AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?
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My guess at the 35 man squad
Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax, Ta'avao
Taylor, Coles, Coltman
Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Dunshea, Scrafton
Frizell, A Ioane, Cane, Papali'i, Savea, Sotutu
Smith, Perenera, Weber
B Barrett, Mo'unga, J Ioane,
ALB, Goodhue, R Ioane, Umaga-Jensen
Clarke, Bridge, Jordan, Reece, J Barrett, D.Mac
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My guess at the 35 man squad
Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax, Ta'avao
Taylor, Coles, Coltman
Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Dunshea, Scrafton
Frizell, A Ioane, Cane, Papali'i, Savea, Sotutu
Smith, Perenera, Weber
B Barrett, Mo'unga, J Ioane,
ALB, Goodhue, R Ioane, Umaga-Jensen
Clarke, Bridge, Jordan, Reece, J Barrett, D.Mac
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Locks main area of uncertainty. Herald team: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12362487
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@sparky Will they take six props or seven loosies?
Likewise, three 10s or five midfielders? DMac, if in, covers 10.
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Also worth noting Grant Fox mentioned that if the opening Bledisloes are in Aus then the ABs are going to need more than 35 to be in the squad that travels over as it won't be possible to fly players over if there are injuries.
So i'd expect extra players named either today or later.
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Scrafton making an AB squad would be embarrassing. The guy doesn't dominate provincial rugby, let alone higher levels. Dunshea is only marginally better: at least he stands out at NPC level. And yet I have to recognise that in the absence of Retallick, Barrett, Parkinson, Strange and Dickson, we're a little bereft in this position.
At hooker I hope Aumua makes it ahead of Coltman, who I used to like but his line out throwing scares the shit outta me.
Midfield will be interesting. ALB, Ioane and Goodhue are givens, and there really aren't any other 12 options so it's clearly one of Ennor or Peter Umaga-Jensen, but that's a tight call. I'd stick with Ennor for the time being. I think he's the more likely long-term AB.
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Is it fair now that we're in this position, to question the development pathway for genuine locks over the last few years? We haven't seen anyone of genuine size and clear international ability emerge for a while, and in the meantime many of the SR franchises have been pissing about playing blindside flankers at lock far more frequently than can be healthy, whilst also promoting the likes of Scrafton and Whetton. Jeez, Hamish Dalziel wouldn't even shit on those guys. Parkinson might be the only one who's come through of late.
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Scrafton making an AB squad would be embarrassing. The guy doesn't dominate provincial rugby, let alone higher levels. Dunshea is only marginally better: at least he stands out at NPC level. And yet I have to recognise that in the absence of Retallick, Barrett, Parkinson, Strange and Dickson, we're a little bereft in this position.
At hooker I hope Aumua makes it ahead of Coltman, who I used to like but his line out throwing scares the shit outta me.
Midfield will be interesting. ALB, Ioane and Goodhue are givens, and there really aren't any other 12 options so it's clearly one of Ennor or Peter Umaga-Jensen, but that's a tight call. I'd stick with Ennor for the time being. I think he's the more likely long-term AB.
@shark said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Scrafton making an AB squad would be embarrassing. The guy doesn't dominate provincial rugby, let alone higher levels. Dunshea is only marginally better: at least he stands out at NPC level. And yet I have to recognise that in the absence of Retallick, Barrett, Parkinson, Strange and Dickson, we're a little bereft in this position.
At hooker I hope Aumua makes it ahead of Coltman, who I used to like but his line out throwing scares the shit outta me.
Midfield will be interesting. ALB, Ioane and Goodhue are givens, and there really aren't any other 12 options so it's clearly one of Ennor or Peter Umaga-Jensen, but that's a tight call. I'd stick with Ennor for the time being. I think he's the more likely long-term AB.
I think this is living proof that the Rugby gods are punishing the ABs for having guys as good as Retallick and Whitelock playing at the same time.
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lack of specialist 12s is a stand out , Nor the selectors fault mind you, it could be argued all those midfielders are better 13s
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lack of specialist 12s is a stand out , Nor the selectors fault mind you, it could be argued all those midfielders are better 13s
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@kiwiinmelb ALB is a 12.
