2019 Rugby Championship
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Foster just said on the breakdown that Havili was definitely in the conversation and that he couldn't have done more during the SR season. He was close. The reason why he didn't make it was that "they couldn't take everyone". I guess that means that if there are further injuries before the RWC, he still has a chance to make it into the squad.
Strangely enough, last year they said about Havili that he had the advantage of his versatility in that he could play both at fullback and 12. Now, Foster said that he wasn't versatile enough because he could only play at fullback and in the midfield. That's a head scratcher.
@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
Foster just said on the breakdown that Havili was definitely in the conversation and that he couldn't have done more during the SR season. He was close. The reason why he didn't make it was that "they couldn't take everyone". I guess that means that if there are further injuries before the RWC, he still has a chance to make it into the squad.
Strangely enough, last year they said about Havili that he had the advantage of his versatility in that he could play both at fullback and 12. Now, Foster said that he wasn't versatile enough because he could only play at fullback and in the midfield. That's a head scratcher.
That says to me he is in competition with Jordie. They see Jordie as having the ability to play wing.
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@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
Foster just said on the breakdown that Havili was definitely in the conversation and that he couldn't have done more during the SR season. He was close. The reason why he didn't make it was that "they couldn't take everyone". I guess that means that if there are further injuries before the RWC, he still has a chance to make it into the squad.
Strangely enough, last year they said about Havili that he had the advantage of his versatility in that he could play both at fullback and 12. Now, Foster said that he wasn't versatile enough because he could only play at fullback and in the midfield. That's a head scratcher.
That says to me he is in competition with Jordie. They see Jordie as having the ability to play wing.
@KiwiMurph Yeah, I think so, too. And that's also why I don't agree with Havili missing out, because he has played better than Jordie this year.
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Some potential ‘real’ bolters (is, not Ennor, Reece who are in the discussion here at least) might be IWL/PPP at lock; Jacobsen if they have decided that the current 6s aren’t working out; Jordan in the outside backs. Who else?
@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
Some potential ‘real’ bolters (is, not Ennor, Reece who are in the discussion here at least) might be IWL/PPP at lock; Jacobson if they have decided that the current 6s aren’t working out; Jordan in the outside backs. Who else?
Not bad, if I do say so. I'm pleasantly surprised by that selection - it's due to no Squire, of course, but it does throw up some interesting new permutations. I personally think he's been the form 6 of the competition, but I'm still surprised that he's been selected. It would be great if he shows class - we need a good 6, which clearly the selectors are still worried about.
And bye by Luke Whitelock - Ardie and Frizell are covering 8 by the looks.
Can anyone see Squire coming back for WC selection?
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@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
Some potential ‘real’ bolters (is, not Ennor, Reece who are in the discussion here at least) might be IWL/PPP at lock; Jacobson if they have decided that the current 6s aren’t working out; Jordan in the outside backs. Who else?
Not bad, if I do say so. I'm pleasantly surprised by that selection - it's due to no Squire, of course, but it does throw up some interesting new permutations. I personally think he's been the form 6 of the competition, but I'm still surprised that he's been selected. It would be great if he shows class - we need a good 6, which clearly the selectors are still worried about.
And bye by Luke Whitelock - Ardie and Frizell are covering 8 by the looks.
Can anyone see Squire coming back for WC selection?
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No idea, but I assume that this means that his AB career is over - isn't he off at the end of the year? Do you think he was told something then made himself unavailable? I don't understand why he wouldn't make himself unavailable - was anything said about it at the presser?
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No idea, but I assume that this means that his AB career is over - isn't he off at the end of the year? Do you think he was told something then made himself unavailable? I don't understand why he wouldn't make himself unavailable - was anything said about it at the presser?
@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
No idea, but I assume that this means that his AB career is over - isn't he off at the end of the year? Do you think he was told something then made himself unavailable? I don't understand why he wouldn't make himself unavailable - was anything said about it at the presser?
Hansen very strongly implied he was in the squad until he made himself unavailable.
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@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
No idea, but I assume that this means that his AB career is over - isn't he off at the end of the year? Do you think he was told something then made himself unavailable? I don't understand why he wouldn't make himself unavailable - was anything said about it at the presser?
Hansen very strongly implied he was in the squad until he made himself unavailable.
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Holy shit. Totally stoked on the new rookies making the squad. Aumua I would argue doesn't deserve to be there.
@Yeetyaah said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
Holy shit. Totally stoked on the new rookies making the squad. Aumua I would argue doesn't deserve to be there.
He is lucky, lucky we don't have a really good 3rd hooker right now. But he is a very strong ball runner and tackler. But throws into the lineout like an old blind man with parkinsons.
I'm pretty happy with all the selections actually.
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@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
Ta. Hmm.
Did anyone ask if he'll come back into the reckoning for WC?
Nah it wasn’t asked, but Hansen went on a bit about what a good bloke he was for making himself unavailable. Seemed to be suggesting he’s still in the picture for later this season
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@Canes4life In all seriousness I reckon that is on the cards.
I think I remember he only committed to the Blues for 1 season (his actual NZRU deal was longer).
I wouldn't be surprised if he went to Canes and the NZ Rugby fan in me would welcome it.
@KiwiMurph Commited for two seasons. Could see him moving anyway though.
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@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
@SammyC Is that a direct quote?
Nice to get some actual answers!
Yeah I’m watching the announcement and paused it to type that. Thought a few on here would be interested
@SammyC said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
@SammyC Is that a direct quote?
Nice to get some actual answers!
Yeah I’m watching the announcement and paused it to type that. Thought a few on here would be interested
You know the sad thing is as an absolute Akira fanboi is that he's dropped so far off the radar I'm no longer disappointed that he's missed out.
Am disappointed we don't get the benefit of his talents. And that's down to him.
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No idea, but I assume that this means that his AB career is over - isn't he off at the end of the year? Do you think he was told something then made himself unavailable? I don't understand why he wouldn't make himself unavailable - was anything said about it at the presser?
@gt12 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:
No idea, but I assume that this means that his AB career is over - isn't he off at the end of the year? Do you think he was told something then made himself unavailable? I don't understand why he wouldn't make himself unavailable - was anything said about it at the presser?
He'd previously missed games for family circumstances, I wonder if it the same stuff (whatever that was) still hanging over his head. You've gotta go full on commitment to be an AB.
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@number9 Cos the AB selectors know more about selecting than you, I guess. He's been good, and has long term upsides. They're developing like they did Ardie, apprentice etc. he turned out alright in the end.
I hope one of those extended number of lose forwards stands up and grips the 6 position, cos there are tons of almost players there. It will be worse if none do cos then we may have an undercooked Squire pulled in. ALso I really hope SBW either totally owns it or totally stuffs up. As with 6, midfield is a mess and really needs time together - IMO ABs tests are not he place to bring a player up to speed. And SBW is well off pace, and Crotty out for entire RC - a mess.
Just what we need at a RWC, midfield conundrums - goes really well that.
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Not a bad squad. 2 Magpies is a good start.
What a difference a year makes, a year ago I was going WTF is Frizell doing in the squad he doesn't even start, now I'm thinking thank fudge he's kept the Luckiest Luke out of the team. Glad Hemopo made the squad too.
I need to have one big complaint or else I wouldn't be me, so: not sure I'm happy with Reece being there (not for rugby reasons obviously) - people seem to forget that he had signed to go overseas before his contract got cancelled. That suggests he was hitching his wagon to Fiji and now all of a sudden he's full on Kiwi again.
