TRC squad

Billy Tell

Midfield remains a bit of a mess. Crotty & Moala maybe. I'd like to think that ALB has caught the selectors attention.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="599744" data-time="1469335617">
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Midfield remains a bit of a mess. Crotty & Moala maybe. I'd like to think that ALB has caught the selectors attention.
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How did Sonny play in the QF?

canefan

And in other news Steve Hansen is about to extend his NZRFU deal apparently

pukunui

Lowe was good last night. Still not convinced he is anything more than a decent super rugby player. His big boot is probably the only stand out for me. But with Dagg back in the mix that is less valueable. For me all of Naholo, Moala, Savea, NMS and B Smith are ahead of him in the pecking order. He obviously jumps up the list because NMS is injured and may pass Savea if his form drops further. However if i don't see him climbing high enough in that list to make the TRC squad and because they will want to work with Savea to bring him back to form and Moala would be next in line to come in as wing/midfield cover. By the time the eoyt rolls around Lowes window may have passed because NMS will probably be back and guys like Dmac might be in to get a shot and someone like R Ioane might have played his way in.

Crash

Damn, forgot we'll have the Ioanes back!
Interesting additions to the mix.
 
Don't think anyone in the Crusaders covered themselves in glory yesterday.You wouldn't have known some those players featured in the WC win. Contrast that to ALB who is looking a likely prospect with each game, and will be even better with exciting additions of the Ioanes.
Thought Crotty was ok, but didn't impose himself on the opposition. AB midfield still a work in progress. SBW may very well be back in the fold, but what about the future - shouldn;t we be developing some of these guys now? How long will SBW stick around?

reprobate

can't see fatialofa getting near it, and i hope they drop romano. bird is much improved but... the top 3 locks are obvious, and i would select luatua or dixon over any of the 4th best lock options. they're better lineout forwards, and just generally more outstanding footy players.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="599817" data-time="1469348850">
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Damn, forgot we'll have the Ioanes back!
Interesting additions to the mix.
 
Don't think anyone in the Crusaders covered themselves in glory yesterday.You wouldn't have known some those players featured in the WC win. Contrast that to ALB who is looking a likely prospect with each game, and will be even better with exciting additions of the Ioanes.
Thought Crotty was ok, but didn't impose himself on the opposition. AB midfield still a work in progress. SBW may very well be back in the fold, but what about the future - shouldn;t we be developing some of these guys now? How long will SBW stick around? 
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hes around through to next RWC isnt he?

pakman

Sticking to the TRC, the above team is obviously the basis, adjusted for CN's non-availability:
Hookers: Coles, Harris, Taylor
Props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faimuina, Ofa
Locks: Retallick, Whitelock, Pat T, Romano 
Loose forwards: Kaino, Cane, Read, A Savea, Luatua, Dixon (Squire unlucky)
 
Scrumhalves: A. Smith, Perenara, TKB
Flyhalves: Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga 
Centre: Crotty, Fekitoa, Moala, Tamanivalu
Outside backs: Dagg, Naholo, F. Savea, B. Smith
 
Injury clouds over Coles and Moody. Elliot probably next cab for Shag's bunch, although Ash Dixon has been excellent. Next LH hard to pick. If it were me I'd grab Hames, who has been excellent and on occasions destructive since he's been starting. Ofa can't scrum, but not sure we have anyone else who can play both sides. Romano fairly unexciting -- Bird has been great last few weeks -- but is a known factor at TH lock. I agree Luatua has played his way in. But Dixon is more in the Read/Luatua mould than a Kaino, so back up for the latter would more naturally be Squire.
SBW will be in. Sure Savea will get another chance, so only real question is which of the above four midfielders miss out. For me the easy answer is Tamanivalu. Moala is 12/13 and cover for wing. Crotty is the thinker, but at international level is more a 13 than 12. Fekitoa looks stressed out, but could do with an extended run at 13 outside a big 12.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="599832" data-time="1469350784">
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I agree Luatua has played his way in. 
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On the other hand, I'd be surprised if he has. Hansen and Co. made their loose forward choices for the Welsh tests. Dixon and Squire got only very abbreviated chances and didn't do badly. I doubt the selectors' thinking is going to be overturned by three matches - regardless of how outstanding. I think Hansen is a very consistent selector - once you're picked you get plenty of chances - once you're dropped you stay gone for a while.
 
