2019 Rugby World Cup

Yeah The Boys

So... the Rugby World Cup is this year... I reckon that the eight teams to make the playoffs will be:
Ireland and Scotland (Pool A)
New Zealand and South Africa (Pool
England and Argentina (Pool C)
Wales and Fiji (Pool D)

Derm McCrum

@Yeah-The-Boys

And?

Yeah The Boys

I think that the final will be between us (New Zealand) and Ireland too. These will probably be the players in each team's match-day 23 permitting fitness.

All Blacks:

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Codie Taylor
Owen Franks
Brodie Retallick
Sam Whitelock
Vaea Fifita
Ardie Savea
Kieran Read - Captain
TJ Perenara
Beauden Barrett
Rieko Ioane
Ma'a Nonu
Jack Goodhue
Ben Smith
Damian McKenzie
Reserves:
Dane Coles
Joe Moody
Nepo Laulala
Scott Barrett
Jackson Hemopo
Aaron Smith
Richie Mo'unga
Anton "give me a start" Lienert-Brown

Ireland:

Cian Healy
Rory Best - Captain
Tadgh Furlong
Devin Toner
James Ryan
Peter O'Mahony
Sean O'Brien
CJ Stander
Conor Murray
Johnny Sexton
Jacob Stockdale
Bundee Aki
Robbie Henshaw
Jordan Larmour
Rob Kearney
Reserves:
Niall Scannell
Jack McGrath
Andrew Porter
Iain Henderson
Dan Leavy
Kieran Marmion
Joey Carbery
Will Addison

Yeah The Boys

@Derm-McCrum oops... forgot to ask if anyone else had different predictions...

Hooroo

@Yeah-The-Boys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

I think that the final will be between us (New Zealand) and Ireland too. These will probably be the players in each team's match-day 23 permitting fitness.

All Blacks:

Karl Tu'inukuafe

Codie Taylor

Owen Franks

Brodie Retallick

Sam Whitelock

Vaea Fifita

Ardie Savea

Kieran Read - Captain

TJ Perenara

Beauden Barrett

Rieko Ioane

Ma'a Nonu

Jack Goodhue

Ben Smith

Damian McKenzie
Reserves:

Dane Coles

Joe Moody

Nepo Laulala

Scott Barrett

Jackson Hemopo

Aaron Smith

Richie Mo'unga

Anton "give me a start" Lienert-Brown

Ireland:

Cian Healy

Rory Best - Captain

Tadgh Furlong

Devin Toner

James Ryan

Peter O'Mahony

Sean O'Brien

CJ Stander

Conor Murray

Johnny Sexton

Jacob Stockdale

Bundee Aki

Robbie Henshaw

Jordan Larmour

Rob Kearney
Reserves:

Niall Scannell

Jack McGrath

Andrew Porter

Iain Henderson

Dan Leavy

Kieran Marmion

Joey Carbery

Will Addison

I no longer think DMac will be fullback.

From his brief time back, Dane Coles starts, easily. Ma'a doesn't make the squad.

A Smith ahead of TJP. Cane at 6

MN5

@Yeah-The-Boys in four posts on here so far you've mentioned Vaea Fifita very positively in at least half of them and no mention of Akira Ioane whatsoever.

Some ferners are gonna absolutely lose their shit when they see that.

kiwiinmelb

@Hooroo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@Yeah-The-Boys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

I think that the final will be between us (New Zealand) and Ireland too. These will probably be the players in each team's match-day 23 permitting fitness.

All Blacks:

Karl Tu'inukuafe

Codie Taylor

Owen Franks

Brodie Retallick

Sam Whitelock

Vaea Fifita

Ardie Savea

Kieran Read - Captain

TJ Perenara

Beauden Barrett

Rieko Ioane

Ma'a Nonu

Jack Goodhue

Ben Smith

Damian McKenzie
Reserves:

Dane Coles

Joe Moody

Nepo Laulala

Scott Barrett

Jackson Hemopo

Aaron Smith

Richie Mo'unga

Anton "give me a start" Lienert-Brown

Ireland:

Cian Healy

Rory Best - Captain

Tadgh Furlong

Devin Toner

James Ryan

Peter O'Mahony

Sean O'Brien

CJ Stander

Conor Murray

Johnny Sexton

Jacob Stockdale

Bundee Aki

Robbie Henshaw

Jordan Larmour

Rob Kearney
Reserves:

Niall Scannell

Jack McGrath

Andrew Porter

Iain Henderson

Dan Leavy

Kieran Marmion

Joey Carbery

Will Addison

I no longer think DMac will be fullback.

