AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?

[Bones]

@South-Africa-Man said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Sam Whitelock looks washed up. You guys are hanging on to a has been there

We can only hope.

[antipodean]

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

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

@antipodean he's by far the form centre. Followed by PUJ. Only the Highlanders centres rate lower than the form of Goodhue and ALB...

For the first 2-3 tests of this year, I'm happy to give the incumbents first crack, provided Rieko starts in the 11 jersey and gets the opportunity to switch into the midfield at some point in the second half.

Do you think there'll be enough Tests for that approach?

[Tim]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/five-of-the-best-the-top-five-performers-in-round-eight-of-super-rugby-aotearoa/

[junior]

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

@junior I'm not a fan of covering centre if starting in the back three. It's too big an adjustment on defence and wouldn't be fair on Roane. Sure if really required then can do it, but best off starting either at centre and moving out or on the bench.

Fair call, but I want to see him at centre and he's to good not to be starting and playing the most of the match.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim man Clarke looks more like Mealamu in the pic in that article

[junior]

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

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

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

@antipodean he's by far the form centre. Followed by PUJ. Only the Highlanders centres rate lower than the form of Goodhue and ALB...

For the first 2-3 tests of this year, I'm happy to give the incumbents first crack, provided Rieko starts in the 11 jersey and gets the opportunity to switch into the midfield at some point in the second half.

Do you think there'll be enough Tests for that approach?

Definitely not - this is more of a "perfect world" opinion

[Bones]

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

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

@junior I'm not a fan of covering centre if starting in the back three. It's too big an adjustment on defence and wouldn't be fair on Roane. Sure if really required then can do it, but best off starting either at centre and moving out or on the bench.

Fair call, but I want to see him at centre and he's to good not to be starting and playing the most of the match.

It's only Australia.

[Machpants]

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

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

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

@junior I'm not a fan of covering centre if starting in the back three. It's too big an adjustment on defence and wouldn't be fair on Roane. Sure if really required then can do it, but best off starting either at centre and moving out or on the bench.

Fair call, but I want to see him at centre and he's to good not to be starting and playing the most of the match.

It's only Australia.

And possibly SA. We beat them easily in RWC, they're only capable of scrapping past Wales (who were recently beaten by 5th team Chiefs) and an already knackered England - so not much challenge their there, either.

[Bones]

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

their

No.

[Machpants]

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

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

their

No.

Thanks, phone is arse

[Tim]

As the days tick down to Ian Foster's first All Blacks squad naming on August 30 there is no shortage of selection debates. The loose forwards, where Lachlan Boshier and Dalton Papalii continue to shine, and outside backs, with rookie Blues wing Caleb Clarke leading the charge, will be hotly contested among the 35 man squad.

[Bones]

I think it's Papali'i vs Boshier for a spot eh. And really unlucky for MMT, but his time will come - can only have one player who only plays 8 I reckon.

Cane
Savea
Aoane
Frizzel
Sotutu
Papali'i/Boshier

Anyone I'm missing?

[Stargazer]

@Bones MMT can also play at 6.

[Bones]

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

@Bones MMT can also play at 6.

Yeah I'm sure he can but not having had the chance to prove it, I can't see him ousting anyone else in that list.

[MN5]

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

I think it's Papali'i vs Boshier for a spot eh. And really unlucky for MMT, but his time will come - can only have one player who only plays 8 I reckon.

Cane
Savea
Aoane
Frizzel
Sotutu
Papali'i/Boshier

Anyone I'm missing?

Fifita

[Tim]

What are the numbers in a 35 man squad?

6 props
3 hookers
4 locks
6 loose forwads
3 halfbacks
3 first fives
4 midfielders
4 wings
2 fullbacks

Maybe pick another loose forward?

[Stargazer]

@Bones Maybe not at SR level, but he played almost every game for the Magpies at 6, in 2019.

How many games has Sotutu played at 6 at SR level?

[Bones]

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

@Bones Maybe not at SR level, but he played almost every game for the Magpies at 6, in 2019.

How many games has Sotutu played at 6 at SR level?

No idea and doesn't matter - he's there as an 8.

[sparky]

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

As the days tick down to Ian Foster's first All Blacks squad naming on August 30 there is no shortage of selection debates. The loose forwards, where Lachlan Boshier and Dalton Papalii continue to shine, and outside backs, with rookie Blues wing Caleb Clarke leading the charge, will be hotly contested among the 35 man squad.

Props: Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax, Hodgman
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Locks: S Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Parkinson, Cowley-Tuioti
Back Row: Cane (c), Savea, Frizell, Grace, A Ioane, Papali'i, Sotutu (Bolshier if Grace, Papali'i or Sotutu still injured).
Half Backs: A Smith, Perenera, Drummond
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Mo'unga
Midfield: ALB, Goodhue, R Ioane, Ennor
Back Three: C Clarke, Reece, Jordan, J Barrett, Bridge, McKenzie

[Stargazer]

@Bones MMT would be there as an 8, too. An 8, who can play 6.