Bledisloe #2
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@Chris-B said in Bledisloe #2:
@Paekakboyz You'd think that if Ennor was on the inside track he'd be playing in this game. If he gets picked it will be on the back of 12 minutes of test rugby.
I'm not sure what they will do with Josh Ioane - but, if Beauden is the first choice fullback then surely you have to take Ioane to play some time in the minnow games - well, that's what I'd think.
From the way Hansen was talking about what if Ben or Rieko blow hamstrings or tyres, I'd say they're pretty safe - so from the 17 backs in the frame (original 16 picks + Crotty) I'd think three miss out and it will be a midfielder and two outside backs - I reckon Laumape, Ennor and one of Bridge or Reece or just possibly Jordie.
Leaving:
Smith, Perenara, Weber
Mo'unga, J. Ioane
SBW, Crotty, Goodhue, ALB
B. Barrett, R. Ioane, Smith, Bridge*, J. Barrett- or Reece
Interesting take, but I tend to agree with others that Ioane will be on standby.
I think for 12/13 things will come down to Crotty (injuries permitting) or Laumape. Of course SBW/Kerevi could influence that.
Precedent would suggest five 'back three', in which case Reece and Ennor are probably competing for last place. Jordie's utility value -- 10/14/15 -- would probably get him in. Reece has the X factor TWM are looking for but how he goes against Koroibete will be a big factor.
But as you suggest, four at back would allow four locks to cover BBBR, although one would also need to cover 6. At that point it gets very interesting as I think Benda/Rieko/Bridge safe, meaning that last place would be a real fight.
Ennor's lack of gametime doesn't bode well.
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@Chris-B said in Bledisloe #2:
@Paekakboyz You'd think that if Ennor was on the inside track he'd be playing in this game. If he gets picked it will be on the back of 12 minutes of test rugby.
I'm not sure what they will do with Josh Ioane - but, if Beauden is the first choice fullback then surely you have to take Ioane to play some time in the minnow games - well, that's what I'd think.
From the way Hansen was talking about what if Ben or Rieko blow hamstrings or tyres, I'd say they're pretty safe - so from the 17 backs in the frame (original 16 picks + Crotty) I'd think three miss out and it will be a midfielder and two outside backs - I reckon Laumape, Ennor and one of Bridge or Reece or just possibly Jordie.
Leaving:
Smith, Perenara, Weber
Mo'unga, J. Ioane
SBW, Crotty, Goodhue, ALB
B. Barrett, R. Ioane, Smith, Bridge*, J. Barrett- or Reece
Interesting take, but I tend to agree with others that Ioane will be on standby.
I think for 12/13 things will come down to Crotty (injuries permitting) or Laumape. Of course SBW/Kerevi could influence that.
Precedent would suggest five 'back three', in which case Reece and Ennor are probably competing for last place. Jordie's utility value -- 10/14/15 -- would probably get him in. Reece has the X factor TWM are looking for but how he goes against Koroibete will be a big factor.
But as you suggest, four at back would allow four locks to cover BBBR, although one would also need to cover 6. At that point it gets very interesting as I think Benda/Rieko/Bridge safe, meaning that last place would be a real fight.
Ennor's lack of gametime doesn't bode well.
@pakman It's the other @Chris who is talking about 4 locks and 6 loosies, and it's far from a bad theory. I hadn't really thought about an 18-13 split, but he could easily be right and I follow the logic if Big Brodie is a bit marginal.
But, IMO the rest of the structure is a bit of an arse cover - "Oh, we didn't have three decent 10s once Damien was injured". If they don't select Ioane and it burns us, I'm going to say it was a dumb selection. I can't see where the relative upside among an extra outside backs is.
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@Chris-B I wouldn't discount J Ioane from selection just because he hasn't played yet. In hindsight they should have brought him on in BA in a close test but I can understand why they didn't want to put him in that situation. Three 1st 5s were taken in 2015, with Slade filling that 1st 5/fullback role that DMac would of this year, and BB now does. In 2011, only 2 1st 5s were selected but we ended up using 4. Weepu did provide cover, as TJP might.
