AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?

[Tim]

@Bones With Sowakula?

[Bones]

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones With Sowakula?

[sparky]

@Tim Bridge and Reece are fine. DMac might easily miss out to a 3rd First Five: either Otere Black or Josh Ioane.

[KiwiMurph]

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

[Tim]

@sparky Apologies Sparky! I saw three names at 10, without seeing that two were Beauden and Barrett.

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

Definitely provides a point of difference - almost a hybrid of Barrett and Mo'unga. Can cover fullback at a big push too, but don't think that would be required.

[sparky]

@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

Agree.

[ACT Crusader]

@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

J Barrett has improved massively on last year, and absolutely should be in the frame. Does he have the wheels to play wing?

Clark and 2 Barrets back 3
Reiko at centre, with laumape
Mounga at 10

Rock star backline.

I would like those rockstar back 3 players to actually receive the ball. Ain’t happening with that midfield....

[sparky]

Angus Ta'avao might well be one of the selected propa but he didn't look too flash in his first game back at the weekend.

[sparky]

Lots of depth in most positions and so much exciting young talent. Good players missing out even on a 35 man squad after lots of injuries.

Only Lock, Half Back and 12 where talent looks thinner.

[sparky]

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@sparky Apologies Sparky! I saw three names at 10, without seeing that two were Beauden and Barrett.

No worries. Think they'll pick DMac or Joah Ioane but not both.

Peter Umaga-Jensen might get the nod. But personally I thibk another year of Mitre 10 and Super Rugby will boast his development.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Only Lock, Half Back and 12 where talent looks thinner.

Crusaders failing us yet again. At least the blues are providing options now...

[antipodean]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

As the days tick down to Ian Foster's first All Blacks squad naming on August 30 there is no shortage of selection debates. The loose forwards, where Lachlan Boshier and Dalton Papalii continue to shine, and outside backs, with rookie Blues wing Caleb Clarke leading the charge, will be hotly contested among the 35 man squad.

Props: Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax, Hodgman
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Locks: S Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Parkinson, Cowley-Tuioti
Back Row: Cane (c), Savea, Frizell, Grace, A Ioane, Papali'i, Sotutu (Bolshier if Grace, Papali'i or Sotutu still injured).
Half Backs: A Smith, Perenera, Drummond Hall
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Mo'unga
Midfield: ALB, Goodhue, only injuries should see them in, R Ioane, Ennor, PUJ, TJF
Back Three: C Clarke, Reece, Jordan, J Barrett, Bridge, McKenzie let's be serious

[Bones]

@antipodean yuuuuuck

[antipodean]

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@antipodean yuuuuuck

You DMac fanbois...

[sparky]

@Bones Will Tucker may eventually be an All Black but needs more gametime at Mitre 10 and Super level.

[Bones]

@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@antipodean yuuuuuck

You DMac fanbois...

You could be onto something - if there's going to be a "bolter" I reckon it'll be Faiane (in the backs). Proper 2nd/5, accurate on defence, likes to put his outsides away, deft boot and his style looks like it'd suit test rugby.

Edit: Ennor can try again next year though.

[Chris]

North v South maybe as close as it gets
Looks more and more like no tests this year .

Mitre 10 cup maybe all we will have after SR this season.

[canefan]

@Chris said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

North v South maybe as close as it gets
Looks more and more like no tests this year .

Mitre 10 cup maybe all we will have after SR this season.

Yes, unless opposition agree to enter quarantine, sanctioned by the government

[sparky]

@Chris said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

North v South maybe as close as it gets
Looks more and more like no tests this year .

Mitre 10 cup maybe all we will have after SR this season.

There are going to be dozens of Rugby Tests later in the year in the UK where over 45,000+ people died with COVID-19.

It will look totally inept if NZR/ the New Zealand can't negotiate the ABs involvement in one Test this year.