Pick your 41 man squad
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@Tim I think we're fucked if we don't have at least one of Beauden or Mo'unga playing in the knockout games. Sub in Otere Black for Dan Carter in the semi and/or final in 2015 and I reckon we lose both those games. Danny boy snuffed out the Aussie momentum. And the 2015 squad was better than what we will field this time.
I reckon Otere is probably the best of a limited bunch. I don't want an unreliable goal-kicker, because that means more compromise in having to play Jordie at fullback. So someone who can make their exit kicks, shovel the ball onwards and not a turnstile in defence.
To be honest, you've doubtless watched him more and more closely than me - I'm mainly working from a process of elimination and drawing lines through other candidates. Two years ago, I would have picked Marty Banks, but he looks to have lost a yard of pace and was always a bit vulnerable to being pressured.
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@Tim Yeah - I said ages ago that Beauden is locked in as our first choice first five. Hansen has been rewarded by sticking with experience throughout his career (it's how he's got his job), so I can't see him faltering at the last.
I wouldn't be panicking if we had to play Richie though. He's got big balls - I haven't seen him rein himself in much, even in the biggest matches. Always the risk of a "...Spencer.....MORTLOCK..." though!
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@Chris-B said in Pick your 41 man squad:
I don't think they'll try to prepare two first fives in the limited time available. I think if crisis strikes during the RWC they'll break their own rule and pull in someone from overseas. It would be foolish to throw away the cup in an obvious crisis. So fuck everyone who thinks the world must be black and white forever - I'm prepared to briefly let in a little bit of grey in an emergency
Like who? Someone whose best days are behind them and no exposure to the game plan?
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@antipodean If he's recovered from his op. Danny Boy!
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No one has named Robinson though he is the standout 6 of the SR season so far. Too early ? Hansen spoke of a few players outside the initial list but did not name them, in order not to put too much pressure on them. So who are the potential bolters ? Atu Moli at LHP, Robinson at 6, David Havili as an utility back, Bryn Hall, Will Jordan (might be too early for him).
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@cgrant reckon there'd be a high risk of Robinson breaking down by that stage of the season. Firat season in the big leagues and all, throw him into test rugby (and he'd need plenty of game time to get up to speed) and he'll be all done halfway through the cup.
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@Chris-B said in Pick your 41 man squad:
The easy one for me is SBW over Ma'a.
The fact it is so easy speaks to the selectors stubbornness.
Unless SBW comes back and plays good rugby it's very difficult to make an argument for SBW over Nonu.
This would be the end of the line for either, both are experienced, both would be selected as specialist XVs.
Nonu missed one more full season than SBW this cycle, but SBW is injury prone and has a record of brain explosions in important games.
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@Chris-B said in Pick your 41 man squad:
@Tim I think we're fucked if we don't have at least one of Beauden or Mo'unga playing in the knockout games. Sub in Otere Black for Dan Carter in the semi and/or final in 2015 and I reckon we lose both those games. Danny boy snuffed out the Aussie momentum. And the 2015 squad was better than what we will field this time.
The argument against that would be the 2011 semi-final where you or I could have played 10 a knocked over the second best team in the world, such as was the dominance of the pack. That is a tough mentality to bring three weeks running though and could be exposed by better coaching.
I'd like to see how our forward pack is going closer to RWC before I'd take solace in that though. At the moment Read coming into the sheds saying "don't worry boys we've got this" doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence with Cane yet to return, Read a shell of himself and a blackhole at six.
What we can take solace in is that while winning world cups appears pretty difficult a massively flawed team makes the final every year and that could be us. Make the final and who knows.
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@Rocky-Rockbottom said in Pick your 41 man squad:
@sparky said in Pick your 41 man squad:
Reiko Ioane is perhaps one of the few players who is irreplaceable. A world-class finisher and superb all-round wing.
plus he defends like fluffybunnies are talking shit about his brother
Holy fuck this post is great.