You can easily cover for a winger (e.g., ALB) so I wouldn't be selecting too many specialist wingers. I wouldn't be surprised if JB has been discussed by the coaches as a 1st 5 option for the lesser pool games if J Ioane isn't chosen.
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@Chris-B I wouldn't discount J Ioane from selection just because he hasn't played yet. In hindsight they should have brought him on in BA in a close test but I can understand why they didn't want to put him in that situation. Three 1st 5s were taken in 2015, with Slade filling that 1st 5/fullback role that DMac would of this year, and BB now does. In 2011, only 2 1st 5s were selected but we ended up using 4. Weepu did provide cover, as TJP might.
You can easily cover for a winger (e.g., ALB) so I wouldn't be selecting too many specialist wingers. I wouldn't be surprised if JB has been discussed by the coaches as a 1st 5 option for the lesser pool games if J Ioane isn't chosen.
@Bovidae Yeah - we're still discussing hypotheticals.
I can see why they haven't used him yet - but, I'm still advocating, and even expecting, that they'll pick him in the final squad.
Of course, if we lose tomorrow due to our forwards getting their arses handed to them, then I'll probably look like even more of a rugby savant and Steve can pm me.
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@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe #2:
@Bovidae they should save Garces for French schoolboy rugby.
Whinging
pomsKiwisThe guy is a decent ref, and the forum is pathetic the way people whine on all the time about him.
Let's not mention the NZ Herald with their "wasn't a red card" crusade this week, and you can see why Stephen Jones whips himself up into a state of frenzy.
@Billy-Tell oh well, fuck off then if it is such a problem for you.
You whinge and bitch about players, why cant people express thier views on how the ref went too?
I already said above I felt he had no choice in the RC.
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@Machpants said in Bledisloe #2:
When the RWC squad named,, or have to be named by?
8th September squad to be announced, so they could wait until after Tonga
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@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe #2:
@Bovidae they should save Garces for French schoolboy rugby.
Whinging
pomsKiwisThe guy is a decent ref, and the forum is pathetic the way people whine on all the time about him.
Let's not mention the NZ Herald with their "wasn't a red card" crusade this week, and you can see why Stephen Jones whips himself up into a state of frenzy.
@Billy-Tell said in Bledisloe #2:
The guy is a decent ref,
He's a decent ref some of the time. Personally, I don't think he's of international standard.
As for the Fern, the most outrage directed towards a Ref I can recall in its long and illustrious history, was against Romain Poitre for his ridiculous red-carding of Bismark Du Plessis ( a bokke, BTW) in 2013
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@pakman more importantly, I don't believe we've won a world cup without someone born overseas in the back 5. Reece it is.
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I’m picking Squire to be the addition to the WC squad - he apparently played well for Ta$man last week. He’s not as good as I’d like, but, he’s better than what else we have.
A big test for Hemopo too - I’d probably leave Fifita and Frizell at home and take Squire and Hemopo plus four locks, Read and Ardie, plus Cane. I assume that Todd is safe, especially if they want to use Cane and Ardie in the big games.
This week is, to me, a shoot out between Bridge and Reece. Personally, I’d take Bridge as he is the best Smith replacement, meaning that we could bench Bender if required (as I can’t see him being left out). Jordie must be the utility, perhaps covering 10 in the pool games (with TJP), so I assume he’s safe too.
I’d only take Ioane, Bender, Bridge, and Jordie as my outsides, so that I could carry an extra forward (BBBR). Personally I think Ioane needs lots of game time to find his groove. We need him at his best. That definitely means no Ioane, so it’s risky - Jordie and TJP (perhaps Crotty) must cover 10. If we lost a first five, we’re buggered.
Btw, still ogling topless girls here in the south, so will look forward to the game thread, including score updates please!
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@Billy-Tell said in Bledisloe #2:
The guy is a decent ref,
He's a decent ref some of the time. Personally, I don't think he's of international standard.
