TRC squad

Stargazer

If the AB selectors have any courage, they'll select Moala ahead of Fekitoa for the TRC. Moala can cover wing. Naholo can cover 12. Not sure about the number of backs they're taking, but if they have to drop one, it should be between J Savea and Fekitoa. I'd definitely pick Moala ahead of Lowe and DMac at this stage.
 
For the EOYT, I hope DMac gets some serious game time, just to see whether he's up to test level footy. If J Savea is still not right, they should drop him by then (if not dropped earlier), and Lowe should be in, although I do wonder whether they'll be looking at Faddes, too. Not sure whether Nanai is already on their radar; probably too soon.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="599660" data-time="1469322600">
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Can I just explore this line of argument? It seems this is said about a lot of players. Fatialofa, Scott Barrett, James Lowe, McKenzie, Ioane x2 etc. How many normally go on the EOYT? Maybe one or two extra. NMS may well be back for the EOYT. NMS, Naholo, Savea, Ben Smith, Dagg and plus maybe Moala and Barrett. That is more than enough cover for the outside backs. If Lowe wants to make the team he has to be better than Naholo or Savea, IMO. If he isn't better now then Savea and Naholo could have great Rugby Championships and then there is no way you could justify picking Lowe.
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Good point. What I'm wondering is whether they can/will use the Maori EOYT as a trial for some of those players and add them to the AB squad while in Europe, depending on their performance for the Maori team? Who of the potential AB picks are eligible to play for the Maori ABs? DMac, Lowe? ...? Or players selected to play for the Baabaas as injury cover? Wouldn't be the first time (think Parsons).

KiwiMurph

Both Ioanes could be in Maori squad again (were last year).

mariner4life

Wait, Naholo can cover 12 now? In a RC test? Really? He's a barely adequate test player in his preferred position

broughie

I think Akira Ioane needs to be in that EOYT. Too much talent that needs to be nurtured in the AB environment. Maori AB's next best.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="599578" data-time="1469297976">
One of the cane locks has to make the ABS. they are really good. can't pick btn the 2</blockquote>
 
There's a fairly long line if locks at the moment. 
Whitelock 
BBBR 
Tuipolutu 
Romano 
Franklin 
Bird 
And given Fifita is a 6 first and foremost is he up with Luatua or much ahead of Seu who have a similar roles. And is he likely to be picked before the other 6s and 8s like JK, Dixon, Squire Luatua. 
Am a fan of Fatialofa but he's at least 7th in line.

KiwiMurph

Id like to see them use the apprenticeship role that Ardie got on the EOYT a few years ago - there's a few candidates that could fit that - Ioane x 2, Fifita etc.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="599677" data-time="1469324933">
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There's a fairly long line if locks at the moment. 
Whitelock 
BBBR 
Tuipolutu 
Romano 
Franklin 
Bird 
And given Fifita is a 6 first and foremost is he up with Luatua or much ahead of Seu who have a similar roles. And is he likely to be picked before the other 6s and 8s like JK, Dixon, Squire Luatua. 
Am a fan of Fatialofa but he's at least 7th in line.
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I would not have Romano on the list, and certainly not ahead of Fatialofa. I haven't seen him play well for years.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599680" data-time="1469325699">
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I would not have Romano on the list, and certainly not ahead of Fatialofa. I haven't seen him play well for years.
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To try to be fair to him, he seems to go OK in the AB environment. He's been terrible for most of the year and worse since the June tests. However, I don't see him not getting selected.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="593973" data-time="1467639464">
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Makes life easy. My squad right now, assuming that SBW isn't picked. Not much for discussion is there? My only pick outside the box is Luatua. He's just playing too good to leave at home IMO so I guess they choose between Dixon or Squire, I picked Dixon as he has slightly more versatility: 
 
Hookers: Coles, Harris, Taylor
Props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faimuina, Ofa
Locks: Retallick, Whitelock, Pat T, Romano 
Loose forwards: Kaino, Cane, Read, A Savea, Luatua, Dixon (Squire unlucky)
 
Scrumhalves: A. Smith, Perenara, TKB
Flyhalves: Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga 
Centre: Crotty, Fekitoa, Moala, Ngatai (Tamanivalu cover for Ngatai)
Outside backs: Dagg, Naholo, F. Savea, B. Smith
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Looking back at my earlier picks, I don't think much has changed. A few people might get lucky due to injuries (Fekitoa) or lack of really good alternatives (J. Savea).
 
I'm not convinced that Lowe is ready yet, although as mentioned above, he could go on to good things if he gets brought in to the environment and continues to develop his decision making. His left boot is very handy. 
 
I'm now assuming that SBW will be picked, so the only real question marks are 4th lock (which I still think will be Romano), the 5th and 6th loosies (Is there room for Luatua, and if so, who gets left out?) and midfield (Fuck it that Ngatai is injured, because if so I think Fekitoa stays home).
 
