All Blacks World Cup bolters
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
@Winger said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
@Crucial said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
@antipodean said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
If we're honest with ourselves there's only two standouts so far; Roigard and Stevenson. Others are playing well, but not at a level that screams "pick me for the All Blacks".
Lester F needs to back up that last game and he may be given another go. A player that can play midfield and wing is valuable in a RWC squad especially for minnow games.
He was so disappointing though in the AB's. Maybe SR is his level
Actually, he had a really strong debut against Ireland. I recall that I'd warned y'all that he wasn't test ready and I got a couple of little claps back on that.
Second test he was poor, got a yellow card, subbed - and never seen again.
22 years old and thrown in as a starter against our main rival at the moment, I didn’t have high expectations but thought he did pretty well.
Been quite a few young players that have had less than memorable tests for the ABs when starting out - some have been persisted with and remained in the squad and others have been replaced to find themselves back in the ABs a year or two later (and thereafter remain)
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@ACT-Crusader lima Sopoaga debut against the Bok in South Africa....talk about baptism of fire
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Unless there's injuries, I don't see any bolters in the loosies - they'll take 5 or maybe 6 loosies with, I think, a plan that Scott Barrett will play 6 if the other locks stay fit.
Then Ardie, Sam Cane, PapaliĂ, Blackadder, Frizell, Sotutu, Akira all competing for spots, Luke Jacobsen, Grace and PGS behind them with test experience, but I don't see any making it unless there's injuries.
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@Chris-B and of those latter 3, I think Jacobsen is the only one that would be a real chance. And whilst he has AB experience to me he still fits the bolter tag because it would be a big surprise if he did make the RWC squad.
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I wondered if they might pick an enlarged squad for the mid-year tests. i.e. the project RWC 33 plus up to 10 'first reserves'. So, they would be testing players for last spots, and ability to step up for an injured player. I would hope 4 halfbacks, and 4 hookers are brought in. Would want 4 for each prop spot, and 3 covering all other positions. I would expect Roigard to be in the 4 halfbacks.
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@ARHS said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
I wondered if they might pick an enlarged squad for the mid-year tests. i.e. the project RWC 33 plus up to 10 'first reserves'. So, they would be testing players for last spots, and ability to step up for an injured player. I would hope 4 halfbacks, and 4 hookers are brought in. Would want 4 for each prop spot, and 3 covering all other positions. I would expect Roigard to be in the 4 halfbacks.
Wasn’t that what the AB XV was for last year?
As has been the case in previous RWC years, they’ll pick their core group of 26-27 that are RWC definites (barring injury) then fill the rest with current squadies and maybe 1 or 2 that they want to have a further look at.
Then the RWC squad will be a smaller version of that. Who they have on standby is largely driven by injury/fitness concerns at the time of naming.
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@Nevorian said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
Can Roigaard could be the back up halfback we are searching for.
His play so far this season is miles ahead of the other options.
Gilbert and Proctor both looked good as well. Albeit one has to take into account the opposition in those performances.
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I'm going to throw Billy Proctor into the mixer, he has been rock solid for the Canes to kick-off 2023, continuing his form from the NPC. With plenty of uncertainty around our midfield for the World-Cup, Proctor wouldn't be a bad option with the way he's playing.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
@sparky said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
Owen Franks still knows how to push.
Does he know how to do anything else though?
Win World Cups. He's won two of them which is two more than anyone in the Ireland Squad.
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@Stargazer very very unlikely after last season on and off field was given great chance and basically blew it
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@george33 said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
@Stargazer very very unlikely after last season on and off field was given great chance and basically blew it
I think the term used was 'a torrid time' in camp.
Anyone know what happened? Not after salacious gossip just trying to understand the talk.
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@george33 said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:
@Stargazer very very unlikely after last season on and off field was given great chance and basically blew it
Maybe,But a good chance for 2024 if he keeps up his form through next season.
Different coaching,different eyes for selections.