From his brief time back, Dane Coles starts, easily. Ma'a doesn't make the squad.

A Smith ahead of TJP. Cane at 6

it will be interesting to see where they go with 10 , 15 and the bench , I tend to think Dmac offers more from the bench ,

But Moungas form deserves a spot in the 23 too , and I think george Bridge could throw an extra spanner in the works this year with his form demanding a spot on the right wing ,

And i think that is their dilemma , trying to fit them all in , someone good enough may miss out

dogmeat

@kiwiinmelb I was talking to an AB selector before Xmas /bignote. I keep meaning to find the time to write up what I can repeat, but he had some very interesting things to say about 10 and the back three.

Lets just say - you're pretty much spot on

nzzp

@Yeah-The-Boys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

I think that the final will be between us (New Zealand) and Ireland too. These will probably be the players in each team's match-day 23 permitting fitness.

I'm not sure Ireland will make it to the final. They are a quality outfit, but playing 7 games on consecutive weekends feels a tough ask for their style. Not sure why - I just wonder if they have three big games (well, two to get to the final) in consective weekends in them.

For the ABs, I'd say we're 50/50 at best, and with a tough game early against SA, who knows who's going to wind up in the draw. I'd love for a 2007 England knockout run sometime for the ABs - Argentina and Fiji to get to the Final!

kiwiinmelb

@nzzp said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@Yeah-The-Boys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

I think that the final will be between us (New Zealand) and Ireland too. These will probably be the players in each team's match-day 23 permitting fitness.

I'm not sure Ireland will make it to the final. They are a quality outfit, but playing 7 games on consecutive weekends feels a tough ask for their style. Not sure why - I just wonder if they have three big games (well, two to get to the final) in consective weekends in them.

For the ABs, I'd say we're 50/50 at best, and with a tough game early against SA, who knows who's going to wind up in the draw. I'd love for a 2007 England knockout run sometime for the ABs - Argentina and Fiji to get to the Final!

One thing that I haven’t seen discussed much is the humidity of Japan ,

It could be very taxing , will be interesting to see if it has any bearing ,

You would think it would favour the sh sides , but England did win a wc in pretty much Australian summer conditions so maybe not .

kiwiinmelb

@dogmeat my gut feeling is we might see bender shifted back to fullback , I’m tipping bridge to be the bolter and play 14 .

Then it will be between Richie and dmac on the bench .

And it’s not just about who is better , but the dynamic they want most.

dogmeat

@kiwiinmelb from what I heard you can lock Bridge in (9 mths out so....)

rotated

@kiwiinmelb said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@dogmeat my gut feeling is we might see bender shifted back to fullback , I’m tipping bridge to be the bolter and play 14 .

Then it will be between Richie and dmac on the bench .

And it’s not just about who is better , but the dynamic they want most.

There is still another shoe to drop with Jordie Barrett in all this. Clearly a favourite of the selectors and potentially offers positional flexibility and goal kicking. If he can just "get it" at test level D Mac would be long forgotten.

Would be interesting to hear dogmeat's thoughts though!

mariner4life

@rotated it's going to take a fuckload more than an okay game against a deplorable Italian outfit to erase the rest of his shit year.

rotated

@mariner4life said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@rotated it's going to take a fuckload more than an okay game against a deplorable Italian outfit to erase the rest of his shit year.

For sure, again more looking at it from the selectors perspective. They obviously have a soft spot for him and I'm sure if they had their druthers he would meet his potential and be the starting fullback.

I don't put it past him, Toeava was much maligned but after 2-3 piecemeal seasons in black he finally started to put it together IMO and was a really reliable performer in Black from 09-11. Hopefully Jordie is on a similar trajectory.

mariner4life

@rotated said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@mariner4life said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@rotated it's going to take a fuckload more than an okay game against a deplorable Italian outfit to erase the rest of his shit year.

For sure, again more looking at it from the selectors perspective. They obviously have a soft spot for him and I'm sure if they had their druthers he would meet his potential and be the starting fullback.

