2019 Rugby Championship

[Stargazer]

It's close to what I would have written down, also assuming who they'll pick in the midfield, not what I would pick. IMO SBW shouldn't be anywhere near the ABs squad.

As to the props, I wonder whether they'll use Tu'ungafasi as the LH.

That could mean:

1 Tu'ungafasi - 3 Laulala/Ta'avao/Lomax
17 Tu'inukuafe - 18 Laulala/Ta'avao/Lomax

I don't expect them to bring many newbies (only where really necessary) into the squad, so reserve lock probably Hemopo.

I can see them start Ardie at no. 8, with Squire at no. 6 and Frizell on the bench.

[booboo]

@Machpants said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Our last 23 vs Italy gives some ideas

1. Ofa Tuungafasi (25)

2. Dane Coles (59)

3. Nepo Laulala (16)

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (20)

5. Scott Barrett (28)

6. Vaea Fifita (8)

7. Ardie Savea (34)

8. Kieran Read – captain (117)

9. TJ Perenara (54)

10. Beauden Barrett (72)

11. Waisake Naholo (25)

12. Ngani Laumape (9)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (32)

14. Jordie Barrett (8)

15. Damian McKenzie (22)

16. Nathan Harris (19)

17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (12)

18. Angus Ta’avao (1)

19. Brodie Retallick (74)

20. Dalton Papalii (1)

21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (2)

22. Richie Mo’unga (8)

23. Rieko Ioane (23)

So

1. Ofa Tuungafasi
2. Dane Coles
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (or in 5)
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Squire or Fafita
7. Sam Cane or Ardie
8. Ardie Savea or (yuck) Whitlock
9. Aaron Smith or TJ
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. SBW or Ngani Laumape
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Jordie Barrett or Naholo
15. BFA

?

Sorry. Fifita.

Everyone loves a corrector...

[ACT Crusader]

I reckon we will see the below loose trio because that is something that could happen in a WC match.

6 - Squire
7 - Cane
8 - Savea

[Gunner]

@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

I reckon we will see the below loose trio because that is something that could happen in a WC match.

6 - Squire
7 - Cane
8 - Savea

If they pick Rueben Whitelock over Savea I will lose my shit.

[Nepia]

@ACT-Crusader I’m looking forward to your Canterbury XV for this match - I assume the rules will be loosened, once spent a weekend in Christchurch etc.

[mariner4life]

@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

I reckon we will see the below loose trio because that is something that could happen in a WC match.

6 - Squire
7 - Cane
8 - Savea

Yuck

[E African Troll]

@mariner4life

Not liking that Combo at all!!!

Squire is a typical Highlanders journeyman forward with Honorable exceptions for Frizell & Coltman

Hemepo not back until 2021 & Lomax is moving north to Wellington

Squire as well as being injure prone is a bit of a meathead prone to poor discipline

[pakman]

@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

OK, now that Super rugby is pretty much done, it's time to think about the squad for the first AB team, and here I've put down my guesses for the 23 for Argentina 1st up. Apart from first five and fullback, we have plenty of riches.

Questions for me are whether they'll use Squire as the second 8. If not, then Akira or L. Whitelock will likely have a chance. Alternatively, they could start Ardie, but since he's had such a big workload, I think they'll put him on the bench. Also, if Squire doesn't play 8, I assume he'll then play at 6, so they'll have to make some decisions about Fifita and Frizzel. Frizzel definitely started Super rugby playing well, but then stopped getting picked - he needs to move to establish himself. Although, I personally think he suits our play better, I think they'll pick Fifita.

The midfield is the one I think they'll select, not what I'd select. However, SBW will need time out there starting to see whether he is worth persevering with.

I assume that Jordie will be given a chance to play himself into the team, either at FB or wing. If not, then Naholo may get one last chance ( I can't see it though, he's been terrible all year) or they could have another look at Nanai as a right winger (or even Alaimalo). Alternatively, I just wonder whether a player like Goosen could get a call up, he's been a bit Cory Jane like at times and looks a better bet for the ABs than Lam. Nevertheless, I haven't picked any of them as I assume it'll be an Ioane, BFA, Barrett back three.

The reserve lock is an interesting pick - I assume it will be Hemopo, but I wonder whether they'll look at one of the two very good young locks running around. Too soon for both IMO, but I think they both look like they'll wear black at some point.

I've put A smith on the bench to give J. Ioane a helping hand when he gets a run, and I did the same with the Chiefs front row (I'd choose Laulala, but they may think that Ta'avao has been playing better). Lomax is a dark horse to get a run here too, as he had some very good games.

