Are there any All Blacks wildcards left ?
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@canerbry said in Are there any All Blacks wildcards left ?:
Not worth making such a big a fuss about really.
Unlike George Bridge.
Bridge is all class I think,very under rated player,reminds me of Ben smith in the way he goes about the game.
I also rate tevita li on this season’s form,been outplaying Naholo in my opinion -
Unlikely. But young guys who could debut. IF there are injuries in their positions AND they themselves carve up. Guys with potential to own a position for a few years post 2019.
Quentin Strange
Dalton Papalii(Assuming Akira Ioane and Aumua aren't bolsters as they have played non-capped games on tour, been in squads etc)
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Whetu Douglas is a reasonable wildcard call.
Bridge isn't a bad call given that Ben Smith and Naholo didn't have the greatest of times on the wing during the French series and NMS hasn't really looked the same player he was in 2015. Different player to Ben Lam - more wing-fullback.
Hard to know quite who Hansen would choose as his second choice loosehead if everyone is fit - so few of them have been when the ABs have been selected in the past eight months. Tu'ikaunafe managed to bang a very solid stake into the ground, so he's doubtless leapt up the pecking order - possibly to the top (behind Moody). Edit: and I'm forgetting about Hames who is probably still no. 2.
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Looking forward to next years world cup, something that is going to be key is versatility. With the squad sizes limited to 31, and the inability to bring in someone from outside the squad without sending someone home, having a player who can competently cover several positions to allow someone to rehab from a minor injury may be key.
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@stockcar86 said in Are there any All Blacks wildcards left ?:
Looking forward to next years world cup, something that is going to be key is versatility. With the squad sizes limited to 31, and the inability to bring in someone from outside the squad without sending someone home, having a player who can competently cover several positions to allow someone to rehab from a minor injury may be key.
Good point! I am not a fan of just having 31 players,I really wish it was changed to 34.
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Bridge took a little while to find his feet at Super level, and first impressions do tend to last unfortunately. He has been very classy this year, if he continues to improve he could make a strong push next year. If I was him I'd be demanding the number 14 jumper for the Saders.
Aumua is an interesting one. Picked for the EOYT from the ITM Cup based on raw talent, but has been injured most of this year. I see @Chris-B had Coltman going ahead of him next year, but as the coaches don't tend to drop players based on injury I still see him as our third hooker.
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@allblacksfan72 said in Are there any All Blacks wildcards left ?:
@stockcar86 said in Are there any All Blacks wildcards left ?:
Looking forward to next years world cup, something that is going to be key is versatility. With the squad sizes limited to 31, and the inability to bring in someone from outside the squad without sending someone home, having a player who can competently cover several positions to allow someone to rehab from a minor injury may be key.
Good point! I am not a fan of just having 31 players,I really wish it was changed to 34.
On the other hand, I really like it. Creates a bit of intrigue in the selections - rather than being able to pick people to cover every contingency.
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@no-quarter My team was if Hansen was picking tomorrow.
Coltman - based on Harris having a Grade A shocker in his limited time in the second test and Aumua being a rookie Project.
