2019 Rugby World Cup
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To put some discussion in one place - four guys on the comeback trail who need to get on the park and put in some convincing performances:
Sam Cane
Sonny-Bill Williams
Liam Squire
Waisake Naholo@Chris-B said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
To put some discussion in one place - four guys on the comeback trail who need to get on the park and put in some convincing performances:
Sam Cane
Sonny-Bill Williams
Liam Squire
Waisake NaholoSam Cane doesn't, he's got so much in the bank if he's fit he goes. Same as Colesy. Might not be starting at the pointy end, but he's going. SBW, sadly, is similar - unless the coaches opinion has changed massively from last year - he was in and preferred last year on absolutely nothing during the domestic season. Squire and Naholo most certainly require some form, because Squire has been off/out for so long, and Naholo has always been almost fringe.
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@Chris-B said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
To put some discussion in one place - four guys on the comeback trail who need to get on the park and put in some convincing performances:
Sam Cane
Sonny-Bill Williams
Liam Squire
Waisake NaholoSam Cane doesn't, he's got so much in the bank if he's fit he goes. Same as Colesy. Might not be starting at the pointy end, but he's going. SBW, sadly, is similar - unless the coaches opinion has changed massively from last year - he was in and preferred last year on absolutely nothing during the domestic season. Squire and Naholo most certainly require some form, because Squire has been off/out for so long, and Naholo has always been almost fringe.
Agreed. Sam Cane is definite if fit and in reasonable form. The amount of work he quietly gets thru, particularly on D is astonishing
His neck injury has been a bit of a blessing now Ardie has come into his own. Who to start at 7 is a nice dilemma for Shag.
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To put some discussion in one place - four guys on the comeback trail who need to get on the park and put in some convincing performances:
Sam Cane
Sonny-Bill Williams
Liam Squire
Waisake Naholo@Chris-B
If Cane's neck is strong enough for the rigours of the RWC, he goes.
Not sure about the other three though. Lots of guys playing better and looking hungry in all three positions. I suspect SBW might still make it because of his experience, the respect he has in the squad and his special range of skills.
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Agree he will most likely go to the cup, but I have my concerns over Cane. Surely coming back from an injury like that he will be gun shy for a while, if not forever?
@Crazy-Horse yeah that is a tough one. HIs brutal defence is a trademark of his game, which is why he was so often thought of as being more suited to 6...but with an injury like that, getting yourself back to that level of physicality will be tough.
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@Crazy-Horse yeah that is a tough one. HIs brutal defence is a trademark of his game, which is why he was so often thought of as being more suited to 6...but with an injury like that, getting yourself back to that level of physicality will be tough.
@taniwharugby and if he does get back to his best in time for the cup I will have nothing but admiration for him. I can't imagine what it's like mentally playing rugby again after breaking your neck.
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Not sure where I should post this but have literally just woken up from a dream where the ABs didn't make it out of pool play.
I need help:
- For the shock and emotion of waking from a nightmare
- For actually dreaming about the All Blacks
Not sure who the biggest loser is, me or my hypothetical ABs ...
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Not sure where I should post this but have literally just woken up from a dream where the ABs didn't make it out of pool play.
I need help:
- For the shock and emotion of waking from a nightmare
- For actually dreaming about the All Blacks
Not sure who the biggest loser is, me or my hypothetical ABs ...
@booboo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
I need help:
For the shock and emotion of waking from a nightmare
I still have nightmares about the nightmare of 6 October 2007 in Cardiff..
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@booboo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
I need help:
For the shock and emotion of waking from a nightmare
I still have nightmares about the nightmare of 6 October 2007 in Cardiff..
@Victor-Meldrew said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@booboo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
I need help:
For the shock and emotion of waking from a nightmare
I still have nightmares about the nightmare of 6 October 2007 in Cardiff..
Got a thing for Baywatch girls ay??
"Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson (40) weds Rick Salomon (39) at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas"
Nothing else happened of note that day (especially in Cardiff, and I was there).
See, nothing happened!
https://www.onthisday.com/date/2007/october/6 -
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@Crazy-Horse Straight into the WC squad by the looks of that Article.
@Chris yep, that's what I am afraid of.
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Is that an All Whites training jacket Steve is sporting...?
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Quite a few interesting statements in that article that are not about SBW:
To that end, Hansen admitted the upcoming four Rugby Championship tests were essentially World Cup trials. To that end they would name an extended squad to cover the first two matches against Argentina in Buenos Aires on July 21 (NZT) and against the Springboks in Wellington a week later to allow for the fact most players involved in the Super Rugby final would not make the trip to BA. There would then be a trimmed-back squad for the Bledisloe back and forth against the Wallabies on August 10 and 17 and, finally, an even tighter group of just 31 to head to Japan for the tilt at the threepeat. Hansen was giving little away on Monday around the No 10 position and said the thinking on whether they would need a third specialist or cover it with a utility for Japan remained "fluid".He did not want to pressure contenders behind Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga by commenting on them, but did note Highlanders youngster Josh Ioane was "going well" and was "playing with confidence". At halfback he hinted at a potential change in the pecking order behind Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara with incumbent Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi struggling for game-time at the Chiefs. "Brad [Weber] is playing really well and leading well, and Te Toiroa has come back from his off-season probably not where he should have been. Yeah, I'd like him (Tauriorangi) to get more minutes, but Brad's playing really well, so that's exciting." -
@Victor-Meldrew said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@booboo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
I need help:
For the shock and emotion of waking from a nightmare
I still have nightmares about the nightmare of 6 October 2007 in Cardiff..
Got a thing for Baywatch girls ay??
"Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson (40) weds Rick Salomon (39) at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas"
Nothing else happened of note that day (especially in Cardiff, and I was there).
See, nothing happened!
https://www.onthisday.com/date/2007/october/6@Snowy said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
See, nothing happened!
https://www.onthisday.com/date/2007/october/6In my nightmares, my hands are too small to cover my eyes.
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Nah it's not that black and white, he'll get the chance to prove it in the 5 games leading up to the RWC, in my interpretation. If fit he's back in black, but not guaranteed the cup.
The way ALB's playing, Sonny Bill needs to produce some serious quality to get the 12 spot.
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what is more surprising is that people are surprised that barring an injury, the probability of SBW being on the plane to Japan is very high...all selections over the past 2 years have pointed to ward him being thier favoured 12.
