TRC squad

pakman

Anyone know when NMS due back?
 
Also saw squad size of 32 referred to. In which case 3 hookers and half backs. Assuming 3 first fives and 18/14 back split, then things nicely set up for 4 midfielders -- SBW/RC/MF/CN -- 4 back three -- WN/JS/BS/ID -- and 1 'utility', which has Moala's name written all over it!
 
Barring an absolute stand out in end of Super finales, injuries will be the major influence sad to say.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="592611" data-time="1467098156">
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Anyone know when NMS due back?
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Originally Sept was mentioned. That is midway through the RC but you would think NMS would need a few games for the Poo before he played for the ABs.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="592070" data-time="1466943984">
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the only real intrigue is whether Ngatai can do enough in finals football to unseat GOTJ, who seems to have played his way in (but will be on sidelines throughout).
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I'm pretty doubtful that Moala has played his way in. Yes, he made some good line breaks - but none of them were directly converted because of a poor pass to Read and going himself with men unmarked. So I'd say a little bit of a mixed bag.
 
For me, Ngatai has been the outstanding midfielder of Super rugby to date this year, Crotty played well to very well in all three Wales tests, Fekitoa started the year ranked ahead of everyone except SBW, and Hansen has already said SBW is a lock. In my mind, what Moala probably did was jump ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
I think if Moala makes it he makes it at the expense of McKenzie or, just maybe, Savea as predominantly a wing option.
 
Hansen already said we would need three halfbacks for TRC and I'm equally sure we'll need three hookers, so my guess is a squad of 32 and Perenara comes in for McKenzie and SBW comes in for Tamanivalu. Can't see a squad of 31 for TRC given they had 32 for Wales (and the rule change regarding bench props). If anything I'd think they might be allowed an extra player or two.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="592710" data-time="1467152854">
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I'm pretty doubtful that Moala has played his way in. Yes, he made some good line breaks - but none of them were directly converted because of a poor pass to Read and going himself with men unmarked. So I'd say a little bit of a mixed bag.
 
For me, Ngatai has been the outstanding midfielder of Super rugby to date this year, Crotty played well to very well in all three Wales tests, Fekitoa started the year ranked ahead of everyone except SBW, and Hansen has already said SBW is a lock. In my mind, what Moala probably did was jump ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
I think if Moala makes it he makes it at the expense of McKenzie or, just maybe, Savea as predominantly a wing option.
 
Hansen already said we would need three halfbacks for TRC and I'm equally sure we'll need three hookers, so my guess is a squad of 32 and Perenara comes in for McKenzie and SBW comes in for Tamanivalu. Can't see a squad of 31 for TRC given they had 32 for Wales (and the rule change regarding bench props). If anything I'd think they might be allowed an extra player or two.
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But Fekitoa and Taminuvula didn't even do that much. Surely Moala did more than enough, those are kinks that can be ironed out.

No Quarter

I wonder what the coaches are thinking re: Fekitoa. How long do they give him to improve his game? He has the raw ingredients so they usually back themselves to fine tune players like that, but he hasn't made a lot of progress. I'm inclined to think Moala is a better long term option at this stage.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="592710" data-time="1467152854">
<div>
I'm pretty doubtful that Moala has played his way in. Yes, he made some good line breaks - but none of them were directly converted because of a poor pass to Read and going himself with men unmarked. So I'd say a little bit of a mixed bag.
 
For me, Ngatai has been the outstanding midfielder of Super rugby to date this year, Crotty played well to very well in all three Wales tests, Fekitoa started the year ranked ahead of everyone except SBW, and Hansen has already said SBW is a lock. In my mind, what Moala probably did was jump ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
I think if Moala makes it he makes it at the expense of McKenzie or, just maybe, Savea as predominantly a wing option.
 
Hansen already said we would need three halfbacks for TRC and I'm equally sure we'll need three hookers, so my guess is a squad of 32 and Perenara comes in for McKenzie and SBW comes in for Tamanivalu. Can't see a squad of 31 for TRC given they had 32 for Wales (and the rule change regarding bench props). If anything I'd think they might be allowed an extra player or two.
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Given the recent history of AB selections, i think you are right. Fekitoa will be retained because he had first crack, has been in the team for a couple of years, and missed the last one through injury. Crotty showed enough to suggest he should be in the mix (he's a good foil for the other players), and SBW is a walk up inclusion. 
 
However, i think you are underplaying Moala's impact in the first half (maybe because he is from Auckland you biased prick? :whistle: ). He showed me more than i have seen from Fekitoa, power and incision through the middle; and pace to get on the outside as well. While it's easy to say his breaks didn't result in tries, the still put us in good positions (okay, halftime for one of them), and i saw what he was trying to do with two of them, it just probably wasn't the right call. That shit can be ironed out.
 
So, I guess i am saying, ultimately i think he'll miss the squad, but personally i think that would be a mistake.

