AB squad for the Rugby Championship
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
To me, Mo'unga at 10, Crotty at 12 and Goodhue at 13 looks pretty settled, albeit in a different jersey.
I'd be happy with that, but I don't like Crotty's chances of making it through any campaign unscathed. That guy must have suffered more injuries than bloody Evel Knievel.
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@junior Crotty has played 15 of 19 SR games this season and a decent amount of minutes. He doesn't have a concussion this time, either. He'll be fine.
I'm not talking about Super Rugby - I'm talking about test match rugby for the All Blacks. When was the last test he played with SBW / Laumape / ALB? How many times has he played with these 3 in a black jersey?
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@rotated said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Machpants said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@rotated said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
now the lack of a midfield after four years... that is a different story.
They've had a midfield, it's just always broken.....
A fetish for SBW/Crotty is not an excuse for not building a stable combo around those fit, international quality players who have been there for the past few years.
And you have to wonder if, at some point, the likes of ALB get pissed-off and head over to Europe.for the big bucks.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
To me, Mo'unga at 10, Crotty at 12 and Goodhue at 13 looks pretty settled, albeit in a different jersey.
I'd be happy with that, but I don't like Crotty's chances of making it through any campaign unscathed. That guy must have suffered more injuries than bloody Evel Knievel.
Still think that midfield is a bit lightweight and / or lacking elusiveness / agility in the 12 jersey (something TWM have shown a preference for over the past few years and either of which will be needed to deal with the rush defence).
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@reprobate said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Chris-B said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Billy-Tell In the props I think it will be Moli vs Perry and Ta'avao vs Laulala. Tim Perry has played one game and five minutes of another this year, so loosehead is Moli's to lose.
Basically Angus vs Nepo and I think Angus' mobility will win it for him.
I heard Sumo on the radio saying the selections are indicative that the ABs are hellbent on playing the game at pace, which rings true.
I wouldn't write Josh Ioane out of the equation yet. If they are planning on playing Richie and Beauden together in the big games then that's lots of workload and even more risk of a first five injury. If Beauden is slated to play fullback I'd take Ioane and probably leave Jordie at home.
has josh played much fullback? i like him, he has the skills, but jeez, not much experience - a big part of the 2 playmakers experiment on the weekend (which hasn't got much discussion on here) was us defending with 2 fullbacks - and they were more often than not barrett and mounga... and that's with ben smiith on a wing.
i reckon if we get an injury to barrett or mounga we'd be straight back to smith at fullback and the old gameplan. mckenzie could slot in, but it would be too big a risk with ioane.Yeah - I don't think Ioane would play fullback - if one of Beaudy or Richie got injured it would be straight back to Ben Smith at fullback.
But if both of them are playing in four big games - and one of them in each of the "minnow" games - that's a lot of games to get through without an injury - and you might need to carry one of them for several games.
I reckon having a third first five adds more value than another outside back - especially if Beauden is going to play fullback.
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@Chris-B said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@reprobate said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Chris-B said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Billy-Tell In the props I think it will be Moli vs Perry and Ta'avao vs Laulala. Tim Perry has played one game and five minutes of another this year, so loosehead is Moli's to lose.
Basically Angus vs Nepo and I think Angus' mobility will win it for him.
I heard Sumo on the radio saying the selections are indicative that the ABs are hellbent on playing the game at pace, which rings true.
I wouldn't write Josh Ioane out of the equation yet. If they are planning on playing Richie and Beauden together in the big games then that's lots of workload and even more risk of a first five injury. If Beauden is slated to play fullback I'd take Ioane and probably leave Jordie at home.
has josh played much fullback? i like him, he has the skills, but jeez, not much experience - a big part of the 2 playmakers experiment on the weekend (which hasn't got much discussion on here) was us defending with 2 fullbacks - and they were more often than not barrett and mounga... and that's with ben smiith on a wing.
i reckon if we get an injury to barrett or mounga we'd be straight back to smith at fullback and the old gameplan. mckenzie could slot in, but it would be too big a risk with ioane.Yeah - I don't think Ioane would play fullback - if one of Beaudy or Richie got injured it would be straight back to Ben Smith at fullback.
