Name Your AB Team

BerniesCorner

The winning SR Final halfback will probably start against England

Frank

Christie has had a bloody charmed run.

-Got selected for the ABs because of there being no viable alternatives behind Smith (admittedly showing some good form)

-Has never showed anything special in Black

-Inexplicably preferred over Roigard for key finals match-ups in the World Cup.

-Clearly usurped by his back-up at the Blues this year.

-Tin-asses his way into the ABs because of Roigard's injury, his rivals' inexperience, and perceived steadiness.

-Now, if the Blues win, he might ride the coat tails of the Blues forwards as the starting halfback for the ABs.

(oh - and he's ginga)

BerniesCorner

Regardless of what happens in the SR Final I'd pick Ratima- DMac

sparky

@BerniesCorner said in Name Your AB Team:

Regardless of what happens in the SR Final I'd pick Ratima- DMac

Still true, both were okay in tough circumstances today.

BerniesCorner

@sparky
Yeah I'm still in the Ratima-DMac camp.

sparky

Ethan De Groot
Codie Taylor
Tyrell Lomax
Patrick Tuipolutu
Scott Barrett
Akira Ioane
Dalton Papalii
Ardie Savea (c)
Ratima
DMac
Clarke
Jordie Barrett
Reiko Ioane
M. Telea
R. Love

16 Aumua
17 Numia
18 Newell
19 Darry
20 Sotutu
21 TJP
22 B. Barrett
23 Proctor

Victor Meldrew

@BerniesCorner said in Name Your AB Team:

@sparky
Yeah I'm still in the Ratima-DMac camp.

Settled combination with TJP in the 23 in case Ratima has a 'mare

cgrant

@sparky
Numia is out injured while I have serious doubts about an Akira Ioane's call because he's off to Japan.
So T. Williams or Of a T instead of Numia and X instead of Ioane, otherwise I agree with your selections.

sparky

@cgrant I saw something suggesting Numia might be fit.

Re: Akira. I suggest you Google "Zinzan Brooke Sea Eagles".

Bones

Yeah thought Finau still had some good moments, a couple of the times Tuipulotu was breaking tackles it was a hard hit from Finau that stopped him.

sparky

If Jason Ryan and Scott Robertson turn their noses up at Akira, then Blackadder or Finau are possibles at 6, the next cabs on the rank. Then Grace after that.

Longer term, I'd be looking to develop Sotutu or Sititi to play there.

Bones

@sparky said in Name Your AB Team:

If Jason Ryan and Scott Robertson turn their noses up at Akira, then Blackadder or Finau are possibles at 6, the next cabs on the rank. Then Grace after that.

Longer term, I'd be looking to develop Sotutu or Sititi to play there.

Yeah true, Finau is getting on in his years so won't have many more seasons in the tank.

sparky

@Bones I think Sotutu and Sititi are better players than Finau, but hard to throw them at 6 against England off a short prep when they haven't been playing there.

Bones

@sparky said in Name Your AB Team:

@Bones I think Sotutu and Sititi are better players than Finau, but hard to throw them at 6 against England off a short prep when they haven't been playing there.

I think you've jumped the shark.

sparky

@Bones Developing players to play in two different back row positions at Test level is something practically every other country in the world does.

Bones

@sparky said in Name Your AB Team:

@Bones Developing players to play in two different back row positions at Test level is something practically every other country in the world does.

Shit I had no idea, thanks.

frugby

Final All Blacks Squad Prediction

Props:
de Groot
Williams
Tu'ungafasi
Lomax
Newell

Hookers:
Taylor
Aumua
McAllister (If Taukei'aho is injured)

Locks:
Barrett
Tuipulotu
Darry
Vaa'i

Loose Forwards:
Papalii
Savea
Blackadder
Sotutu
Finau
Lakai

Halfbacks:
Christie
Perenara
Fakatava

First Fives:
McKenzie
Barrett
Perofeta

Midfielders:
Barrett
Havili
Ioane
Lienert-Brown

Outside Backs:
Tele'a
Clarke
Reece
Narawa

chchfanatic

Props:
de Groot
Williams
Tu'ungafasi
Lomax
Newell
Bower

Hookers:
Taylor
Aumua
Bell if no Taukieho

Locks:
Barrett CC
Tuipulotu
Vaa'i

Loose Forwards:
Papalii
Savea CC
Blackadder
Sititi
Finau
Cane

Halfbacks:
Christie
Perenara
Ratima

First Fives:
McKenzie
Plummer

Midfielders:
Barrett
Havili
Ioane
Lienert-Brown

Outside Backs:
Tele'a
Clarke
Reece
Narawa
Barrett

george33

@chchfanatic is this some kind of wind up?

booboo

@chchfanatic that'll wind up the southern North Islanders

The Silver Fern

Name Your AB Team