TRC squad

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600347" data-time="1469503635">
Yeah - but, if Owen Franks falls over in the shower tomorrow and breaks his arm - who are you going to replace him with?
</blockquote>
 
I don't know anything about Franks' shower habits, but players are generally more likely to get injured while playing.
The AB squad will probably include 5 props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faumuina, and Tu'ungafasi are all out of the competition, so they have time to recover and rest up before Bledisloe.
 
Hames, Uhila, D Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck and Atu Moli (to throw a few more unlikely names in the mix) run a far higher risk to get injured. And Goodes if he has recovered from his concussion (from Crusaders game).

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="600357" data-time="1469505084">
<div>
 
I don't know anything about Franks' shower habits, but players are generally more likely to get injured while playing.
The AB squad will probably include 5 props: Crockett, Moody, Franks, Faumuina, and Tu'ungafasi are all out of the competition, so they have time to recover and rest up before Bledisloe.
 
Hames, Uhila, D Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck and Atu Moli (to throw a few more unlikely names in the mix) run a far higher risk to get injured. And Goodes if he has recovered from his concussion (from Crusaders game).
</div>
</blockquote>
 
You haven't answered the question. :)

Dice

Loni Uhila has already turned down the All Blacks.
 
See 1:27 mark on this video.
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href=''></a>
 
He could change his mind, but he seemed pretty serious there.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="600365" data-time="1469506792">
<div>
Loni Uhila has already turned down the All Blacks.
 
See 1:27 mark on this video.
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href=''></a>
 
He could change his mind, but he seemed pretty serious there.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Actually, when I looked at his profile I wondered whether he might declare for Tonga.
 
Being an AB would open a lot of doors, though - including the bank manager's.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="600352" data-time="1469504249">
<div>
I was surprised Hames isn't that big compared to the other Chiefs props. Obviously his forte is scrummaging as he hasn't offered too much around the field as a ball-carrier.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
He really hasn't done much with the ball in hand (4 carries and 3 metres according to NZ herald stats) but I'd still bring him in - he's not as good as Moody, but he's strong enough at set piece to deserve a chance, and pretty good around the field on defense (50 tackles in 328 minutes at 89%).

taniwharugby

good on him...I wonder if Tamanivalu should have held out too as there is a chance he might not get another shot and is no longer eligible for Fiji.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="600369" data-time="1469507236">
<div>
good on him...I wonder if Tamanivalu should have held out too as there is a chance he might not get another shot and is no longer eligible for Fiji.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I'm not sure that video is completely convincing evidence.
 
He's talking on a plastic telephone to James McOnie! :)

taniwharugby

I couldn't watch the video, so my evidence was Dice's post!
 
Stand by my point on Seta though and Mr T if he commits to Tonga.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="600372" data-time="1469508622">
<div>
I couldn't watch the video, so my evidence was Dice's post!
 
Stand by my point on Seta though and Mr T if he commits to Tonga.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yep - I'm very happy if these guys declare for their country of origin. But, that adds Uhila to the worryingly long list of ineligible tightheads playing in NZ.
 
To answer my own question - at present Hansen could go knocking at the door of Josh Hohneck, but he's signed for Gloucester and is England qualified through his mother, so I'm doubtful if he'd take up a one-off. After that, you're down to the likes of Chris Eves and Siale Tokolahi.
 
Hence my interest in Uhila.

KiwiMurph

Atu Moli looks a very promising tighthead. You would think he would be in the mix sooner rather than later.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600373" data-time="1469509542">
<div>
Yep - I'm very happy if these guys declare for their country of origin. But, that adds Uhila to the worryingly long list of ineligible tightheads playing in NZ.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Loni is a LH.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="600375" data-time="1469509974">
<div>
Loni is a LH.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Christ - I think he is too. I thought he replaced Eves on the tighthead.
 
Well, we're completely fucked then and will have to call up Ben May! :)

Nairobi

how come no one's talking about Reggio Goodes. 
I really need to unlock the secret to the hurricanes scrum performance.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="600378" data-time="1469511954">
<div>
how come no one's talking about Reggio Goodes. 
I really need to unlock the secret to the hurricanes scrum performance.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Scroll back and read one of my previous posts ...

pakman

Well Chiefs Canes ought to see quite a few of these roughies in opposition, so may answer a few queries.

cgrant

The Chiefs scrum has improved one week or two before the inclusion of Hames. Graham and Yamashita suddenly fared far better. Was it because Nathan Harris was introduced at hooker ? Or the backrows pushing harder instead of just putting down an arm on the side of the scrum ?
However, Hames did very well against the strongest South African THP (Koch) and this is a very positive sign.
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
Atu Moli is one to watch for the future. He is still very young but his improvement since the Mitre 10 Cup where he was demolished in the scrums has been immense.
JTA also improved his scrummaging this year. Unfortunately for him and the Canes, his injury came at the worst moment.

cgrant

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="600422" data-time="1469520125">
<div>
The Chiefs scrum has improved one week or two before the inclusion of Hames. Graham and Yamashita suddenly fared far better. Was it because Nathan Harris was introduced at hooker ? Or the backrows pushing harder instead of just putting down an arm on the side of the scrum ?
However, Hames did very well against the strongest South African THP (Koch) and this is a very positive sign.
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
Atu Moli is one to watch for the future. He is still very young but his improvement since the Mitre 10 Cup where he was demolished in the scrums has been immense.
JTA also improved his scrummaging this year. Unfortunately for him and the Canes, his injury came at the worst moment.
</div>
</blockquote>
JTA has also improved his scrummaging this year.

ploughboy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="600422" data-time="1469520125">
<div>
The Chiefs scrum has improved one week or two before the inclusion of Hames. Graham and Yamashita suddenly fared far better. Was it because Nathan Harris was introduced at hooker ? Or the backrows pushing harder instead of just putting down an arm on the side of the scrum ?
However, Hames did very well against the strongest South African THP (Koch) and this is a very positive sign.
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
Atu Moli is one to watch for the future. He is still very young but his improvement since the Mitre 10 Cup where he was demolished in the scrums has been immense.
JTA also improved his scrummaging this year. Unfortunately for him and the Canes, his injury came at the worst moment.
</div>
</blockquote>
 i think the scrum improved when bird returned from injury and partnered lurch

sparky

Anyone know when Nehe Milner-skudder is likely to be fit enough to play again?

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="600422" data-time="1469520125">
<div>
 
To answer to Chris B., if Franks broke his arm, the obvious replacement would be Charlie Faumuina with Ofa T on the bench.
 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
That's not really the question, though. There needs to be a third player in the squad who can play tighthead. At the moment I can only see a handful of guys who struggle at Super level.
 
I hope someone's making sure that Owen's not carelessly leaving the soap lying on the shower floor! :)

The Silver Fern

TRC squad