All Blacks World Cup bolters

[sparky]

Maybe Luke Jacobson and Ethan Blackadder will get back in, but I think the 36 this year will be almost entirely from the 46 players named on the All Blacks website as current All Blacks.

[Mr Fish]

Suspect Cam Roigard, Shaun Stevenson and (depending on when various props get back into action) Tamaiti Williams might crack the squad this year.

Not sure you'd count any of those guys as bolters, but I suppose it depends on whether your definition is a completely left-field pick out of nowhere (a la Isaia Toeava) or a guy who was nowhere near the squad at the beginning of the year but has been in too good form to leave out (which also probably doesn't apply, given they all featured for the ABs XV).

[SBW1]

I am hoping Ruben Love can play himself into a bit of form during the finals, if he does well he could be a contender although probably won't get enough time to prove himself. Next year for sure.

[sparky]

Shaun Stevenson perhaps, but I think Roigard and Williams will be made to wait a year.

DMac is not listed as a current All Black on the website but I expect him to be in the 36.

[Mr Fish]

@sparky Williams may be a case of needs must...

Bower, Moody and Newell are all out with injuries at the moment but could all be back for the first Rugby Championship match.

Lomax and Laulala are the only fit specialist tightheads, and Tu'ungafasi can certainly play there but has mostly been used as a loosehead.

If the All Blacks need a new tighthead, you'd have to say that Williams likely has the inside running.

I actually think Roigard has the best chance of the three. Smith, Roigard and likely Weber would probably be the three best choices to take this year but Weber left the field early last week and could be out for a wee while. That leaves Christie, the currently injured Perenara and Fakatava.

[Tim]

@Mr-Fish Which looseheads for the RC squad? de Groot, Tu'ungufasi, and Ross?

[Mr Fish]

@Tim I think Moody is due back in time for the TRC but otherwise it'd have to be those three.

[gt12]

I don't see it happening, but Iose has Masoe vibes (can play all three LF positions) and back speed.

He wouldn't look out of out place getting a chance at the next level, especially in the AB15 this year. An injury or two and?

Beyond his metres on attack, he made 7 and missed none tonight (discipline still an issue).

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Mr-Fish Which looseheads for the RC squad? de Groot, Tu'ungufasi, and Ross?

Mafileo as a bolter?

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Tim said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Mr-Fish Which looseheads for the RC squad? de Groot, Tu'ungufasi, and Ross?

Mafileo as a bolter?

On the other side, Ainsley has done everything that could be asked and more, to put his hat in the ring.

[Victor Meldrew]

Putting where he plays aside, but Naitoa Ah Kuoi impresses me as a utility forward. Maybe too early though.

[Bovidae]

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

Putting where he plays aside, but Naitoa Ah Kuoi impresses me as a utility forward. Maybe too early though.

I was expecting him to play more games at 6 this year than he has done. Certainly a great bench option for lock/6.

[ARHS]

I think the case for Samepeni Finau being tried mid-year is quite compelling now. Ethan Blackadder still not back. Scott Barrett is our option if nobody better shows up. Finau has the attributes for test rugby.

Ainsley is indeed a shot in my view.

[antipodean]

@Bones said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Tim said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Mr-Fish Which looseheads for the RC squad? de Groot, Tu'ungufasi, and Ross?

Mafileo as a bolter?

On the other side, Ainsley has done everything that could be asked and more, to put his hat in the ring.

Did you not watch his last game?

[Bones]

@antipodean said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Bones said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Tim said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Mr-Fish Which looseheads for the RC squad? de Groot, Tu'ungufasi, and Ross?

Mafileo as a bolter?

On the other side, Ainsley has done everything that could be asked and more, to put his hat in the ring.

Did you not watch his last game?

Not closely, what happened?

[antipodean]

@Bones said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@antipodean said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Bones said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Tim said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

@Mr-Fish Which looseheads for the RC squad? de Groot, Tu'ungufasi, and Ross?

Mafileo as a bolter?

On the other side, Ainsley has done everything that could be asked and more, to put his hat in the ring.

Did you not watch his last game?

Not closely, what happened?

Sin binned following repeated scrum penalties.

[Bones]

@antipodean happy to write off one game in the season.