1. Tu'inukuafe

2. Coles

3. Tu'ungafasi

4. Tuipulotu

5. Retallick

6. Fifita (Frizzel)

7. Cane

8. Squire

9. TJP

10. B. Barrett

11. R. Ioane

12. SBW

13. ALB

14. BFA

15. J. Barrett

16. Harris (Coltman?)

17. Laulala / Ta’avao (Lomax?)

18. Moli

19. Hemopo (IWL? Parkinson? )

20. Savea

21. A. Smith

22. J. Ioane

23. Laumape

Looks pretty good. My hunch Moli and Laulala to start and the two Tu's to come off bench. Wouldn't mind seeing how Hemopo and BBBR go as starting pair, and Patty T bench. Sam/Squire/Savea for loosies. Most interesting position bench 6/8. I'm picking Frizzell/Akira/Fifita in order of likelihood.

[mofitzy_]

It's a shame there is no standout at 6 because seeing Squires name doesn't fill me with confidence. Would rather see 4-5 guys over him.

[pukunui]

@mofitzy_ said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

It's a shame there is no standout at 6 because seeing Squires name doesn't fill me with confidence. Would rather see 4-5 guys over him.

Agreed. This Super rugby season frustatingly offered no answers to the AB 6 question.

Squire hardly played snd when he did, he did something stupid and got carded and killed off his teams season.

Frizzel started the season really well but then got dropped.

Hemopo was decent but mainly played at lock (as far as i know).

Whitelock was tried there and was forgettable.

Taufua lost his starting spot to Douglas so wasn’t able to prove much.

Fifita was mainly anonymous. Most memorable thing he did was get suspended for a couple of weeks.

Papalii was mostly riding the pine behind big red and when he did play wasn’t really a stand out.

Akira didn’t show anything that duggested he could fill that spot. Was played into the ground and his performances tailed off badly in tve second half of the comp.

Robinson, Elliot Dixon and Jacobsen all had their moments but not enough to force their way into the conversation.

So in summary. 6 is still the biggest hole in the AB squad. We at least have a few contenders for the 14 jersey now.

[ACT Crusader]

@Jaguares4real said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@mariner4life

Not liking that Combo at all!!!

Squire is a typical Highlanders journeyman forward with Honorable exceptions for Frizell & Coltman

Hemepo not back until 2021 & Lomax is moving north to Wellington

Squire as well as being injure prone is a bit of a meathead prone to poor discipline

That’s quite funny that a Puma’s fan is telling us about meathead forwards. You do know why most Argentinian’s went to France to play, so they could get away with all their cheap shots

As for my 6,7,8 it’s not my preferred but given Hansen is a big fan of Squire and Ardie will be our bench man, I think this will be a simulated WC run.

I like Hemopo’s game and would prefer him at blindside.

[Bones]

If they're happy with Hemopo going overseas and being in black then he has to be there. Papalii is a bit the forgotten man eh, but thought he was quite impressive playing a tighter more kainoesque role. Would quite like to see him in the mix.

[mofitzy_]

@Bones
A year in Japan isn't too much of a concern. They will certainly pick other guys doing similar.

[Machpants]

@pukunui Yeah that's a good summary

[taniwharugby]

@pukunui said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Akira didn’t show anything that duggested he could fill that spot.

would have been nice to see him run at 6, reckon the way the ABs play, he would fit in superbly well as a wide ranging loose forward, and with his pace and power would be a real weapon out wide.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Just in case you missed it:

The first All Blacks squad of 2019 will be named next Tuesday on the Breakdown (Sky Sport 1, 8.30pm).

LIsted as live from 7:00 - 8:30 pm on SS1.

Getting further away from Thursday. :astonished_face:

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yep, an earlier time than the usual starting time of the Breakdown. I wonder whether they'll also announce the Māori All Blacks squad?

[rotated]

@Gunner said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

If they pick Rueben Whitelock over Savea I will lose my shit.

As captain? Or just in general?

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer I would say so but the focus will be on the AB squad. The Maori actually play a week earlier so an enlarged AB squad will further reduce their options.

I'll watch my first episode of Breakdown this year.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae I'd wonder whether some of the All Blacks that haven't played many minutes this year or are coming back from injury, will play the first MABs game, if they are eligible. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, for example. Maybe Hemopo, too.

I actually looked at the possible MABs squad, and I think it won't be too difficult to select a squad, even with an elarged AB squad. It will be very similar to last year. I'll post something in the Māori All Blacks thread.