AB RWC Squad

Stargazer

...Foster confirming straight after his announcement in Napier on Monday that he would carry three additions through until the start of the tournament.

Finau, Weber and Canterbury hooker George Bell would fill those roles as they cover key positions for the squad which heads to Twickenham to take on South Africa on August 26 in their last pre-World Cup hitout.

“That was always the plan,” said Foster of the decision to carry the additional trio. “We’re allowed to have extra players train with us up until we go to France, so we’ll bring Brad, Samipeni and George with us. To be fair, it would have been Asafo Aumua (at hooker) but he pulled a calf at the weekend and is out for 6-8 weeks.

The All Blacks coach also name-checked veteran Crusaders prop Joe Moody – not quite ready for the full callup after recent foot problems – and crocked Rugby Championship lock Josh Lord among the group that he would have on standby should injury strike.

“Josh has been with us, played really well, but missed out on this squad,” said Foster. “He’s probably a couple of weeks away from playing with his shoulder, so we’ll be monitoring him really closely.

“You’ve also got Joe with his vast experience. He’s a pretty special man and been a great All Black and I know he’s desperate to come back and play again. We just felt with his time away – the end of ‘21 was the last time he played for the All Blacks – he’s going to benefit from some regular [game] time over the next 4-6 weeks and really build up his body, and the confidence in scrummaging and moving around.

Foster said he won’t make his wider backup group public because of various “ramificatioins” in play, but said the players would know who they are.

Foster also explained his 18-15 squad balance – one more back and one less loose forward than some were predicting.

“We’d like it to be an eight-week campaign and you have to have opposition to train against. So you’re looking at how you balance things out. We looked at the versatility too. We’ve got two locks who can play 6, so that’s invaluable. In the past we’ve had three locks and six loosies ...people cut that cake different ways. We’ve decided this is the right way for us.

“Outside backs is probably where we’ve taken an extra person. We’ve got the ability to juggle around, and keep exploring how we select our 23 particularly and how we utilise impact off the bench. This gives us a few options to keep experimenting in that space.”

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/300945282/ian-foster-adds-samipeni-finau-brad-weber-for-all-blacks-world-cup-preparations?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Machpants

We’ve got two locks who can play 6, so that’s invaluable. In the past we’ve had three locks and six loosies

Whereas now we have 3 locks and 5 loosies, fucking Muppet

This gives us a few options to keep experimenting in that space

RWC, the ideal place for excitements. Did a lot of that in the run up to the quarters in 07

BerniesCorner

In reality everyone on here should be happy. We have got a decent shot at the WC.
12 months ago we really were playing tiddlywinks.

Bones

@Machpants said in AB RWC Squad:

Foster named the most experienced World Cup squad of all time (1,493 caps)

Extra two squad members probably make a bit of a difference there - that also applies to your post @ACT-Crusader !

Machpants

@Bones yup, but more experienced than the others named so far, and probably will remain that way. Boks more, Irish?

BerniesCorner

If things go awry on the injury front Jacobson could play some major minutes.

Bones

@BerniesCorner said in AB RWC Squad:

If things go awry on the injury front Jacobson could play some major minutes.

That's not a bad thing.

Machpants

@Bones said in AB RWC Squad:

@BerniesCorner said in AB RWC Squad:

If things go awry on the injury front Jacobson could play some major minutes.

That's not a bad thing.

Depends if that is at lock or not

sparky

@ACT-Crusader Or Hoskins Sotutu.

BerniesCorner

Yep full confidence in Jacobson, deserves his chance.

ACT Crusader

@Bones I think the concussion protocols has been a key issue in the bigger squad sizes.

For the stat nerds:

2007 - 30 (match day 22)
split - 16/14

Hookers - 3
Props - 4
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5

Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5

—————————————————-
2011 - 30 (match day 22)
split - 16/14

Hookers - 3
Props - 4
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5

Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5

—————————————————-
2015 - 31 (match day 23)
split - 17/14

Hookers - 3
Props - 5
Locks - 3
Loose Forwards - 6

Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 3
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 4

—————————————————-
2019 - 31 (match day 23)
split - 17/14

Hookers - 3
Props - 5
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5

Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5

—————————————————-
2023 - 33 (match day 23)
split - 18/15

Hookers - 3
Props - 6
Locks - 4
Loose Forwards - 5

Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 3
Midfield - 4
Outside backs - 5

Mr Fish

@ACT-Crusader

Suspect we would have taken at least four props to the 2007 World Cup, even with only three in the match-day squad...

ACT Crusader

@Mr-Fish said in AB RWC Squad:

@ACT-Crusader

Suspect we would have taken at least four props to the 2007 World Cup, even with only three in the match-day squad...

No only 3 selected in the squad naming. But I think they may have added Yoda

Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.

Mr Fish

@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:

@Mr-Fish said in AB RWC Squad:

@ACT-Crusader

Suspect we would have taken at least four props to the 2007 World Cup, even with only three in the match-day squad...

No only 3

Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.

Looks like Greg Sommerville was added to the squad to make it a 30-man group.

ACT Crusader

Found it, Yoda was under an injury cloud and they were giving him more time to prove fitness before confirming him as the final player.

Schwalger was the other TH that played in 07 prior to the RWC

Billy Tell

Fair play to Jacobsen. He was really on the outer under foster but had fought his way back in. I think he is a better option than the likes of akira and sotutu. Does the basics well and reliably even if he is less flash.

I agree with the above comment. A year ago we were no chance now we are a definite chance. Hardest match outside the final will be the ¼ final. Yes the opening match will be tough but it’s only to decide who wins the pool. And with the lopsided draw it probably decides if we play Ireland or SA. But would love Scotland to knock Ireland (or SA) out.

Steve

@sparky said in AB RWC Squad:

Five loose forwards is utterly dumb. Even more so when you have an injured Lock.

Even if none of them get injured , surely they will be knackered.

The French , Irish and Springboks are big lumps. We need the back row fit and firing.

Cane is prone to the odd niggle. He isn’t a guaranteed 80 minute man like McCaw was.

The lack of game time given to Jacobsen is even more alarming now. He is covering 6 and 8 especially with BBBR injured.

If Frizell goes down we are into choppy waters.

Bones

@ACT-Crusader Interesting, I thought I'd read it was to allow more front rowers. But apparently it's for better preparation...

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/news/619345/increased-rest-days-confirmed-for-rugby-world-cup-2023

mencey

Webber for Christie.
Shame about Ennor would have taken him rather than David Havili if not injured.
Nepo is well past sell by date
Would have taken another lock rather than Caleb Clarke

That is my take. Lets go win it

Bones

@mencey said in AB RWC Squad:

Webber

Noooooo

The Silver Fern

AB RWC Squad