AB RWC Squad
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I think 6 props is certain and I don’t see terribly many squad positions still up for grabs unless there are injuries.
Props: De Groot, Lomax, Laulala, Tu’ungafasi. 2 of Williams, Newell and Moody, probably the first two.
Hookers: Taylor, Taukei’hao, Coles
Locks: S. Barrett, B.Retallick, S. Whitelock, T. Vaa’i
Back row: S. Frizell, S. Cane, D. Papali’i, A.Savea, L. Jacobson. Either E. Blackadder or S. Finau, most likely E. Blackadder.
Half Back: A. Smith, F. Christie, C. Roigard
First Five: R. Mo’unga, D. McKenzie
Midfield: J.Barrett, R.Ioane, ALB, D.Havili
Back Three: W. Jordan, M. Telea, B. Barrett, C.Clarke, L. Fainga’anuku or Narawa.
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Think most of the squad picks itself at this point, is just that extra prop, loosie, half and an outside back up for grabs.
For me, at 9 I'd take Smith, Roigard and Webber, but know Christie isnthier preferred.
Blackadder, Havili, Ennor and Fainganuku all go to the wire, reckon Frizell finding form might make them more comfortable not taking the injury prone Blackadder, the other 3, who knows...
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It’s going to be a strong squad and mostly picks itself.
Josh Lord will be incredibly unlucky if he misses out.
Is it worth taking Moody for experience even though he hasn’t played much during the last two seasons? No my mind no as we have lots of experience elsewhere in the squad.
When will Ethan Blackadder be fit to play? Finau is certain to be given a chance to impress in Dunedin.
I’d prefer Weber or Fakatava to Christie, but I think the selectors will go with Christie.
I’d take Stevenson as the last back three player to give more Full Back cover but I think Fainganuku will go if he has a decent game in Dunedin.
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@sparky said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Is it worth taking Moody for experience even though he hasn’t played much during the last two seasons? No my mind no as we have lots of experience elsewhere in the squad.
I think so. For me, he is the backup loosehead and would make an excellent addition off the bench. He is an integral part of maul defense, one of the better scrummagers, and was getting back to some good form.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
@sparky said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Is it worth taking Moody for experience even though he hasn’t played much during the last two seasons? No my mind no as we have lots of experience elsewhere in the squad.
I think so. For me, he is the backup loosehead and would make an excellent addition off the bench. He is an integral part of maul defense, one of the better scrummagers, and was getting back to some good form.
Plus, we know he's good at coming in to a RWC at the last minute and performing.
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@frugby said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
The WC squad is really taking shape. I think you can lock in the following:
Props: Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala
Hookers: Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock
Loose Forwards: Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
First Fives: Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown
Outside Backs: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Mark Telea
That is 26 players...
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I think they'll only take five props, with Williams battling Moody for that spot, because they won't want a specialist tighthead in Newell.
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Due to BBBR and Whitelock's age and Scooter's importance, I think five locks go to the WC so that they can play a midweek game without starting any of the big guns. Vaa'i and Lord both to go, as Paddy has hardly played. Finau might even get a run at lock off the bench.
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Other loose forward is interesting. I personally think they have left the spot for Blackadder, as Finau has not had a look yet. Could come down to the former's fitness
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Midfield spot between Havili and Ennor. Hard to know, I think McLeod is very much an injury placeholder... they might even take both the former.
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Outsides, I think Clarke was sharp off the bench last night, and has his nose in front. They won't take him and Fainga'anuku... I suspect as long as he is fit, Narawa is highly likely as he covers the right wing + fullback.
Likely Others: Tamaiti Williams, Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord Ethan Blackadder, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa
Don't disagree with the above but they might consider playing Shannon at lock against the minnows.
I hope Narawa is picked, he's very skillful.
And Stevenson, but sadly I don't think that is likely now. -
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@ARHS said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Narawa has a superior all-round skillset, but Faingaánuku is more explosive. If Caleb Clarke is in, then I see little point in having Faingaánuku in. I feel it should be CC or LF.
I think CC boosted his chances with his cameo last night
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@ARHS said in AB RWC Squad predictions:
Narawa has a superior all-round skillset, but Faingaánuku is more explosive. If Caleb Clarke is in, then I see little point in having Faingaánuku in. I feel it should be CC or LF.
I wonder whether Havili is the dark horse here. Rione covers LW so they may want Havili and Ennor to have more midfield (I wouldn't pick this btw).
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Speaking of midfielders...
Lengthy rehab finally over for All Blacks midfielder
Chiefs rugby player Quinn Tupaea is back playing with Waikato after a 10 month rehabilatation.
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A lot obviously depends on who gets a chance this weekend. You'd have to say that Narawa, Fainga'anuku, Finau, McLeod, Newell, Lord/Vaa'i are all out of the equation if they don't get significant minutes in Dunedin.
I think Jacobson needs a big game (as a starter) to get his foot on the plane to France. Finlay Christie is probably in a similar boat, with Weber nipping at his heels.
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Jacobson has only played 20 minutes of Test rugby since the beginning of 2022.
He's fifth in the pecking order at best (behind Cane, Savea, Frizell, Papali'i), with Barrett also an option at No 6. I think there are major upsides to taking him to France but if, for example, Finau gets a start against Australia and delivers a massive performance then where does that leave Jacobson?
I think the other five guys are all safe whatever happens in Dunedin, but I don't think Jacobson is in that camp just yet.
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