2019 Rugby Championship

[Canes4life]

I think having both Coles & Taylor in the same 23 this year will allow us to play with more width as they both like to roam wide and cause havoc. Having Ardie and Cane as our prime loose forward combination will even further that notion where we can run our opposition off the park, especially in the late stages of games. Mobility is key.

[Stargazer]

Just in case you missed it:

The first All Blacks squad of 2019 will be named next Tuesday on the Breakdown (Sky Sport 1, 8.30pm).

[Siam]

When's the team named?

Anyone...?

[taniwharugby]

@Siam tomorrow at 5am

[Siam]

@taniwharugby I shall set the alarm

[Unite]

@taniwharugby said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@Siam tomorrow at 5am

Thursday already, the week is flying

Edit: It does bloody roll around pretty quickly, it doesn’t seem that long ago we were getting dusted by Ireland and then fishing up the EOYT with Italy.

[booboo]

@taniwharugby said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@Siam tomorrow at 5am

Why not Thursday?

[ACT Crusader]

@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Just in case you missed it:

The first All Blacks squad of 2019 will be named next Tuesday on the Breakdown (Sky Sport 1, 8.30pm).

Tuesday? This is setting a worrying new precedent. RWC preparations in turmoil.

[Tim]

So which locks will be going to Argentina, Retallick, Tuipulotu, and who else?

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim Hemopo

[ACT Crusader]

@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@Tim Hemopo

Do you reckon Tom Franklin could be a smokey?

[Tim]

@ACT-Crusader I hope not. Been shit in every game against international opposition I've seen him in. Way off it.

[gt12]

@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@Tim Hemopo

Agreed. If not, then it's Fifita or a real bolter.

I have to say that the young Canes lock IWL looks pretty good - played very well today, but surely not his time yet, if it ever comes.

[Tim]

@gt12 Would rank IWL massively ahead of a nobody like Franklin.

[taniwharugby]

So lets say this is our likely starting 15...

Moody
Taylor
FRanks
BBBR
Whitelock
Squire?
Cane/Ardie
Read
Smith/TJP
BB
Reiko
Crotty
Goodhue
Naholo
BFA

Lots of gaps there with them not picking from the Crusaders.

[E African Troll]

@taniwharugby said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

So lets say this is our likely starting 15...

Moody
Taylor
FRanks
BBBR
Whitelock
Squire?
Cane/Ardie
Read
Smith/TJP
BB
Reiko
Crotty
Goodhue
Naholo
BFA

Lots of gaps there with them not picking from the Crusaders.

The pack is much weaker when you have add average players like Pat T at lock, Ofa T as TH prop and Squire

Hemepo will start as will ALB + Harris & a bunch of Hurricanes players

[Machpants]

Our last 23 vs Italy gives some ideas

1. Ofa Tuungafasi (25)

2. Dane Coles (59)

3. Nepo Laulala (16)

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (20)

5. Scott Barrett (28)

6. Vaea Fifita (8)

7. Ardie Savea (34)

8. Kieran Read – captain (117)

9. TJ Perenara (54)

10. Beauden Barrett (72)

11. Waisake Naholo (25)

12. Ngani Laumape (9)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (32)

14. Jordie Barrett (8)

15. Damian McKenzie (22)

16. Nathan Harris (19)

17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (12)

18. Angus Ta’avao (1)

19. Brodie Retallick (74)

20. Dalton Papalii (1)

21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (2)

22. Richie Mo’unga (8)

23. Rieko Ioane (23)

So

1. Ofa Tuungafasi
2. Dane Coles
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (or in 5)
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Squire or Fafita
7. Sam Cane or Ardie
8. Ardie Savea or (yuck) Whitlock
9. Aaron Smith or TJ
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. SBW or Ngani Laumape
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Jordie Barrett or Naholo
15. BFA

?

[ACT Crusader]

@Machpants said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

12. SBW

The Fern might self-destruct if Sonny starts the first test...

[gt12]

OK, now that Super rugby is pretty much done, it's time to think about the squad for the first AB team, and here I've put down my guesses for the 23 for Argentina 1st up. Apart from first five and fullback, we have plenty of riches.

Questions for me are whether they'll use Squire as the second 8. If not, then Akira or L. Whitelock will likely have a chance. Alternatively, they could start Ardie, but since he's had such a big workload, I think they'll put him on the bench. Also, if Squire doesn't play 8, I assume he'll then play at 6, so they'll have to make some decisions about Fifita and Frizzel. Frizzel definitely started Super rugby playing well, but then stopped getting picked - he needs to move to establish himself. Although, I personally think he suits our play better, I think they'll pick Fifita.

The midfield is the one I think they'll select, not what I'd select. However, SBW will need time out there starting to see whether he is worth persevering with.

I assume that Jordie will be given a chance to play himself into the team, either at FB or wing. If not, then Naholo may get one last chance ( I can't see it though, he's been terrible all year) or they could have another look at Nanai as a right winger (or even Alaimalo). Alternatively, I just wonder whether a player like Goosen could get a call up, he's been a bit Cory Jane like at times and looks a better bet for the ABs than Lam. Nevertheless, I haven't picked any of them as I assume it'll be an Ioane, BFA, Barrett back three.

The reserve lock is an interesting pick - I assume it will be Hemopo, but I wonder whether they'll look at one of the two very good young locks running around. Too soon for both IMO, but I think they both look like they'll wear black at some point.

I've put A smith on the bench to give J. Ioane a helping hand when he gets a run, and I did the same with the Chiefs front row (I'd choose Laulala, but they may think that Ta'avao has been playing better). Lomax is a dark horse to get a run here too, as he had some very good games.

1. Tu'inukuafe

2. Coles

3. Tu'ungafasi

4. Tuipulotu

5. Retallick

6. Fifita (Frizzel)

7. Cane

8. Squire

9. TJP

10. B. Barrett

11. R. Ioane

12. SBW

13. ALB

14. BFA

15. J. Barrett

16. Harris (Coltman?)

17. Laulala / Ta’avao (Lomax?)

18. Moli

19. Hemopo (IWL? Parkinson? )

20. Savea

21. A. Smith

22. J. Ioane

23. Laumape

[Stargazer]

It's close to what I would have written down, also assuming who they'll pick in the midfield, not what I would pick. IMO SBW shouldn't be anywhere near the ABs squad.

As to the props, I wonder whether they'll use Tu'ungafasi as the LH.

That could mean:

1 Tu'ungafasi - 3 Laulala/Ta'avao/Lomax
17 Tu'inukuafe - 18 Laulala/Ta'avao/Lomax

I don't expect them to bring many newbies (only where really necessary) into the squad, so reserve lock probably Hemopo.

I can see them start Ardie at no. 8, with Squire at no. 6 and Frizell on the bench.