Anyone know when NMS due back?
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Originally Sept was mentioned. That is midway through the RC but you would think NMS would need a few games for the Poo before he played for the ABs.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="592070" data-time="1466943984">
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the only real intrigue is whether Ngatai can do enough in finals football to unseat GOTJ, who seems to have played his way in (but will be on sidelines throughout).
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I'm pretty doubtful that Moala has played his way in. Yes, he made some good line breaks - but none of them were directly converted because of a poor pass to Read and going himself with men unmarked. So I'd say a little bit of a mixed bag.
 
For me, Ngatai has been the outstanding midfielder of Super rugby to date this year, Crotty played well to very well in all three Wales tests, Fekitoa started the year ranked ahead of everyone except SBW, and Hansen has already said SBW is a lock. In my mind, what Moala probably did was jump ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
I think if Moala makes it he makes it at the expense of McKenzie or, just maybe, Savea as predominantly a wing option.
 
Hansen already said we would need three halfbacks for TRC and I'm equally sure we'll need three hookers, so my guess is a squad of 32 and Perenara comes in for McKenzie and SBW comes in for Tamanivalu. Can't see a squad of 31 for TRC given they had 32 for Wales (and the rule change regarding bench props). If anything I'd think they might be allowed an extra player or two.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="592710" data-time="1467152854">
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I'm pretty doubtful that Moala has played his way in. Yes, he made some good line breaks - but none of them were directly converted because of a poor pass to Read and going himself with men unmarked. So I'd say a little bit of a mixed bag.
 
For me, Ngatai has been the outstanding midfielder of Super rugby to date this year, Crotty played well to very well in all three Wales tests, Fekitoa started the year ranked ahead of everyone except SBW, and Hansen has already said SBW is a lock. In my mind, what Moala probably did was jump ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
I think if Moala makes it he makes it at the expense of McKenzie or, just maybe, Savea as predominantly a wing option.
 
Hansen already said we would need three halfbacks for TRC and I'm equally sure we'll need three hookers, so my guess is a squad of 32 and Perenara comes in for McKenzie and SBW comes in for Tamanivalu. Can't see a squad of 31 for TRC given they had 32 for Wales (and the rule change regarding bench props). If anything I'd think they might be allowed an extra player or two.
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But Fekitoa and Taminuvula didn't even do that much. Surely Moala did more than enough, those are kinks that can be ironed out.

No Quarter

I wonder what the coaches are thinking re: Fekitoa. How long do they give him to improve his game? He has the raw ingredients so they usually back themselves to fine tune players like that, but he hasn't made a lot of progress. I'm inclined to think Moala is a better long term option at this stage.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="592710" data-time="1467152854">
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I'm pretty doubtful that Moala has played his way in. Yes, he made some good line breaks - but none of them were directly converted because of a poor pass to Read and going himself with men unmarked. So I'd say a little bit of a mixed bag.
 
For me, Ngatai has been the outstanding midfielder of Super rugby to date this year, Crotty played well to very well in all three Wales tests, Fekitoa started the year ranked ahead of everyone except SBW, and Hansen has already said SBW is a lock. In my mind, what Moala probably did was jump ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
I think if Moala makes it he makes it at the expense of McKenzie or, just maybe, Savea as predominantly a wing option.
 
Hansen already said we would need three halfbacks for TRC and I'm equally sure we'll need three hookers, so my guess is a squad of 32 and Perenara comes in for McKenzie and SBW comes in for Tamanivalu. Can't see a squad of 31 for TRC given they had 32 for Wales (and the rule change regarding bench props). If anything I'd think they might be allowed an extra player or two.
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Given the recent history of AB selections, i think you are right. Fekitoa will be retained because he had first crack, has been in the team for a couple of years, and missed the last one through injury. Crotty showed enough to suggest he should be in the mix (he's a good foil for the other players), and SBW is a walk up inclusion. 
 
However, i think you are underplaying Moala's impact in the first half (maybe because he is from Auckland you biased prick? :whistle: ). He showed me more than i have seen from Fekitoa, power and incision through the middle; and pace to get on the outside as well. While it's easy to say his breaks didn't result in tries, the still put us in good positions (okay, halftime for one of them), and i saw what he was trying to do with two of them, it just probably wasn't the right call. That shit can be ironed out.
 
So, I guess i am saying, ultimately i think he'll miss the squad, but personally i think that would be a mistake.

WillieTheWaiter

don't expect to see Ngatai there.. he's fcuked.
 
only thing he's been able to do in the last 5 weeks is calf raises without bringing on headaches so he's got a long road back...
 
hopefully not the next Ben Afaeki.. but considering it came from an 'innocous knock' you've got to have some serious concerns for him..

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WillieTheWaiter" data-cid="592740" data-time="1467158480">don't expect to see Ngatai there.. he's fcuked. 
only thing he's been able to do in the last 5 weeks is calf raises without bringing on headaches so he's got a long road back... 
hopefully not the next Ben Afaeki.. but considering it came from an 'innocous knock' you've got to have some serious concerns for him..</blockquote>
 
Yeah I thought if he doesn't travel to Suva this weekend then his shot at making the RC squad is all but lost given he hasn't played for what 6-7 weeks and he mustn't have done any significant training.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad