World Cup Squad Positions
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@shark said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I don't think for a second that they'll take four specialist locks.
I think they almost certainly will; Whitelock, Rettalick, Barrett and probably Patty T.
Rettalick and Whitelock are on a shortlist of players who would be given the Richie treatment and retained in the squad if they picked up a serious injury with a questionable prognosis where they might be able to return later in the tournament. I'll take either at 85% with a five week layoff in a potential semi-final and final over most other options. The selectors are unlikely to put themselves in a situation where they could be forced to make a call to send either one home because of inadequate cover. Along those lines Chicago was a good reality check on how grim things can be without legitimate locking.
@rotated said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@shark said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I don't think for a second that they'll take four specialist locks.
I think they almost certainly will; Whitelock, Rettalick, Barrett and probably Patty T.
Rettalick and Whitelock are on a shortlist of players who would be given the Richie treatment and retained in the squad if they picked up a serious injury with a questionable prognosis where they might be able to return later in the tournament. I'll take either at 85% with a five week layoff in a potential semi-final and final over most other options. The selectors are unlikely to put themselves in a situation where they could be forced to make a call to send either one home because of inadequate cover. Along those lines Chicago was a good reality check on how grim things can be without legitimate locking.
They might take that group, but Barrett would be the utility
My last comment on the potential make-up was:
There's a chance they'll take Tuipulotu and Barrett could take the Fifita/Hemopo spot.italicised text
I thought he looked good when shifted to 6 on Saturday night, and also earlier proved his mobility with that 40m try. However there was a piece on Stuff yesterday saying Hansen still regards him as a lock. That being the case, revert to my prior assertion re Whitelock, Retallick, Barrett and one of Fifita or Hemopo.
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@Chester-Draws said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Snowy said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@MN5 With the common denominator over all positions is a great lock (and 1st 5). Chances are you can get away with being weak somewhere on the field but the pattern is that the great teams have a great lock.
No. That's bollocks.
Lock just isn't the second most important position in a team.
You've taken some teams, and advanced a theory that fits those small number of teams. It's a bad case of post hoc ergo propter hoc.
But the rest of us watch rugby. And lock isn't more important than prop or hooker or halfback. Or second five or fullback.
Great teams have great players. Odds are, one of them is a lock. That's hardly proof you need a great lock to be a great team. It's proof you need great players to be a great team.
Bang goes the oft quoted theory that a champion team will always beat a team of champions.
@Higgins said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Odds are, one of them is a lock.
Yep.
I never said lock was second most important. I never assigned rankings to any position. I said that there was a theme of great locks being in great teams (and I watch an awful lot of rugby and have done for 45+ years).
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So far have this, still considering 3 x 1st Fives or add another Prop.
Taylor
Coles
ColtmanMoody
Franks
Tu'ungafasi
Tu'inukuafeRetallick
Whitelock
S.Barrett
TuipolutuCane
Savea
Read
Squire
PapaliiA. Smith
Perenara
WeberB. Barrett
Mo'ungaCrotty
Goodhue
ALB
SBW
LaumapeIoane
B. Smith
J. Barrett
Bridge -
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1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
@mariner4life said in World Cup Squad Positions:
1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
Yeah, altho I like that midfield group, would rather drop Bridge and bring in a Prop
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@mariner4life said in World Cup Squad Positions:
1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
Yeah, altho I like that midfield group, would rather drop Bridge and bring in a Prop
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@mariner4life said in World Cup Squad Positions:
1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
Yeah, altho I like that midfield group, would rather drop Bridge and bring in a Prop
@Paj said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@mariner4life said in World Cup Squad Positions:
1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
Yeah, altho I like that midfield group, would rather drop Bridge and bring in a Prop
Yes - but how are you going to use that fifth midfielder in a big game?
You've got two playing. And one on the bench. One sitting in the stands in case someone gets injured in warm-ups.
And the fastest one running down to the local fish and chip shop with Shag and Fozzie's halftime order.
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Is this a bet thing? If so, you’ll have to make a decision, the AB selectors have made it clear they are only taking four midfielders and will need five props.
@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Is this a bet thing? If so, you’ll have to make a decision, the AB selectors have made it clear they are only taking four midfielders and will need five props.
Yeah, 12 mates catching up for weekend have to bring squad & $20 entry closest to Hansens wins.
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@Paj said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@mariner4life said in World Cup Squad Positions:
1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
Yeah, altho I like that midfield group, would rather drop Bridge and bring in a Prop
Yes - but how are you going to use that fifth midfielder in a big game?
You've got two playing. And one on the bench. One sitting in the stands in case someone gets injured in warm-ups.
And the fastest one running down to the local fish and chip shop with Shag and Fozzie's halftime order.
@Chris-B said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Paj said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@mariner4life said in World Cup Squad Positions:
1 too many in the midfield, need another prop
Yeah, altho I like that midfield group, would rather drop Bridge and bring in a Prop
Yes - but how are you going to use that fifth midfielder in a big game?
You've got two playing. And one on the bench. One sitting in the stands in case someone gets injured in warm-ups.
And the fastest one running down to the local fish and chip shop with Shag and Fozzie's halftime order.
I know, just posted what I had at this stage, needs a few tweeks. Liked that group, but most likely Laumape will get dropped
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You could also consider leaving out a three quarter for another 1st five. On that one, they’ve been less clear.
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@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Is this a bet thing? If so, you’ll have to make a decision, the AB selectors have made it clear they are only taking four midfielders and will need five props.
Yeah, 12 mates catching up for weekend have to bring squad & $20 entry closest to Hansens wins.
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@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
You could also consider leaving out a three quarter for another 1st five. On that one, they’ve been less clear.
Still think 3 1st fives is way to go, but can't work out who
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By the way, does your squad only have 30 names? In which case, you might have lost already? Isn’t it 31?
In mine, probably Harris goes, plus add Laulala or even perhaps Lomax? Pat T might stay home (I’d probably pick him), and I’ll be surprised if either of Frizzel or Whitelock don’t go. Ioane will have been played into the ground by then. Frizzel plus Squire covers 6 & 8 pretty well - I’m not sure if the time is right for Paps yet either.
In the backs, HBs are the form guys, you need an extra 10, midfield depends on injury, and only 2 outsides are set.
Jodie may sneak in due to lack of competition but if Ioane got injured we’d be pretty small and not overly fast.
If I had to bet on a real bolter, I’m starting to like Ennor more and more, but I don’t think it’s his time yet and he won’t get a chance against the Argies as he’s a Crusader.
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By the way, does your squad only have 30 names? In which case, you might have lost already? Isn’t it 31?
In mine, probably Harris goes, plus add Laulala or even perhaps Lomax? Pat T might stay home (I’d probably pick him), and I’ll be surprised if either of Frizzel or Whitelock don’t go. Ioane will have been played into the ground by then. Frizzel plus Squire covers 6 & 8 pretty well - I’m not sure if the time is right for Paps yet either.
In the backs, HBs are the form guys, you need an extra 10, midfield depends on injury, and only 2 outsides are set.
Jodie may sneak in due to lack of competition but if Ioane got injured we’d be pretty small and not overly fast.
If I had to bet on a real bolter, I’m starting to like Ennor more and more, but I don’t think it’s his time yet and he won’t get a chance against the Argies as he’s a Crusader.
@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
By the way, does your squad only have 30 names? In which case, you might have lost already? Isn’t it 31?
In mine, probably Harris goes, plus add Laulala or even perhaps Lomax? Pat T might stay home (I’d probably pick him), and I’ll be surprised if either of Frizzel or Whitelock don’t go. Ioane will have been played into the ground by then. Frizzel plus Squire covers 6 & 8 pretty well - I’m not sure if the time is right for Paps yet either.
In the backs, HBs are the form guys, you need an extra 10, midfield depends on injury, and only 2 outsides are set.
Jodie may sneak in due to lack of competition but if Ioane got injured we’d be pretty small and not overly fast.
If I had to bet on a real bolter, I’m starting to like Ennor more and more, but I don’t think it’s his time yet and he won’t get a chance against the Argies as he’s a Crusader.
Still have to add 1 more.
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Craig Dowd, for an ex forward, loves his backs!
Craig Dowd's New Zealand World Cup squad:
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks;
Hookers: Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles;
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Back-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, David Havili, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
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Craig Dowd, for an ex forward, loves his backs!
Craig Dowd's New Zealand World Cup squad:
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks;
Hookers: Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles;
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Back-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, David Havili, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
@Machpants I like the look of that team. Problem again is that SBW is guaranteed a spot.
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@Machpants I like the look of that team. Problem again is that SBW is guaranteed a spot.
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@Yeetyaah I'm not so sure. SBW is guaranteed a spot on the (extended) RC squad if fit. But he'll still have to prove himself to get to the RWC tho in my opinion.
@Machpants I really hope so. I feel Laumape would be the one to miss out which would be a shame as he's been in great form.
