Name Your AB Team

[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.

[sparky]

@Tim There's a Dad's Army feel to that England front row. They will be puffing by 15 minutes. The rest of their team looks sharp though.

[BerniesCorner]

@sparky
Yeah it wasn't so long ago we couldn't find a prop, flanker, mid field.

Having Savea , Sotutu and Sititi competing for 8 is ludicrous.
Roigard-DMac would give Dupont-Ntamack a good run for your money.

[cgrant]

My team :

De Groot
Taylor
Lomax
Barrett
Vaa'i
Finau
Papali'i
Savea
Ratima
McKenzie
Clarke
Barrett
Ioane
Telea
Love

Aumua
Williams
Newell
Walker-Leawere
Sititi
TJP
Plummer
Narawa/Reece

[BerniesCorner]

Finau - Papali'i - Savea seems a cert

[sparky]

@BerniesCorner Weird to think that at least one of Sotutu or Sititi won't be in the 23.