All Blacks v France Test 3
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@pakman said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Thought the debutantes, Goodhue and Frizzell, were alright without setting the world on fire.
Like you, I thought they did OK. They were probably keeping to the game-plan and trying hard not to do anything stupid and/or let the team down.
They didn't look out of place and no major cock-ups. You can't ask much more than that and Hansen and co. will have had a good look at them in the AB environment.
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@pakman said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
So it could well end up a shoot out between ALB and JG for 13, and I concur that the new man hasn't done enough (yet?).
One of the great mysteries is why ALB hasn't kicked-on from 2016. Thought he was outstanding in that season for a rookie.
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
One of the great mysteries is why ALB hasn't kicked-on from 2016. Thought he was outstanding in that season for a rookie.
And yet Hansen has said more than once that ALB has never had a bad game for the ABs.
SBW, Crotty and ALB are the top 3 midfielders in the eyes of the AB coaches. The latter two can play both positions which is gold in a RWC squad. Laumape is really only a 2nd 5, and that puts him most at risk. Only 4 midfielders were taken in 2015 so I would expect the same number for 2019.
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@bovidae problem with both SBW (32) & Crotty (29) is they both spend alot of time injured recently, so will need to be managed if we want them firing and on the park come RWC, as we know, if fit, they will play 12/13.
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If that is a concern I can see the ABs taking an extra midfielder at the expense of an outside back. In 2015 they selected 4 of each, but given DMac has been used on the wing, as well as fullback, and JB should have more experience to cover 12/13 there will be more versatility in the backs.
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@bovidae Assuming it's going to 31 man squads for RWC2019, I can't see them carrying five midfielders.
They'll already need to shed two players from the 33 man squad they're using this year - plus almost certainly add a third hooker to what they used in June. So, one less loose forward, one less midfielder and they've still got to find somewhere else to prune - possibly in the outside backs.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@bovidae Assuming it's going to 31 man squads for RWC2019, I can't see them carrying five midfielders.
They'll already need to shed two players from the 33 man squad they're using this year - plus almost certainly add a third hooker to what they used in June. So, one less loose forward, one less midfielder and they've still got to find somewhere else to prune - possibly in the outside backs.
Heaps of room. Cut Naholo and NMS from the outsides. Cut A Savea from the loosies. Turn Goodhue in to a competent winger. Then you can fit both sicknotes in the midfield. Because if you are taking both, you are going to need a heap of cover.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@bovidae Assuming it's going to 31 man squads for RWC2019, I can't see them carrying five midfielders.
They'll already need to shed two players from the 33 man squad they're using this year - plus almost certainly add a third hooker to what they used in June. So, one less loose forward, one less midfielder and they've still got to find somewhere else to prune - possibly in the outside backs.
Heaps of room. Cut Naholo and NMS from the outsides. Cut A Savea from the loosies. Turn Goodhue in to a competent winger. Then you can fit both sicknotes in the midfield. Because if you are taking both, you are going to need a heap of cover.
If only Maori Jesus wasn't off overseas, imagine having three sick note midfielders.
Sounds like you're suggesting we turn Goodhue into a Russian Kahui.
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@mariner4life They've got to cut several loosies from our June squad if they're going to fit in all the Fern favourites.
One (my one) just to get the numbers down to 31.
Another to fit in Kieran Read.
Another to fit in Matt Todd.
Another to fit in Akira Ioane.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@mariner4life They've got to cut several loosies from our June squad if they're going to fit in all the Fern favourites.
One (my one) just to get the numbers down to 31.
Another to fit in Kieran Read.
Another to fit in Matt Todd.
Another to fit in Akira Ioane.
yea, piss easy. All of Squire, Frizzle Fry, and New Suitcase can all fuck off. Oh, and that other shithouse lightweight from the Hurricanes too.
There is heaps of room in this squad!
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@nepia said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Sounds like you're suggesting we turn Goodhue into a Russian Kahui
yea pretty much. Unless a 14 actually turns up in the next 12 months, there is a gaping hole there. It seems like we are locked in to B Smith until late October 2019, so we just need a dude who can cover.
Goodhue looks alright, and apparently is going to be in the ABs for the next 20 years, so seems like as good a fit as any to be the 2nd or 3rd choice 13, and the 2nd choice 14
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@nepia said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Sounds like you're suggesting we turn Goodhue into a Russian Kahui
yea pretty much. Unless a 14 actually turns up in the next 12 months, there is a gaping hole there. It seems like we are locked in to B Smith until late October 2019, so we just need a dude who can cover.
Goodhue looks alright, and apparently is going to be in the ABs for the next 20 years, so seems like as good a fit as any to be the 2nd or 3rd choice 13, and the 2nd choice 14
If all we're caring about is 2019 are our right wing options that bad? They're ageing but any of NMS and I Dagg might rediscover their form (and stay fit) by the RWC next year.
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@mariner4life you hush your mouth bout Nehe!! š but I suspect Daggs from is going the way of his hairline... receding!!
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So Ben Smith and Naholo are now past it? Haha yep just like Mccaw was past it every year for about 10 years.
Im not concerned anout our back 3 depth in the slightest.6, 8 and 2 are the areas of concern for me.
Who is going to be 6?
Will Read come back and perform at his best? And Is Whitelock really up to being back up ?
Will Coles come back and perform at his best? Is Harris really good enough to be 3rd choice or 2nd if Coles doesn't get back? -
@pukunui Naholo is now older than Joe Rok, Savea, Howlett et al when thier careers went to decline....
I think BFA still has alot to offer, lost half a yard but still pretty slippery.
One risk we run (again) I guess is protecting some of our older players to time thier run right to peak next year.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Naholo is now older than Joe Rok, Savea, Howlett et al when thier careers went to decline
And those 3 were genuinely great wingers before they declined, while Naholo...
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@mariner4life Well, if Hansen had to pick his 31 man squad tomorrow and everyone was fit, I reckon he'd pick something pretty close to:
Moody, Hames, Franks, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi
Coles, Taylor, Coltman
Retallick, Whitelock, Barrett
Read, Cane, Squire, Whitelock, Todd, FifitaSmith, Perenara, TTT
Barrett, McKenzie, Mo'unga
SBW, Crotty, ALB, Laumape
Smith, Barrett, Ioane, NaholoThird hooker could be any one of Coltman, Harris or Aumua - or even someone like Funnell. None of them seem like great options at present.
Hansen could easily choose Ardie over Todd - or even Fifita
Goodhue might push his way into the midfield, but right now I think he's number 5. -
@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@bovidae Assuming it's going to 31 man squads for RWC2019, I can't see them carrying five midfielders.
In 2015 they took halfbacks (x3), 1st 5s (x3), midfielders (x5) and outside backs (x4).
Halfbacks - Smith, TJP, TTT
1st 5s - BB, DMac, Mo'unga
Midfield - SBW, Crotty, ALB, Laumape, Goodhue
Outside backs - BFA, Ioane, JB + one winger (Naholo/NMS/whoever).With JB as the fourth outside back you've also got additional midfield cover for the inevitable injuries to Crotty or SBW. BB and DMac can play fullback, BFA can move to the wing, as can DMac or ALB/Goodhue.