But if both of them are playing in four big games - and one of them in each of the "minnow" games - that's a lot of games to get through without an injury - and you might need to carry one of them for several games.
I reckon having a third first five adds more value than another outside back - especially if Beauden is going to play fullback.
yeah, decent points - although our only outside back who has really performed so far is beauden... if it were now i'd kinda feel like they both need to play against the minnows too, just to bed the system in - but we'll see how that looks post-bledisloe i guess.
in general i do think the 'too many games in a row' thing is a bit overstated. in super rugby it wouldn't be unusual to play 6 or so in a row, and sure in the WC they're tough games at the pointy end - but that applies to the opposition players too, and we typically have more depth than most. -
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Three Wise Men (now an ironic title)
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@junior said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@junior Crotty has played 15 of 19 SR games this season and a decent amount of minutes. He doesn't have a concussion this time, either. He'll be fine.
I'm not talking about Super Rugby - I'm talking about test match rugby for the All Blacks. When was the last test he played with SBW / Laumape / ALB? How many times has he played with these 3 in a black jersey?
How many times has he played 2-3 tests in a row?
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Fuck Luatua would be pretty handy right now
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@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@mofitzy_ Who says Todd won't start in pool games (if Ardie is starting at 8 ) and Read gets a rest?
He almost certainly will. You could easily play Jacobson or Papalii at 7 in the tier 2 pool games though.
But why, when Todd is a better player and has proven himself over a number of years. You can start Todd against Tier 1 or 2 nation, without any issue. The other two whilst talented simply aren’t ready.
Because the others can play multiple positions whilst also being the 3rd option at 7 in the squad.
But with versatility available elsewhere in the squad, Cane at 6, Ardie at 8, makes sense to take the next best player.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel @junior Why don't you do your own research and let us know the results? These attempts at self-perpetuating your own tired tropes are getting pretty stale.
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@Canerbry said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Rancid-Schnitzel @junior Why don't you do your own research and let us know the results? These attempts at self-perpetuating your own tired tropes are getting pretty stale.
I know the results. I'm asking Stargazer because he clearly needs to come to terms with the cold hard facts of Crotty's lack of reliability to stay fit and uninjured enough to play regular test match footy. His injury record in Super Rugby is largely irrelevant to this issue (unless, like presently, its impacting his ability to play test match footy).
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@Canerbry said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:
@Rancid-Schnitzel @junior Why don't you do your own research and let us know the results? These attempts at self-perpetuating your own tired tropes are getting pretty stale.
You're seriously not going to take offence at that are you? C'mon man. Even the most cycloptic fan has to acknowledge that the guy is made of glass. It's not a "tired trope" it's an unfortunate fact. Wish it wasn't but it is.
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My thoughts FWIW. Probably no great insight in line with the Fern's ethos..
Happy with the tight five - SB's return is good news and think we're pretty OK at 1-3. Seems a good blend of experience, scrummaging skills and mobility. (Caveat: I know SFA about front rows)
7's look good - happy to have any of them start. 6 is a worry but like Jacobson's attitude and want to see him get game time. Fifita is a huge talent but can he come right? Concerned about Read's form and hope he's pacing himself.
9's - Aaron Smith is getting back to form and TJP offers a different game. Hard to choose but that's no bad thing.
!st 5. Ritchie needs game time.
12/13. A couple of games away from RWC2019 and TWM are banking on SBW & Crotty being (a) fit and (b) being able to last 40 minutes. No other settled combinations in sight. It's a WTF for me.
11/14/15 - Reiko & BFA looked a bit rusty but should be knocked out. BB went bloody well at 15. Be good to see Bridge & Reece given game time.
Jordie Barrett can have another shocker as against the Argies can he?
Remember the Cantablacks?