World Cup Squad Positions
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I think they will take 5 props so add Laulalu
Drop Ennor or Havalli as they won’t take that many outside backs
Add Pat T instead of Jacobsen (too soon for him)as they will use Barrett as 6 cover especially in the lesser pool games
SBW will be picked one of those MF will drop out
Otherwise Dowds team is close
That’s who I think the selectors will pick not who I would -
@Machpants said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Craig Dowd, for an ex forward, loves his backs!
Craig Dowd's New Zealand World Cup squad:
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks;
Hookers: Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles;
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Back-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, David Havili, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
As you say at least one too many backs and one too few props.
Add Nepo Laulala and drop David Havili.
Then check your balance as to whether you need a 4th lock (Pat T) or a lock/6 (Fifita). And whether Jacobson and/or Ennor miss out.
At least.
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@booboo said in World Cup Squad Positions:
Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
It is a fecking awful squad 16 forwards & 15 backs
I'd add Gus Ta'avo from Chiefs as 5th prop can cover both sides like Ola T and is playing light out
Liam Coltman for Harris at Hooker
Replace Jacobsen with Hemepo
Drop Havilli from the sqaud
I'd add Angus Ta'avao from Chiefs as 5th prop can cover both sides like Ola T and is playing light out
Drop Ennor replace them with Tim Perry who'll be 3rd choice LH prop
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@Jaguares4real
Here's my 31 man Kiwi RWC squad with 18 forwards and 13 backs
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Angus Ta'avao, Tim Perry;
Hookers: Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles;
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Back-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Jackson Hemepo, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, George Bridge, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
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@MN5 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Bones said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I reckon Laumape could cover wing at a pinch too.
That's a fucken big pinch Bonesy
Because?
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@Jaguares4real said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Jaguares4real
Here's my 31 man Kiwi RWC squad with 18 forwards and 13 backs
Props: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Angus Ta'avao, Tim Perry;
Hookers:
Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles; Nathan HarrisLocks: Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock,
Jackson HemepoPat TBack-rowers: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, , Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Kieran Read
Half-backs: Brad Weber, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara
Fly-halves: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue,
Ngani LaumapeSBWOutside backs: Rieko Ioane, George Bridge, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett.
I understand that is what you would select but this is the more likely position..
Harris may not be popular with many but he has brownie points with the selecters and a proven record of being a strong scrummager especially in combination with Karl T and Angus T.
If they are going to take four locks they will opt for Pat T and have S Barrett as a potential lock/6
Someone in that midfield selection has to make way for SBW. I would ditch Crotty but I suspect he will stay due to experience and Ngani will be unlucky. -
@Crucial said in World Cup Squad Positions:
idfield s
You're right in that it's the 31 I'd would take to Japan
But the 3 amendments you've made are likely to take place
Hansen is a pick and stick kind of coach
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@Jaguares4real said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@Crucial said in World Cup Squad Positions:
idfield s
You're right in that it's the 31 I'd would take to Japan
But the 3 amendments you've made are likely to take place
Hansen is a pick and stick kind of coach
Hansen and Co WILL make hard decisions if they feel they are necessary, but they also trust their ability to stick with proven selections and make them work in order to keep the bonus of experience.
RWCs have really borne out the edict that experience counts a lot to get through the knockout stages. -
pretty decent article.. squad seems about right
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@WillieTheWaiter yes, for the contentious decisions the arguments are pretty sound.
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I think there are one too many fullbacks and one two few 10s, which Jordie is not. I think they need three, as if Barrett is injured early but could be ready later in the tournament, you want two 10s there for the games until that time. I imagine that Josh Ioane will get his chance in the 4N. I'm also less than convinced that they will finally pick Akira Ioane.
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@WillieTheWaiter said in World Cup Squad Positions:
pretty decent article.. squad seems about right
Related but unrelated question ... is Cully the best rugby writer in NZ at the moment? Certainly is for me. Not bad for an Irish fella living in Dunedin who writes for the Sydney Morning Herald!
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@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I think there are one too many fullbacks and one two few 10s, which Jordie is not. I think they need three, as if Barrett is injured early but could be ready later in the tournament, you want two 10s there for the games until that time. I imagine that Josh Ioane will get his chance in the 4N. I'm also less than convinced that they will finally pick Akira Ioane.
There's certainly less noise this year.
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@antipodean said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I think there are one too many fullbacks and one two few 10s, which Jordie is not. I think they need three, as if Barrett is injured early but could be ready later in the tournament, you want two 10s there for the games until that time. I imagine that Josh Ioane will get his chance in the 4N. I'm also less than convinced that they will finally pick Akira Ioane.
There's certainly less noise this year.
I'm a fan of Akira, but his form hasn't been great through the back end of the season. If they pick him, it's because they'll back themselves to get the best out of him. His upside is just massive -- if he can get the discipline and work ethic to go with it he'd be a world beater
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@nzzp said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@antipodean said in World Cup Squad Positions:
@gt12 said in World Cup Squad Positions:
I think there are one too many fullbacks and one two few 10s, which Jordie is not. I think they need three, as if Barrett is injured early but could be ready later in the tournament, you want two 10s there for the games until that time. I imagine that Josh Ioane will get his chance in the 4N. I'm also less than convinced that they will finally pick Akira Ioane.
There's certainly less noise this year.
I'm a fan of Akira, but his form hasn't been great through the back end of the season. If they pick him, it's because they'll back themselves to get the best out of him. His upside is just massive -- if he can get the discipline and work ethic to go with it he'd be a world beater
Perhaps a rest is what he needs, but the change in his game presumably to suit what the ABs wanted to see more of or having Coventry at the Blues has shortened the highlight reel somewhat.
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For those that can’t access the article, below is Cully’s squad.
Possible 31-man All Blacks squad for the Rugby World Cup:
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Nathan Harris
Props: Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett
Loose forwards: Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Vaea Fifita, Akira Ioane
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber
No 10s/15: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett
Midfielders: Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue
Outside backs: David Havili, Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane, George Bridge -
@ACT-Crusader said in World Cup Squad Positions:
For those that can’t access the article, below is Cully’s squad.
Possible 31-man All Blacks squad for the Rugby World Cup:
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Nathan Harris
Props: Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett
Loose forwards: Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Vaea Fifita, Akira Ioane
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber
No 10s/15: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett
Midfielders: Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue
Outside backs: David Havili, Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane, George BridgeI've seen nothing to suggest that Akira Ioane will make the squad (Based on his play now and when he was previously unselected)
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From Cully’s squad the only questions I have are:
Harris vs Coltman
Patty T vs Fifita vs Hemopo
Weber vs TTT
Inclusion of Ioane
Bridge vs Naholo
