AB EOYT 2018

[Bovidae]

Using the RC squad as a starting point, they originally named 33 players.

Hookers
Dane Coles
Nathan Harris
Codie Taylor

Props
Owen Franks
Joe Moody
Tim Perry
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Ofa Tuungafasi

Locks
Scott Barrett
Brodie Retallick
Samuel Whitelock

Loose Forwards
Sam Cane --> Dillon Hunt
Shannon Frizell
Jackson Hemopo
Kieran Read
Ardie Savea
Liam Squire
Luke Whitelock

Halfbacks
TJ Perenara
Aaron Smith
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett
Damian McKenzie
Richie Mo'unga

Midfielders
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs
Jordie Barrett
Rieko Ioane
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Waisake Naholo
Ben Smith

So one player has to miss out, probably Hemopo. There might be a temptation to find a place for Tuipulotu so there are 4 locks. That would have to be at the expense of a loose forward (Frizell or L Whitelock) or an outside back (NMS).

[98blueandgold]

@akan004 I feel the other way in games I watched. Didn't rate strange until this season, has impressesed with physicality I didn't think he had.

[akan004]

@98blueandgold said in AB EOYT 2018:

@akan004 I feel the other way in games I watched. Didn't rate strange until this season, has impressesed with physicality I didn't think he had.

Was impressed with his play in Super Rugby but not so much in the NPC so far. Perhaps Parkinson has just stood out more, for me anyway.

[Chris B.]

@bovidae That will be pretty close.

I wonder whether NMS holds his place. They've hardly used him and the back three look pretty thin compared to the past.

[nzzp]

@chris-b said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae That will be pretty close.

I wonder whether NMS holds his place. They've hardly used him and the back three look pretty thin compared to the past.

NMS must either be carving it up in training, or holding incriminating photos to still be there. Surely the three wise men see something in him that we're missing - I'd be stoked to be proved wrong, but he ain't NMS v2015.

[Chris B.]

@nzzp I think the real selectors are just generally a bit more conservative than the armchair selectors, when it comes to dropping the axe on players. Don't want to be calling up, discarding, recalling....etc.

So they give their players plenty of rope.

But if they're going to introduce new players into the mix before RWC, they're pretty close to the last chance saloon. And, I think NMS has been in both the France and Rugby Championship squads - and they've given him one game. Which doesn't seem like a huge vote of confidence.

[Bovidae]

Even though NMS is lucky to be in the AB squad I wouldn't be selecting a replacement for him in the 32. That's what Hansen is going to do with the extra 18.5 players, bring them into camp for a closer look and give some an opportunity vs Japan.

The likes of NMS, Hemopo and Akira will have 2 bites at the cherry as they can play for the Maori in their later games if not on the AB tour.

[98blueandgold]

@akan004 I think Strange was more dominant in first few games, while Parkinson has played well in last few (in comparing two)

[cgrant]

Parkinson looks to have the best potential of the two. With an addition of 3 or 4 kgs, he could look like BBBR and why not, play like BBBR !

[sparky]

@bovidae

Nepo Laulala will be there, probably ahead of Tim Perry.

I'd pick a proper fourth lock (either Romano or Patrick T) ahead of Jackson Hemopo and Luke Whitelock.

I'm worried that SBW and NMS's lack of pace will be exposed against both England and Ireland by the likes of Elliot Daly, Jonny May, Simon Zebo or Jacob Stockdale. I'd rather see Laumape, Aso or Bridge selected.

Dillon Hunt looks too wee to be a top class international backrow player. Cane and Gibson are injured. Is it too early to pick Dalton Papali'i?

[Nepia]

@sparky said in AB EOYT 2018:

@bovidae

Nepo Laulala will be there, probably ahead of Tim Perry.

I'd pick a proper fourth lock (either Romano or Patrick T) ahead of Jackson Hemopo and Luke Whitelock.

I'm worried that SBW and NMS's lack of pace will be exposed against both England and Ireland by the likes of Elliot Daly, Jonny May, Simon Zebo or Jacob Stockdale. I'd rather see Laumape, Aso or Bridge selected.

Dillon Hunt looks too wee to be a top class international backrow player. Cane and Gibson are injured. Is it too early to pick Dalton Papali'i?

I think he's bigger than Todd and close to Cane's size.

[sparky]

@nepia

But Hunt is at least 10 kgs lighter and 10 cms shorter than Dan Leavy.

[Nepia]

@sparky said in AB EOYT 2018:

@nepia

But Hunt is at least 10 kgs lighter and 10 cms shorter than Dan Leavy.

Um, so.

[sparky]

Big decision coming up on who is the backup Openside. Dalton Papali'i's chances of making the 32 must have gone up in the last 24 hours.

Interesting to see, as well, if certain experienced backs who have been disappointed in 2018 continue to get selected ahead of promising youngsters.

[cgrant]

Has Rayasi a chance to be among the 18,5 players heading to Japan ? He's having an awsome M10 Cup.

[ACT Crusader]

@cgrant said in AB EOYT 2018:

Has Rayasi a chance to be among the 18,5 players heading to Japan ? He's having an awsome M10 Cup.

Every player with two legs and a pair of footy boots are a chance

[Tim]

Is Abel Australia eligible?

[ACT Crusader]

@tim said in AB EOYT 2018:

Is Abel Australia eligible?

He is. But if he got signed by NZ super team he’d be AB eligible too.

[Tim]

@act-crusader He looks like he'd be worth a spot in the Australian squad.

[ACT Crusader]

@tim this stint with the Orcs has done his confidence a world of good. Regular playing time has given him an opportunity to play with a little more freedom and it’s paid off for him and AKL.