I don't put it past him, Toeava was much maligned but after 2-3 piecemeal seasons in black he finally started to put it together IMO and was a really reliable performer in Black from 09-11. Hopefully Jordie is on a similar trajectory.

He's young and obviously talented so I am not writing him off. But it would be a huge turnaround by September.

2020? Absolutely

nzzp

@mariner4life remember they aren't afraid to pick bolters. NMS had a great Super season and then RWC in 2015; particularly with a strike wing, form is more improtant than age or experience I think

No Quarter

@mariner4life said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@rotated it's going to take a fuckload more than an okay game against a deplorable Italian outfit to erase the rest of his shit year.

He wasn't nearly as bad as people are making out. He made a few errors in black, most notably the quick lineout throw that Rieko called for and then pussied out of catching. He also did a lot of very good stuff - in that same match he scored an awesome try by running a great angle and taking the ball behind him without losing any pace.

The reaction to that game knocked his confidence, which he finally regathered on the wing against Italy. I'd say he had a very up and down season. DMac finally found a bit of consistency last year for the ABs (though not for the Chiefs) which has put pressure on his spot, but he's still right in the mix for the RWC if he has another strong Super season.

Nepia

@No-Quarter said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

He wasn't nearly as bad as people are making out. He made a few errors in black, most notably the quick lineout throw that Rieko called for and then pussied out of catching.

Are you Barrett fanboys still trying to blame Reiko for JB's decision making and poor execution. Comedy gold.

No Quarter

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@No-Quarter said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

He wasn't nearly as bad as people are making out. He made a few errors in black, most notably the quick lineout throw that Rieko called for and then pussied out of catching.

Are you Barrett fanboys still trying to blame Reiko for JB's decision making and poor execution. Comedy gold.

No, Jordie threw the ball so was held accountable, but Rieko played a role in that as well. Not sure why you'd ignore that.

Just pointing out that the criticism has been over the top. For example, ALB was significantly worse than Jordie in that match - butchering a certain try and then gifting another at a crucial stage of the match. Yet despite that disastrous performance, posters have been calling for him to be in the starting 15 every match.

Derm McCrum

@Yeah-The-Boys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

I think that the final will be between us (New Zealand) and Ireland too. These will probably be the players in each team's match-day 23 permitting fitness.

I don’t.
Ireland RWC 31:

Forwards 17

Cian Healy - Dave Kilcoyne - Finlay Bealham
Rory Best - Sean Cronin - Niall Scannell
Tadgh Furlong - Andrew Porter - (Bealham)
Devin Toner - Iain Henderson
James Ryan - Tadgh Beirne
Peter O'Mahony - (Beirne - vdF)
Josh van der Flier - Dan Leavy - (SOB)
CJ Stander - Sean O’Brien

Backs: 14
9. Conor Murray - Kieran Marmion - John Cooney
10. Johnny Sexton - Joey Carbery (Cooney)
11. Jacob Stockdale - Jordan Larmour
12. Robbie Henshaw - Bundee Aki
13. Garry Ringrose - Will Addison (Henshaw - Aki)
14. Keith Earls - Andrew Conway - (Addison)
15. Rob Kearney - (Larmour - Conway - Addison)

Machpants

So who do you think you'll be playing in the final then?

Yeahtheboys

I think Italy might get fired up and take this World Cup after that defeat to the ABs. Imagine having JORDIE BARRETT score 4 tries against you

Bones

I find it hard to believe Keith Earls is still alive.

MiketheSnow

@Yeah-The-Boys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

So... the Rugby World Cup is this year... I reckon that the eight teams to make the playoffs will be:
Ireland and Scotland (Pool A)
New Zealand and South Africa (Pool
England and Argentina (Pool C)
Wales and Fiji (Pool D)

Fiji?

Are you high?

Daffy Jaffy

Fiji coach John McKee is in Japan this week finalising preparations for their World Cup campaign which now includes a two-match series against the Maori All Blacks in July.

      Fiji will host the Maori All Blacks in Suva on July 11 and after that series will tackle Japan, Canada, Samoa and Tonga in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in August in a bid to be ready for World Cup pool games with Grand Slam champions Wales, Australia, Georgia and Uruguay.

