If the ABs are set on the Beau-unga combo then it would be awesome to see DMac have a crack at the Sevens for the Olympics. You wouldn't want to give him the tiniest bit of space.

@KiwiMurph said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:

@kiwiinmelb Jordie and Ice. Two players that looked/look best at 12 but hardly ever play/played there!

They hardly ever play there but are best there?
Somehow quite a few selectors must disagree

@Catogrande said in Hansen needs his head read:

England.
France because 3 finals and no cup.
Wales because they’ve been playing well and despite the fact we’ll never hear the last of it.
Ireland.
No SH big 3, you’ve had it often enough.

It’s not a fucking participation award.

Scotland (yeah right)
Anyone but England after that but …
Japan
France (you never know with these guys at a RWC)
I'd go for Argentina but the thought of the World champs playing 4 years of friendlies irritates me
Not Australia

….actually I don't want anyone else to win

@westcoastie said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:

Forwards (17)
Laulala, Angus, Moody, Ofa, Franks
Coles, Taylor, Coltman
Whitelock, BBBR, SBarrett, Tuipolutou
Read, Savea, Cane, Todd + if available - Squire, if not - Hemopo

Backs (14)
TJP, Aaron, Weber
Mounga, BB (TJP could play 10 against minnows - no coincidence he played some time at 10 during Super Rugby)
SBW, ALB, Goodhue +1 (I want Laumape, but suspect Crotty)
Bridge, Reece, Rieko, Bender, JBarrett

I reckon that is about right. With the only question being whether it’s three 10s or 5 outside backs

@canefan said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:

A few boys whose futures weren't assured punched their tickets to Japan tonight. Bridge, Reece, SBW, Patty T all rocked. Laumape looks like just missing out, JB strengthened his case with a nice cameo. The picture feels like its becoming clearer

I think Laumape will get the nod over an unlucky Crotty. Would be pretty unfair to ditch a guy doing nothing wrong for someone who hasn’t played and may take time to get up to speed.
Also, if SBW is the game plan for the midfield balance then Laumape is a better like for like.

Back three will be interesting. I guess that BB allows an extra because he counts as a 10 but with Bender not likely to be dropped there is room for 3 more from Rieko, JB, Bridge and Reece. (Ennor not required)
I’m pretty sure Reece is the X factor that always pops up just before the RWC. The TWM will know more about Rieko’s headspace and whether he has hit a wall very early (lesson learned from Julian Savea?) but without him we lack punch should Reece get injured and Bridge is also then the only real left wing option.
That kind of points to only one of Bridge and JB going.

I know this was a hard game to only pick three but currently Bridge is sitting on more votes than ALB and Cane FFS.
Nice for a new guy to play well and do his job but he was not in the same class as those guys and they were even below a few others.

@nzzp said in Bledisloe #2:

@Snowy said in Bledisloe #2:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:

SouthernMann had the good oil!

Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down.

Was going to complain about this, but @Snowy beat me to it. It upsets the natural order of things.

also, thanks @SouthernMann good consistent oil, cheers

It’s called sauce. Get it right.

@Billy-Tell said in Bledisloe #2:

@Tim said in Bledisloe #2:

Ben Smith and Franks gone!

Maybe it's just an experiment, but I think sacrificing Ben Smith is a big mistake, at least for the RWC.

The selectors should drop the 2 starting 10 idea, put Smith at 15, and put BB back to 15 and RM to 10 around the 50 minute mark.

You can't beat a mistake free experienced rugby player in knockout matches, and that has been proven multiple times.

However, maybe they want to try out Reece and Bridge.

I really REALLY think the selectors are missing a beat by not putting Ennor on the bench ahead of Jordie Barrett.

The two tens concept is good. Gives ability to make a play off a play. Does this mean that Bender is unable to play in his best place? Yes.
However Bender at 14 should also be better than any of the other options and currently he is struggling.
Franks has been a waste of space for ages and Moody has caught his bug.
The forwards simply have to front up and that starts with numbers 1 and 3.

@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #2:

Oh goody, Jordie's back

Does that have the implied level of sarcasm I hope it does?