Hookers: Coles, Harris, Taylor (Elliot if Coles injured would be my choice)
Props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faimuina, Ofa
Locks: Retallick, Whitelock, Pat T, Romano (under pressure by Franklin and Bird, but I think he'll be picked)
Loose forwards: Kaino, Cane, Read, A. Savea, Luatua, & Dixon or Squire (One of who is really unlucky, but I can't go past Luatua's form)
 
Scrumhalves: A. Smith, Perenara, TKB
Flyhalves: Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga 
Centre: SBW, Crotty, Moala, Fekitoa (I'm picking Tamanivalu to miss out even though he's probably going better than Mala)
Outside backs: Dagg, Naholo, F. Savea, B. Smith

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599680" data-time="1469325699">
I would not have Romano on the list, and certainly not ahead of Fatialofa. I haven't seen him play well for years.</blockquote>
 
Not necessarily my list. That is my inderstanding of where the ABs rated the locks after Wales ... with Bird thrown in the mix. 
And to be honest he went okish last night (after the first 15 mins ... )

Billy Tell

Midfield remains a bit of a mess. Crotty & Moala maybe. I'd like to think that ALB has caught the selectors attention.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="599744" data-time="1469335617">
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Midfield remains a bit of a mess. Crotty & Moala maybe. I'd like to think that ALB has caught the selectors attention.
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How did Sonny play in the QF?

canefan

And in other news Steve Hansen is about to extend his NZRFU deal apparently

pukunui

Lowe was good last night. Still not convinced he is anything more than a decent super rugby player. His big boot is probably the only stand out for me. But with Dagg back in the mix that is less valueable. For me all of Naholo, Moala, Savea, NMS and B Smith are ahead of him in the pecking order. He obviously jumps up the list because NMS is injured and may pass Savea if his form drops further. However if i don't see him climbing high enough in that list to make the TRC squad and because they will want to work with Savea to bring him back to form and Moala would be next in line to come in as wing/midfield cover. By the time the eoyt rolls around Lowes window may have passed because NMS will probably be back and guys like Dmac might be in to get a shot and someone like R Ioane might have played his way in.

Crash

Damn, forgot we'll have the Ioanes back!
Interesting additions to the mix.
 
Don't think anyone in the Crusaders covered themselves in glory yesterday.You wouldn't have known some those players featured in the WC win. Contrast that to ALB who is looking a likely prospect with each game, and will be even better with exciting additions of the Ioanes.
Thought Crotty was ok, but didn't impose himself on the opposition. AB midfield still a work in progress. SBW may very well be back in the fold, but what about the future - shouldn;t we be developing some of these guys now? How long will SBW stick around?

reprobate

can't see fatialofa getting near it, and i hope they drop romano. bird is much improved but... the top 3 locks are obvious, and i would select luatua or dixon over any of the 4th best lock options. they're better lineout forwards, and just generally more outstanding footy players.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="599817" data-time="1469348850">
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Damn, forgot we'll have the Ioanes back!
Interesting additions to the mix.
 
Don't think anyone in the Crusaders covered themselves in glory yesterday.You wouldn't have known some those players featured in the WC win. Contrast that to ALB who is looking a likely prospect with each game, and will be even better with exciting additions of the Ioanes.
Thought Crotty was ok, but didn't impose himself on the opposition. AB midfield still a work in progress. SBW may very well be back in the fold, but what about the future - shouldn;t we be developing some of these guys now? How long will SBW stick around? 
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hes around through to next RWC isnt he?

pakman

Sticking to the TRC, the above team is obviously the basis, adjusted for CN's non-availability:
Hookers: Coles, Harris, Taylor
Props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faimuina, Ofa
Locks: Retallick, Whitelock, Pat T, Romano 
Loose forwards: Kaino, Cane, Read, A Savea, Luatua, Dixon (Squire unlucky)
 
Scrumhalves: A. Smith, Perenara, TKB
Flyhalves: Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga 
Centre: Crotty, Fekitoa, Moala, Tamanivalu
Outside backs: Dagg, Naholo, F. Savea, B. Smith
 
Injury clouds over Coles and Moody. Elliot probably next cab for Shag's bunch, although Ash Dixon has been excellent. Next LH hard to pick. If it were me I'd grab Hames, who has been excellent and on occasions destructive since he's been starting. Ofa can't scrum, but not sure we have anyone else who can play both sides. Romano fairly unexciting -- Bird has been great last few weeks -- but is a known factor at TH lock. I agree Luatua has played his way in. But Dixon is more in the Read/Luatua mould than a Kaino, so back up for the latter would more naturally be Squire.
SBW will be in. Sure Savea will get another chance, so only real question is which of the above four midfielders miss out. For me the easy answer is Tamanivalu. Moala is 12/13 and cover for wing. Crotty is the thinker, but at international level is more a 13 than 12. Fekitoa looks stressed out, but could do with an extended run at 13 outside a big 12.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="599832" data-time="1469350784">
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I agree Luatua has played his way in. 
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On the other hand, I'd be surprised if he has. Hansen and Co. made their loose forward choices for the Welsh tests. Dixon and Squire got only very abbreviated chances and didn't do badly. I doubt the selectors' thinking is going to be overturned by three matches - regardless of how outstanding. I think Hansen is a very consistent selector - once you're picked you get plenty of chances - once you're dropped you stay gone for a while.
 
I think Steve might have blotted his copybook by turning up out of shape, and now will have to bide his time to get an opportunity.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad