Name Your AB Team

[Tim]

A possible scenario that I hope doesn't play-out:

Robertson's squad to have some absolute shockers in it, and the team loses the first test after a red card. If he loses at Eden Park then it's all out war to have him removed.

Imagine this pack running out onto Forsyth Barr Stadium:

1 Bower
2 Taylor
3 Newell
4 Barrett
5 Strange
6 Grace
7 Blackadder
8 Savea

[KiwiMurph]

@MN5 said in Name Your AB Team:

Any way we can trade other countries a couple of surplus wings for decent locks to make things fair ?

The fact Vai’i is an absolute lock ( shit pun intended ) is not a glowing endorsement on this position.

Vaai had an excellent game yesterday. See if he can transfer it to the test level.

[Frank]

@KiwiMurph said in Name Your AB Team:

@MN5 said in Name Your AB Team:

Any way we can trade other countries a couple of surplus wings for decent locks to make things fair ?

The fact Vai’i is an absolute lock ( shit pun intended ) is not a glowing endorsement on this position.

Vaai had an excellent game yesterday. See if he can transfer it to the test level.

Busy and good in lineout.
I wish he didn't fold like a newspaper when carting it up.

[Frank]

@ARHS said in Name Your AB Team:

I would start Christie with Ratima on bench

Has it really come to this?

[booboo]

@Machpants said in Name Your AB Team:

My team, not who I think will be named

1 DeGroot
2 Taylor
3 Lomax
4 Barrett (c)
5 Vaa’i
6 Finau
7 Papali’i
8 Savea
9 TJ
10 McKenzie
11 Clarke
12 J Barrett
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 Love

16 Newell/Ofa? Dunno about props
17 Williams
18 Amua
19 IWL
20 Sotutu
21 Ratima
22 Proctor
23 Beaudy

Usually 16 is hooker, 17 LH, 18 TH

[sparky]

1 De Groot
2 Taylor
3 Lomax
4 S Barrett
5 Vaa'i
6 Finau
7 Papalii
8 A Savea (c)
9 Ratima
10 DMac
11 C.Clarke
12 J. Barrett
13 Proctor
14 Telea
15 Love

16 Aumua
17 Ofa T
18 Newell
19 Darry
20 Sotutu
21 TJP
22 B.Barrett
23 R.Ioane

[Bovidae]

Those selecting Sotutu on the bench means there is no 6 cover unless that is Barrett. Savea and Papalii aren't test options in that position.

[Tim]

@Bovidae How about Beauden Barrett at fullback and a 6/2 split on the bench?

[Bovidae]

@Tim I think Barrett will be the starting fullback myself. I don't see a 6:2 split being used, however.

Sotutu either starts at no.8 or isn't in the 23. The reserve loose forward will need to cover multiple positions.

[Bones]

EDG
Taylor
Lomax
Barrett
Vaai
Finau
Papalii
Savea
Perenara
DMac
Telea
Jordie
Proctor
Reece
Love

Aumua
Ofa
Newell
Darry
Sotutu
Ratima
Plummer
Ioane

Really tough on Williams, Delaney, Jacobson, ALB, Clarke, Narawa.

Fairly tough on Bower, Blackadder, Christie, ENS, Stevenson.

Laughable on Millar, Rayasi, Strange.

[sparky]

@Bovidae Scott Barrett, Ardie and Paps have all played there. But we'll probably need a 6 who can play 80 minutes. I'm not sure Finau can yet.

[Bones]

Robertson and his inspiration/innovation can convince Vaai (or Delaney) to be that lock that covers 6. Vaai has had such a good season this year playing very similar to an in form Frizzel.

[sparky]

Getting Plummer in the squad and even in the 23 is not a bad idea. We need another Test First Five.

[nostrildamus]

If they start Sotutu at 8 would that open up the bench for a "utility" loosie like Jacobson or Blackadder?

[BerniesCorner]

I feel much more confident this year than I have for ages.
We got this.

[Bones]

Where's razor

[BerniesCorner]

He's here bro

[sparky]

@Bones Surfing.

[Tim]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england-are-ready-to-record-historic-win-on-new-zealand-soil-andy-goode/

[sparky]

@BerniesCorner We're a bit short at Lock, Blind Side Flanker and First Five but we have two or three excellent options everywhere else.

Defence looks better than four years ago.

That backline is pretty frightening if they're given enough fast, clean ball.

The set piece will need to deliver.