The Maori All Blacks will face Fiji three days after the historic Test in Apia between the All Blacks and Manu Samoa. “This match is guaranteed entertainment for Fiji, come July, and we are delighted to once again host the Maori All Blacks,” said Fiji Rugby’s Chief Executive Radrodro Tabualevu.

Stargazer

Is this the full article?

.

Really odd that the MABs would play Fiji on 11 July 2019, while the Super Rugby Final is on 6 July.

Unfortunately, there's no info about when that All Blacks v Samoa match is going to be played. That one hasn't been officially announced, as far as I know. What has been announced is an All Blacks v Tonga match on 7 September, and a Wallabies v Samoa test on the same day.

Is this info really correct? It's all maybe a bit too similar to 2015?

Wed 8 July 2015: Samoa v All Blacks (Apia)
Sat 11 July 2015: Fiji v Maori All Blacks (Suva)

The All Blacks will play their first Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 20 July 2019.

Machpants

Yeah sounds like a mix up from 2015, ABs not playing in Samoa

Yeahtheboys

So the 41 man squad has been named. How many do we take to japan?

Hooroo

@Yeahtheboys said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

So the 41 man squad has been named. How many do we take to japan?

There is discussion on this in the 2019 Rugby Championship thread

Stargazer

@Yeahtheboys The wider RWC squad hasn'tbeen named yet. The group for the first foundation day has been named. Before the RWC, there's still a (shortened) Rugby Championship to be played, which will probably be used to test some players and see whether they're up to it, or to attempt to bring some players back to match fitness.

Edit: the discussion in the Rugby Championship thread starts about here.

taniwharugby

From Yealden:

Good morning. ABs management have confirmed that Damien McKenzie won't be at the foundation day in Wellington. Still no confirmed results on the MRI scans on DMac's right knee but should get confirmation this morning from either ABs coach Steve Hansen or Chiefs coach Colin Cooper (Hansen speaking at 11am; Cooper just after midday) Also Chiefs prop Atu Moli will be attending the foundation day, meaning eight props have been invited - regards NY

Nogusta

canefan

@Nogusta bugger

Machpants

With DMac playing full back a lot in the NH tests, both Oz and NZ have lost their incumbent fullback for RWC! Tho it's should be Bender, and Foolau is more a wing

sparky

Gutted for DMac. He was playing really well again back at Fullback. I really admire the enthusiasm with which he plays the game.

Ben Smith will now be the ABs first-choice fullback. Jordie Barrett, David Havili and Will Jordan are the cover after that.

3rd Choice First Five is an issue. Stephen Perofeta's likelihood of makinf the RWC just went up significantly.

Stargazer

There's a longer discussion of Dmac's injury in the 2019 Rugby Championship thread.

Higgins

Watched the All Blacks training at Kilbirnie Park a couple of hours back. Took my boots along just in case but quite frankly flatly refuse to play in anything other than Mizuno so when the trainers headed my way got them out of my bag and waved them in their direction only to see them do a quick about turn.

As an aside it was rather hilarious watching the ABs sharing the ingoal area in front of the swimming pool with a guy practicing what looked like some sort of Israel Folau sign language yoga. He paid them no attention whatsoever and defended his space magnificently!

Chris B.

Interesting question as to how the ABs will re-configure their backs selection - given that DMac was going to take the 3rd first five spot, but probably play in the back three.

Assuming 14 backs and a couple of big assumptions....

Smith, Perenara, TTT

BBarrett, Mo'unga

Crotty, SBW, ALB, Goodhue

BSmith, Ioane, Naholo, JBarrett

Do you use the final pick to pick a third first five or another outside back - or maybe even both and prune another midfield back?

sparky

@Chris-B

Smith, Perenara, TTT,

BB, Mo'unga

Crotty, Laumape, ALB, Goodhue, Nonu or SBW (depending on fitness).

R Ioane, Jordan, J Barrett, B Smith.

In group play (Namibia or Canada), Crotty and J Barrett to give some cover at 10. Laumape and ALB to give some cover at Wing.

23 for South Africa and the Knock outs:

Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks
Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick
Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read
Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett
Reiko Ioane, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Will Jordan
Ben Smith

Bench: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Dane Coles, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Akira Ioane, TJP, Richie Mo'unga, ALB