Injuries
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Midfield and lock is a real problem for this tour.
In terms of our A team:
ALB is a 100% lock for 13 and I really hope they don't move him around, I'd like to see him make that 13 jumper his own (so to speak) like Conrad did.
Crotty was a 100% lock for 12 and that injury really hurt us today. Fekitoa is a headless chook by comparison. I'm really struggling to think of anyone, but I guess it has to be Rieko despite his inexperience as he is IN the squad. Give him a go vs Italy and if he takes his chance he's our new 12.
S Barrett has to start now, took his chance in a high pressure situation and gives Coles something to aim at.
Pat T was really disappointing, but I think if he is paired with an actual lock he will go better. In saying that if Romero rejoins the squad he starts with Barrett. Man we have been spoilt with Sam and BBBR.
Interesting times...
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@No-Quarter said in Injuries:
Midfield and lock is a real problem for this tour.
Hooker, too. The ABs are basically playing with only two hookers. Coltman is only there as insurance; hopefully for him he gets game time against Italy, but he's just filling the spot until Harris is fit again and/or a new hooker is ready to take over the 3rd spot (maybe Riccitelli).
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Someone unlikely to panic under pressure.
That rules out Tamnivalu for me. The combination of him and Fekitoa against Henshaw and Payne gives me nightmares.
ALB has to start, I suppose they'll go with Fekitoa, but I'd be even inclined to go directly to Ioane or draft in Buckman.
Would be lovely to have Ngatai available.
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I don't think we will see Ioane playing centre. Well I hope not....
I'd play Bender at centre before him and have Dagg at fullback and Ioane on the wing.
With ALB and Fekitoa fit, I'd just play them for the remaining three tests.
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Yeah, as much as I don't like Smith at 13 (because he's a class 15/14), he has a rugby brain, and I could definitely live with ALB/Smith.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Injuries:
- ALB
- Fekitoa
Bench: Ioane
Yep.
ALB provides the Crotty role and whatever combo starts against Italy needs to be the one that starts in Dublin. Those two will be worked hard to get themselves organised.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Cruden at 10 to make this combo work. BB relies on Crotty to do a lot of the organising. -
Tamanivalu has got the call up.
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Koala on his way home, but Crotty not, so does that mean Crotty is a chance for another game, or was he planning a holiday...
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@taniwharugby Hanson said crotty could be back for France game
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@taniwharugby said in Injuries:
Koala on his way home, but Crotty not, so does that mean Crotty is a chance for another game, or was he planning a holiday...
Who's Koala? Have the AB selectors been raping and pillaging the small island of Australia for players now?
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@taniwharugby said in Injuries:
Koala on his way home, but Crotty not, so does that mean Crotty is a chance for another game, or was he planning a holiday...
Who's Koala? Have the AB selectors been raping and pillaging the small island of Australia for players now?
The Koala defended about as well as Quade Cooper, so maybe it was payback.
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@MN5 my guess is autocorrect knows about Koalas, but not Moalas.
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@taniwharugby said in Injuries:
@MN5 my guess is autocorrect knows about Koalas, but not Moalas.
Good point. Moalas are less cuddly than Koalas and very likely to attack with broken glass if provoked.
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Moala has had issues with his elbow before hasn't he?
Some pretty rotten luck with injuries for him though, is this his 2nd or 3rd injury after getting a chance with ABs?
