AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?

[sparky]

@Bones I like MMT, but I'd still pick Sotutu, Akira and Ardie at 8 ahead of him.

[Tim]

@sparky Think you need to lose one back. McKenzie, Bridge, and Reece all good candidates for that.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Ardie

And for a moment I thought you were serious...

Sotutu is there as an 8 and only an 8 - if he's not available they'll replace like-for-like.

[Tim]

@Bones With Sowakula?

[Bones]

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones With Sowakula?

[sparky]

@Tim Bridge and Reece are fine. DMac might easily miss out to a 3rd First Five: either Otere Black or Josh Ioane.

[KiwiMurph]

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

[Tim]

@sparky Apologies Sparky! I saw three names at 10, without seeing that two were Beauden and Barrett.

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

Definitely provides a point of difference - almost a hybrid of Barrett and Mo'unga. Can cover fullback at a big push too, but don't think that would be required.

[sparky]

@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Josh Ioane definitely ahead of Otere.

Agree.

[ACT Crusader]

@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

J Barrett has improved massively on last year, and absolutely should be in the frame. Does he have the wheels to play wing?

Clark and 2 Barrets back 3
Reiko at centre, with laumape
Mounga at 10

Rock star backline.

I would like those rockstar back 3 players to actually receive the ball. Ain’t happening with that midfield.... 😀

[sparky]

Angus Ta'avao might well be one of the selected propa but he didn't look too flash in his first game back at the weekend.

[sparky]

Lots of depth in most positions and so much exciting young talent. Good players missing out even on a 35 man squad after lots of injuries.

Only Lock, Half Back and 12 where talent looks thinner.

[sparky]

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@sparky Apologies Sparky! I saw three names at 10, without seeing that two were Beauden and Barrett.

No worries. Think they'll pick DMac or Joah Ioane but not both.

Peter Umaga-Jensen might get the nod. But personally I thibk another year of Mitre 10 and Super Rugby will boast his development.

[Bones]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

Only Lock, Half Back and 12 where talent looks thinner.

Crusaders failing us yet again. At least the blues are providing options now...

[antipodean]

@sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

As the days tick down to Ian Foster's first All Blacks squad naming on August 30 there is no shortage of selection debates. The loose forwards, where Lachlan Boshier and Dalton Papalii continue to shine, and outside backs, with rookie Blues wing Caleb Clarke leading the charge, will be hotly contested among the 35 man squad.

Props: Moody, Tu'inukuafe, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Lomax, Hodgman
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Locks: S Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Parkinson, Cowley-Tuioti
Back Row: Cane (c), Savea, Frizell, Grace, A Ioane, Papali'i, Sotutu (Bolshier if Grace, Papali'i or Sotutu still injured).
Half Backs: A Smith, Perenera, Drummond Hall
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Mo'unga
Midfield: ALB, Goodhue, only injuries should see them in, R Ioane, Ennor, PUJ, TJF
Back Three: C Clarke, Reece, Jordan, J Barrett, Bridge, McKenzie let's be serious

[Bones]

@antipodean yuuuuuck

[antipodean]

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@antipodean yuuuuuck

You DMac fanbois...

[sparky]

@Bones Will Tucker may eventually be an All Black but needs more gametime at Mitre 10 and Super level.

[Bones]

@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

@antipodean yuuuuuck

You DMac fanbois...

You could be onto something - if there's going to be a "bolter" I reckon it'll be Faiane (in the backs). Proper 2nd/5, accurate on defence, likes to put his outsides away, deft boot and his style looks like it'd suit test rugby.

Edit: Ennor can try again next year though.