As for the Fern, the most outrage directed towards a Ref I can recall in its long and illustrious history, was against Romain Poitre for his ridiculous red-carding of Bismark Du Plessis ( a bokke, BTW) in 2013
@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@Billy-Tell said in Bledisloe #2:
The guy is a decent ref,
He's a decent ref some of the time. Personally, I don't think he's of international standard.
As for the Fern, the most outrage directed towards a Ref I can recall in its long and illustrious history, was against Romain Poitre for his ridiculous red-carding of Bismark Du Plessis ( a bokke, BTW) in 2013
I see you, and raise you a Wayne Barnes 2007.
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #2:
@Duluth said in Bledisloe #2:
Ioane
it was a poor jab aimed that the guys in front of him
A very poor one at that...
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The most recent squad was described as for Bledisloe. So could there be additions for Tonga?
@pakman said in Bledisloe #2:
The most recent squad was described as for Bledisloe. So could there be additions for Tonga?
I’m hearing Brett Cameron and Matt Proctor will play against Tonga.....
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I’m picking Squire to be the addition to the WC squad - he apparently played well for Ta$man last week. He’s not as good as I’d like, but, he’s better than what else we have.
A big test for Hemopo too - I’d probably leave Fifita and Frizell at home and take Squire and Hemopo plus four locks, Read and Ardie, plus Cane. I assume that Todd is safe, especially if they want to use Cane and Ardie in the big games.
This week is, to me, a shoot out between Bridge and Reece. Personally, I’d take Bridge as he is the best Smith replacement, meaning that we could bench Bender if required (as I can’t see him being left out). Jordie must be the utility, perhaps covering 10 in the pool games (with TJP), so I assume he’s safe too.
I’d only take Ioane, Bender, Bridge, and Jordie as my outsides, so that I could carry an extra forward (BBBR). Personally I think Ioane needs lots of game time to find his groove. We need him at his best. That definitely means no Ioane, so it’s risky - Jordie and TJP (perhaps Crotty) must cover 10. If we lost a first five, we’re buggered.
Btw, still ogling topless girls here in the south, so will look forward to the game thread, including score updates please!
@gt12 said in Bledisloe #2:
I’m picking Squire to be the addition to the WC squad - he apparently played well for Ta$man last week. He’s not as good as I’d like, but, he’s better than what else we have.
Hansen will need to convince Squire to make himself available according to this article.
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #2:
@Duluth said in Bledisloe #2:
Ioane
it was a poor jab aimed that the guys in front of him
A very poor one at that...
@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe #2:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #2:
@Duluth said in Bledisloe #2:
Ioane
it was a poor jab aimed that the guys in front of him
A very poor one at that...
Easy...
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@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@Billy-Tell said in Bledisloe #2:
The guy is a decent ref,
He's a decent ref some of the time. Personally, I don't think he's of international standard.
As for the Fern, the most outrage directed towards a Ref I can recall in its long and illustrious history, was against Romain Poitre for his ridiculous red-carding of Bismark Du Plessis ( a bokke, BTW) in 2013
I see you, and raise you a Wayne Barnes 2007.
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@Bovidae I think we're at one other than back up LH.
Agreed that when Karl was let go it was Moli's to lose. But from what I saw on Saturday, not only in scrums, but also in work around field, it's too early for him.
Which means Ofa is a chance, but if not if it were me I'd take Karl, although if it came to that I have a hunch TWM would send for Perry, and that I'd be dead against.
@pakman said in Bledisloe #2:
@Bovidae I think we're at one other than back up LH.
Agreed that when Karl was let go it was Moli's to lose. But from what I saw on Saturday, not only in scrums, but also in work around field, it's too early for him.
Which means Ofa is a chance, but if not if it were me I'd take Karl, although if it came to that I have a hunch TWM would send for Perry, and that I'd be dead against.
Karl T big game tonight for Harbour, but limped off with leg injury.
