AB Positions up for grabs

[Stargazer]

@cgrant Okay, you've got a point. He's 29.

[Marty]

@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:

So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad

Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves

Has Crockett confirmed he's prepared to come out of international retirement?

[Chris B.]

@marty No - and to be honest if they have Moody and Perry fit and firing then I'm not sure they'd send the SOS. Arguably, they'd just pick five props with Ofa covering both sides.

[Bovidae]

I'm sure I am not the only one who sees Perry and ABs in the same sentence and still thinks WTF?

The French will be a good test in the scrums with the right ref in charge.

[nzzp]

@bovidae said in AB Positions up for grabs:

The French will be a good test in the scrums with the right ref in charge.

Who are the refs?

OK, i googled,

Eden Park: Luke Pearce (England)
Westpac: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Dunedin: John Lacey (Ireland)

World Rugby Passport - Officiating

New Zealand
v
France
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
9 Jun 2018

Referee
Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant 1
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant 2
John Lacey (Ireland)
TMO
George Ayoub (Australia

New Zealand
v
France
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
16 Jun 2018

Referee
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant 1
John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant 2
Luke Pearce (England)
TMO
George Ayoub (Australia

ew Zealand
v
France
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand
23 Jun 2018

Referee
John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant 1
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant 2
Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO
George Ayoub (Australia)

[Chris B.]

@bovidae said in AB Positions up for grabs:

I'm sure I am not the only one who sees Perry and ABs in the same sentence and still thinks WTF?

Even though he's a Mako boy, I'm stunned!

[Rapido]

Being worried about the French scrum might actually be a cliche that hold some truth this time around.

[Machpants]

Yay we've got Angus for my trip to the cake tin and welly pubs with mates, happy with that.

[Crucial]

Let's hope the TMO isn't required too much

[Machpants]

LOL He's OK now, it's only taken dozens of matches to get him to average

[Crucial]

@machpants said in AB Positions up for grabs:

LOL He's OK now, it's only taken dozens of matches to get him to average

You reckon? Can't teach an old dog new tricks and Ayoub never learnt a feel for the game when he was a ref. Was moved to the admin dept then handed a lifeline with the advent of TMOs. Surely he can't stuff things up too much when he has time and replays? Oh yes he can!

[cgrant]

While the AB selectors are sweating about finding a good LH substitute for Moody, the left wing is the richest spot in NZ. The best IMO is Rieko Ioane but there is also Juilan Savea, Ben Lam, Solomon Alaimalo plus the likes of George Bridge and Tevita Li who are playing very good rugby this season though I doubt the latter to be called into the AB squad one day. Naholo has already played test rugby on the left wing too. And then there is Mataele who is equally at home on both wings and will be eligible this year. Melani Nanai is another one who can play left wing too.

[Bones]

@cgrant and Crotty of course.

[gt12]

@bones

You mean Ngatai?

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Or Thompson?

[gt12]

@stargazer

I'm not available.

Ah, that one.

[MN5]

Let's not rule out 2011 WC winner Richard Kahui plus Hosea Gear and maybe Zac Guildford if he stays off the piss.

[Bones]

@stargazer said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@gt12 Or Thompson?

I thought we'd decided Rob Thomas is better?

[Stargazer]

So the hand injury that kept Aumua out of the Hurricanes game v the Chiefs required surgery. I wonder for how long he'll be out for?

[KiwiMurph]

From All Blacks Twitter:

NEWS: Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has been invited to attend the All Blacks ‘Foundation Day’ in Wellington today. North-Island based All Blacks from the Chiefs, Blues & Hurricanes are in for the day, which is aimed at laying the foundation for the All Blacks season.