WillieTheWaiter

don't expect to see Ngatai there.. he's fcuked.
 
only thing he's been able to do in the last 5 weeks is calf raises without bringing on headaches so he's got a long road back...
 
hopefully not the next Ben Afaeki.. but considering it came from an 'innocous knock' you've got to have some serious concerns for him..

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WillieTheWaiter" data-cid="592740" data-time="1467158480">don't expect to see Ngatai there.. he's fcuked. 
only thing he's been able to do in the last 5 weeks is calf raises without bringing on headaches so he's got a long road back... 
hopefully not the next Ben Afaeki.. but considering it came from an 'innocous knock' you've got to have some serious concerns for him..</blockquote>
 
Yeah I thought if he doesn't travel to Suva this weekend then his shot at making the RC squad is all but lost given he hasn't played for what 6-7 weeks and he mustn't have done any significant training.

Hooroo

Also, Cruden is relegated to the bench by the superior Donald who is looking at making the TRC squad

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="592771" data-time="1467166452">
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Also, Cruden is relegated to the bench by the superior Donald who is looking at making the TRC squad
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Good. We will need a back up for Dagg who is timing his run nicely to take the 10 jersey.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WillieTheWaiter" data-cid="592740" data-time="1467158480">
<div>
don't expect to see Ngatai there.. he's fcuked.
 
only thing he's been able to do in the last 5 weeks is calf raises without bringing on headaches so he's got a long road back...
 
hopefully not the next Ben Afaeki.. but considering it came from an 'innocous knock' you've got to have some serious concerns for him..
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Not good news - except for George...who I think would then slide into the squad ahead of Tamanivalu.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="592772" data-time="1467166566">
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Good. We will need a back up for Dagg who is timing his run nicely to take the 10 jersey.
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I can't wait to see it. When is the team named?

pakman

Hope Charlie Ngatai isn't a casualty -- really stood out in Super Rugby!
 
But if fit, Chris B is agreeing with what i put later in thread -- TJP/SBW in, ST DMcK out.
 
Which means Moala is cover for 11-14 (in fact I don't know if he play both sides).

MN5

I'm an unabashed fan of Moala but don't want Ngatai to turn into another James Broadhurst.

KiwiMurph

Good news on Moala - looks like he may yet turn out for the Blues again this season. 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
Injured All Black George Moala is full of confidence, so it's no wonder he wants to get back into action for the Blues.
The 25-year-old scored his first All Blacks try in the 46-6 drubbing of Wales in Dunedin before succumbing to an elbow injury that forced him from the field.
Moala was initially ruled out for four weeks with the ligaments injury, but he's already returned to Blues training as the All Blacks settle back into Super Rugby.
Blues coach Tana Umaga said that Moala could return earlier than first predicted, with the midfielder keen to get back on the field.
"You don't know, it's his elbow and he's adamant he's alright, he can run no worries," Umaga said.
"He just wants to help the boys as best they can, so we'll just keep looking at that and see what the medical staff say."
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/video-blues-waiting-to-unleash-injured-george-moala-2016063014#axzz4D25NPGC0'>http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/video-blues-waiting-to-unleash-injured-george-moala-2016063014#axzz4D25NPGC0</a>
</blockquote>

Crash

I/m liking Moala's attitude

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="593026" data-time="1467263241">
Good news on Moala - looks like he may yet turn out for the Blues again this season. 
Good news on Moala - looks like he may yet turn out for the Blues again this season. <blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"> [font='Helvetica Neue']Injured All Black George Moala is full of confidence, so it's no wonder he wants to get back into action for the Blues.[/font][font='Helvetica Neue'] 
The 25-year-old scored his first All Blacks try in the 46-6 drubbing of Wales in Dunedin before succumbing to an elbow injury that forced him from the field.[/font][font='Helvetica Neue'] 
Moala was initially ruled out for four weeks with the ligaments injury, but he's already returned to Blues training as the All Blacks settle back into Super Rugby.[/font][font='Helvetica Neue'] 
Blues coach Tana Umaga said that Moala could return earlier than first predicted, with the midfielder keen to get back on the field.[/font][font='Helvetica Neue'] 
"You don't know, it's his elbow and he's adamant he's alright, he can run no worries," Umaga said.[/font][font='Helvetica Neue'] 
"He just wants to help the boys as best they can, so we'll just keep looking at that and see what the medical staff say."[/font] [font='Helvetica Neue'] <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/video-blues-waiting-to-unleash-injured-george-moala-2016063014#axzz4D25NPGC0">http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/video-blues-waiting-to-unleash-injured-george-moala-2016063014#axzz4D25NPGC0</a>[/font]</blockquote>
 </blockquote>
 
Short memories at newshub?

taniwharugby

no internet to do research?

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="593073" data-time="1467274740">
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Short memories at newshub?
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Fuck that's amateurishly poor.......
 
Two tries in two matches and he's still far from a shoe in. Not sure what to make of that.

bobily

According to Grant Fox on The Breakdown, they are picking 32 players for the RC

The Silver Fern

TRC squad