AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?

[sparky]

Wrote down this squad and was going to post on another thread. A bit larger than yours (35) so its a bit of a training squad. Potentially lots of new ABs. Taking a bit of a punt on the Highlanders Locks TBH.

Props: Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Coltman
Locks: S Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Parkinson, Dickson
Back Row: Cane (c), Savea, Frizell, Grace, A Ioane, Papali'i, Mikaele-Tu'u, Sotutu
Half Backs: A Smith, Perenera, Hall
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Mo'unga
Midfield: ALB, Goodhue, Faiane, R Ioane
Back Three: C Clarke, Reece, Jordan, J Barrett (might shift to midfield), M Telea, McKenzie

————------

Bubbling under/ Worth consideration: Hodgman, Aumua, Strange, D. Hunt, Gibson, Weber, Black, Havili, Laumape, Ennor, Bridge.

—------------------

Injured/Unavailable : Moli, Ta'avao, S Barrett, Retallick, Robinson, Lentjes, Jacobson, J Ioane

---—-----------

Retired/Gone abroad: Todd, Read, SBW, Crotty, B Smith.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Hunt

I can't see why either of the Highlanders ones would be considered bubbling under when you consider the wealth of talent in front of them.

[ACT Crusader]

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Hunt

I can't see why either of the Highlanders ones would be considered bubbling under when you consider the wealth of talent in front of them.

@sparky is Grant Fox...

[sparky]

@Bones Possible injuries and keeping guys NZ-based.

By the 2023 RWC, the ABs will need 40-50 international class players to take on SA, England and France.

Hunt has an excellent work rate. Frizell has all the skills. If he can't show them then he'll fall down the pecking order and fast.

Lots of talent out there. Probably will need some new players at Hooker, Lock, Half Back and First Five by next RWC.

[sparky]

@cgrant Not sure about Weber or Ennor. Not showing the same form yet as 2019. Think Robinson might be out for the season. But the rest of that squad looks right.

[Bones]

@sparky so not Mitch?

[Bones]

Havili should be in the squad. Likely at the expense of Reece/Telea/Ennor. Can't see Jordie being dropped though.

My starting side would have Beauds at 10, Havili at 15 and Mounga on the bench. Prolly alongside Perenara and Reiko.

[sparky]

@Bones Mitch Brown? Good player, but an All Black?

[sparky]

@Bones Great to see David Havili back. I rate him (he should have been in ABs squad last year) and perhaps by the time of Bledisloe he will be ready to play international Rugby again, but his long-term health is the priority. I'd give him a long off-season.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones Mitch Brown? Good player, but an All Black?

Mate, you named Hunt as bubbling under. There's more than one...

[sparky]

@Bones Mitch Karpik. Add him and Lachlan Boshier to Bubbling Under I suppose. Good Super Rugby Players who give 100%.

[Bones]

@sparky I give up.

[sparky]

@Bones Mitch Dunshea? I rate Dickson and Parkinson more.

[sparky]

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones Mitch Brown? Good player, but an All Black?

Mate, you named Hunt as bubbling under. There's more than one...

Mitch Hunt for the ABs? Only if the other First Five option is Brett Cameron.

[Bones]

I'm thinking Gilbert could be in with a shot.

[Snowy]

@Bones FABSG

[Bones]

@Snowy that's not how you spell butt.

[Machpants]

I reckon they might get Otere Black in as an apprentice, but otherwise it's going to be a green squad if they pick on form. A fair few edge ABs not playing well. And once again were short of locks and props, tight 5 is our problem area (tight 6 if you include a tall and/or smashing people 6).

[Bones]

@Machpants plenty of potential 6s about who could step up.

[Machpants]

@Bones yeah potential. I'm worried there are a lot, but no stand out, and we'll get mix and match and no top pick.