AB squad for the Rugby Championship
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
To me you keep Todd on ice as we already have 2 world class opensides in the squad. Don't see the point in picking a 3rd openside who isn't versatile. Would rather see Papalii or Frizzell - though hopefully they pick Hemopo at 6.
Fifitas selection is a real head scratcher though.
If they intend to play Ardie at 8 in pool games, keeping Todd in the squad is IMO the right decision. Nobody else but Read and Ardie play 8 well enough at test level, esp with Squire out of the picture. None of the other loosies (not including Cane and Ardie) are good enough to play at 7 at test level. It's a no-brainer to keep Todd at this stage.
I get the point that 7 is the most specialised position in the back row but if he isn't starting then he isn't a versatile bench pick. Maybe they want to ensure Cane and Ardie are as fresh as possible.
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@Higgins said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Here is a left field suggestion. Maybe Frizell has been left out because the three selectors have decided he is a certainty for the World Cup and they are playing off the remaining two No 6s to see which will be his back up?
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
He's taken himself off the table - non rugby related issues seems to be the challenge.
Plus, how do you get fitness back into him with only 2 months left. WOuld be a challenge even if he came right straight away
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The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
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@mofitzy_ Who says Todd won't start in pool games (if Ardie is starting at 8 ) and Read gets a rest?
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ Who says Todd won't start in pool games (if Ardie is starting at 8 ) and Read gets a rest?
He almost certainly will. You could easily play Jacobson or Papalii at 7 in the tier 2 pool games though.
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
But they need one at 7?
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ Who says Todd won't start in pool games (if Ardie is starting at 8 ) and Read gets a rest?
He almost certainly will. You could easily play Jacobson or Papalii at 7 in the tier 2 pool games though.
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@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
He's taken himself off the table - non rugby related issues seems to be the challenge.
Plus, how do you get fitness back into him with only 2 months left. WOuld be a challenge even if he came right straight away
@nzzp said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
He's taken himself off the table - non rugby related issues seems to be the challenge.
Plus, how do you get fitness back into him with only 2 months left. WOuld be a challenge even if he came right straight away
did he leave himself open for RWC? I can't remember what the messaging around him was.
I think for a loosie it's much easier to maintain or get your fitness to the right level.. it's the match fitness that the tighties really need to get.
Shag would surely be hoping for him to come back based on what we've seen from the blokes who've been given their chance thus far..
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@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
But they need one at 7?
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph So the player nobody wants would have to cover 6, lock and 8 in your scenario? No thanks.
You missed my point. Playing minnows in pool play we don't need a gun 8 to play 8.
But they need one at 7?
No? So the 3rd ranked specialist 7 is not required.
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@Higgins said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Here is a left field suggestion. Maybe Frizell has been left out because the three selectors have decided he is a certainty for the World Cup and they are playing off the remaining two No 6s to see which will be his back up?
How does Squire fit into that equation though??
@WillieTheWaiter I'm waiting to see if Squire gets named in the Mako team to play Otago on Friday night.
Frizell got an exemption to play in the Nelson club final, but Squire didn't play (I think they're both registered to Nelson Marist).
Mako played a warm-up vs Canterbury last weekend, Squire didn't play.
Doesn't seem like what would be happening if Liam was desperately trying to get match fit.
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@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
I made this prediction a while ago.
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@WillieTheWaiter I'm waiting to see if Squire gets named in the Mako team to play Otago on Friday night.
Frizell got an exemption to play in the Nelson club final, but Squire didn't play (I think they're both registered to Nelson Marist).
Mako played a warm-up vs Canterbury last weekend, Squire didn't play.
Doesn't seem like what would be happening if Liam was desperately trying to get match fit.
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@Chris-B didn't I read that Squire had personal issues too? Seems like rugby is not his #1 priority right now
@canefan said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Chris-B didn't I read that Squire had personal issues too? Seems like rugby is not his #1 priority right now
i can't beleive no one on here has the inside word.
the Southern wing of this organisation is farking useless!
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@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
I made this prediction a while ago.
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
I made this prediction a while ago.
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
Two selections I don’t get: Todd and Fifita. Beyond that, I can see the rationale for everyone else.
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@Chris-B didn't I read that Squire had personal issues too? Seems like rugby is not his #1 priority right now
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@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@WillieTheWaiter said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
The articles say that Laulala will play for C-M before joining the squad for Perth. No mention of the reason behind Tu'inukuafe's exclusion (yet) so he might have been overtaken by Moli with Tu'ungafasi also able to play LH. It could be down to Laulala vs Ta'avao now.
there shouldn't be any surprises if Moli has overtaken him. Bigger, very mobile for his size and got some very decent ball skills on him.
I made this prediction a while ago.
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
Two selections I don’t get: Todd and Fifita. Beyond that, I can see the rationale for everyone else.
@gt12 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
They need to explore all options in these Bledisloe Cup games. The Aust scrum is strong when they have their best props playing.
Moli has only recently converted to LH, and that was a directive from the AB coaches. He is still learning his trade.
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@gt12 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
They need to explore all options in these Bledisloe Cup games. The Aust scrum is strong when they have their best props playing.
Moli has only recently converted to LH, and that was a directive from the AB coaches. He is still learning his trade.
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
They need to explore all options in these Bledisloe Cup games. The Aust scrum is strong when they have their best props playing.
@nta will be on that like a rash! You're spot on - their set piece has been ok for some time now, but unfairly maligned based on past performance. Kind of like the AB lineout; it's been ages since we were rubbish, but I still get legacy squeaky bum at critical times...
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Last year I was shaking my head at Frizell's selection, this year I'm shaking my head at his non selection.
I like Jacobson though, and Papali'i - wouldn't have minded if they'd kept either of them.
@Nepia said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Last year I was shaking my head at Frizell's selection, this year I'm shaking my head at his non selection.
I like Jacobson though, and Papali'i - wouldn't have minded if they'd kept either of them.
Yeah - I'm pretty startled at Shannon's non-selection. I'd have thought he'd have had a spot locked up.
Of note is that Scott Barrett has returned to replace Retallick.
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@gt12 said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
He’s been a good project of theirs, I wonder if they’ll turn him and Ta’avao/Ofa loose off the bench against Oz? Would make a huge difference to have ball playing front towers come on in the last 25. I assume that we’ll start to see more pieces of the puzzle from now on.
They need to explore all options in these Bledisloe Cup games. The Aust scrum is strong when they have their best props playing.
Moli has only recently converted to LH, and that was a directive from the AB coaches. He is still learning his trade.
@Bovidae said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Moli has only recently converted to LH, and that was a directive from the AB coaches. He is still learning his trade.
I guess this also helps explain why Tim Perry is still seemingly in the frame.
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@Nepia said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
Last year I was shaking my head at Frizell's selection, this year I'm shaking my head at his non selection.
I like Jacobson though, and Papali'i - wouldn't have minded if they'd kept either of them.
Yeah - I'm pretty startled at Shannon's non-selection. I'd have thought he'd have had a spot locked up.
Of note is that Scott Barrett has returned to replace Retallick.