I think Steve might have blotted his copybook by turning up out of shape, and now will have to bide his time to get an opportunity.

antipodean

I don't see a downside to Luatua's form. He's clearly fit and has a big work rate with huge impact. Little by little he looks like Auckland have developed a replacement for Kaino.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="599850" data-time="1469356595">I don't see a downside to Luatua's form. He's clearly fit and has a big work rate with huge impact. Little by little he looks like Auckland have developed a replacement for Kaino.</blockquote>
 
I like what Luatua has done this season, however it seems he is looking on the outside in rather than being "in the tent". 
I'm sure he's still in the mix so to speak and the door hasn't completely shut, but there must be something other than form, because he's been pretty damn good for 2/3rds of the season.

Siam

Playing in finals rugby will help edge it for Squire and Dixon over Luatua 
 
AB Selectors love seeing players under huge pressure
 
Fekitoa, don't give away any more of your AB freebies....

leytonandamanda

What's the news on moody? Not played last few games. Will he be fit for rugby championship? If not then Kane hames should be in,made a big difference to Chiefs scrum 
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Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="599660" data-time="1469322600">
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Can I just explore this line of argument? It seems this is said about a lot of players. Fatialofa, Scott Barrett, James Lowe, McKenzie, Ioane x2 etc. How many normally go on the EOYT? Maybe one or two extra. NMS may well be back for the EOYT. NMS, Naholo, Savea, Ben Smith, Dagg and plus maybe Moala and Barrett. That is more than enough cover for the outside backs. If Lowe wants to make the team he has to be better than Naholo or Savea, IMO. If he isn't better now then Savea and Naholo could have great Rugby Championships and then there is no way you could justify picking Lowe.
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Lowe is on form currently better than Savea (who sat on the bench while Woodward tore it up) and I'm no huge fan of Naholo. His error rate is higher than Lowe's (which is the stick often used to beat Lowe with) and I've never personally felt his attack balances that out. So, there you have it, he should be in the TRC. ;)

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="599898" data-time="1469397928">Lowe is on form currently better than Savea (who sat on the bench while Woodward tore it up) and I'm no huge fan of Naholo. His error rate is higher than Lowe's (which is the stick often used to beat Lowe with) and I've never personally felt his attack balances that out. So, there you have it, he should be in the TRC. ;)</blockquote>
I disagree! Both got big error rates but naholo has more X factor in attack but I do like lowes aswell. Should be in the squad,I actually like him more at full back than wing but with so many good full backs he got more chance on the wing 
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DMX

I'm beating the drums for Lowe, I think him as a member of back three severely limits the options for teams who want to beat ABs in a kicking game, the option taking of B Smith, Lowe and Barret when he drops back will be devastating. Dagg had a good series against Wales but I thought his option taking was poor last weekend, I hope he does not regress.

Billy Tell

Piutau would walk straight into the 11 jersey at the moment.
 
I think Lowe deserves a shot, with a short trial. 1 or 2 games and he fails to turn up: au revoir.
 
Savea is signed on until 2019 from memory - we risk little by not selecting him, whereas the likes of Lowe might go overseas (and play for the Celtic nations in 3 years as someone pointed out).
 
We have to get the midfield sorted relatively quickly - I suppose SBW coming back sorts out the 12 shirt - but the Lions is not that far away anymore.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="600198" data-time="1469468296">
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Piutau would walk straight into the 11 jersey at the moment.
 
I think Lowe deserves a shot, with a short trial. 1 or 2 games and he fails to turn up: au revoir.
 
Savea is signed on until 2019 from memory - we risk little by not selecting him, whereas the likes of Lowe might go overseas (and play for the Celtic nations in 3 years as someone pointed out).
 
We have to get the midfield sorted relatively quickly - I suppose SBW coming back sorts out the 12 shirt - but the Lions is not that far away anymore.
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Funny I am not that concerned about midfield, I know Fekitoa and Tamanivalu may seem a million miles from Smith but I reckon they are both as good or better than any of the 13s other test nations have to offer. as you said SBW still to return, as well as Ngatai and Crotty still in the mix.

rotated

Given that our midfield issues are structural I find it dubious that SBW is going to solve things. He may surprise but I haven't seen anything from him that shows he will be able to organise our midfield for 80 minutes.
 
I don't think things get solved until Ngatai is fit or they relent and shove Ben Smith at 13 because there is no other way.

Bovidae

SBW will straighten the attack and provide a few more worries for the opposition than the midfielders who played against Wales. As always, the key for the midfield will be the combination so they complement eachother.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad