NPR

Do you think there might be any surprises?

I've got no idea if there will be any bolters, but given that selection has been our downfall over the past 4 years, and NZR have retained two thirds of the selection team moving into the future, I expect lots of poor selections.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:11 am Do you think there might be any surprises?

I've got no idea if there will be any bolters, but given that selection has been our downfall over the past 4 years, and NZR have retained two thirds of the selection team moving into the future, I expect lots of poor selections.

Third hooker will be interesting, do they go with the young guy and hope they get better, or the older more experienced one who is about as good as he's going to get.

Also locks, what the feck do they do with locks

Monkey Magic wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:39 am

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:11 am Do you think there might be any surprises?

I've got no idea if there will be any bolters, but given that selection has been our downfall over the past 4 years, and NZR have retained two thirds of the selection team moving into the future, I expect lots of poor selections.

Third hooker will be interesting, do they go with the young guy and hope they get better, or the older more experienced one who is about as good as he's going to get.

Also locks, what the feck do they do with locks

Surely Aumua's now ahead of Coltman? And two of our best locks currently have their feet up, so it's a great time to bring in a couple of young'uns like Parkinson (if he's fit) and Vaa'i.

Parkinson has been ruled out of the Mitre 10 Cup so is presumably out of contention. Although with no test matches in sight they may as well name a theoretical “if they were all fit” squad.

Mate is a coach employed by NZR. He’s heard they’re naming 46 and heading to OZ.

Mr Bungle wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:57 am Mate is a coach employed by NZR. He’s heard they’re naming 46 and heading to OZ.

Wonder if there are some other injured guys that will make the trip given how long before it starts

Seems the larger squad is to avoid quarantine requirements.

Mr Bungle wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:57 am Mate is a coach employed by NZR. He’s heard they’re naming 46 and heading to OZ.

Does his name rhyme with Dark Rermody?

46? isn't that the number of players that played today? if anything, one won't get picked and instead sam cane will go, that ONE i s akira ioane .lol

I thought D Mac was good, but so was Jordy and he's a lot bigger!
Clark, Bridge and Jordan took their opportunities, while ALB and Reiko achieved more than the South midfield.
Beaudy, RMo, and Josh all looked sharp, and Smith was light years ahead of the other 9's.
Sotutu, Frizzell and Ardie were all very good, but Sanders had a monster first 40 mins.
Sam and Paddy were very good, Dunshea accurate and Selby-Rickitt looked at home.
All the props were good around the park, but scrums ?????
Aumua, Taylor good on the ball, but all hookers had lineout troubles.
Paul Williams = Really? No try? Really?

The game showed the South doing what Southern men do, while the North forgot that for all the flash, you can't win without competing up front :)

So for the AB's all except Sanders are certain to be read out tomorrow I would say.

Turbster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:58 pm I thought D Mac was good, but so was Jordy and he's a lot bigger!
Clark, Bridge and Jordan took their opportunities, while ALB and Reiko achieved more than the South midfield.
Beaudy, RMo, and Josh all looked sharp, and Smith was light years ahead of the other 9's.
Sotutu, Frizzell and Ardie were all very good, but Sanders had a monster first 40 mins.
Sam and Paddy were very good, Dunshea accurate and Selby-Rickitt looked at home.
All the props were good around the park, but scrums ?????
Aumua, Taylor good on the ball, but all hookers had lineout troubles.
Paul Williams = Really? No try? Really?

The game showed the South doing what Southern men do, while the North forgot that for all the flash, you can't win without competing up front :)

So for the AB's all except Sanders are certain to be read out tomorrow I would say.

Pretty much nailed it. All while driving a tank through the Middle East, no less.

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 1:22 pm

Turbster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:58 pm I thought D Mac was good, but so was Jordy and he's a lot bigger!
Clark, Bridge and Jordan took their opportunities, while ALB and Reiko achieved more than the South midfield.
Beaudy, RMo, and Josh all looked sharp, and Smith was light years ahead of the other 9's.
Sotutu, Frizzell and Ardie were all very good, but Sanders had a monster first 40 mins.
Sam and Paddy were very good, Dunshea accurate and Selby-Rickitt looked at home.
All the props were good around the park, but scrums ?????
Aumua, Taylor good on the ball, but all hookers had lineout troubles.
Paul Williams = Really? No try? Really?

The game showed the South doing what Southern men do, while the North forgot that for all the flash, you can't win without competing up front :)

So for the AB's all except Sanders are certain to be read out tomorrow I would say.

Pretty much nailed it. All while driving a tank through the Middle East, no less.

:) :) :) Actually spent the last week fishing :)

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:57 am

Mr Bungle wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:57 am Mate is a coach employed by NZR. He’s heard they’re naming 46 and heading to OZ.

Does his name rhyme with Dark Rermody?

Not Clarke, no.

will be announced in 10 mins on PRIME, will livestream that..
http://rwc19.rf.gd/

shocked Hodgman made it, he didn't even play

Well, Vaa'i must be the project player. He stayed in the tight and did nothing spectacular last night but season form was good. Well done him - won't get a test but a great place to learn.

Wish we had a hooker who could hit a barn door but there aren't any

I take it B Barrett is primarily being viewed as a first-five from that listing. Has there been any comment or questions on that / dual playmakers?

Enzedder wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:12 pm Well, Vaa'i must be the project player. He stayed in the tight and did nothing spectacular last night but season form was good. Well done him - won't get a test but a great place to learn.

Yep, very happy for him.

did they name hodgman to prevent fiji from getting him?

grant fox just said BB and richie are their main playmakers with Dmac as abckup

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:23 pm did they name hodgman to prevent fiji from getting him?

grant fox just said BB and richie are their main playmakers with Dmac as abckup

I doubt keeping a player from Fiji will have factored into their thinking.

I think it’s stupid to take all those outside backs and only two first fives.

Josh Ioane should be in the set up. Probably at the expense of Caleb Clarke, who doesn’t really need to be there.

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:19 pm I take it B Barrett is primarily being viewed as a first-five from that listing. Has there been any comment or questions on that / dual playmakers?

Grant Fox just pretty much confirmed that McKenzie's seen as the 3rd first-five behind Mo'unga and B Barrett.

Happy for all the new blokes that have made the cut, great gift for all their Dads on Father’s Day. Congrats boys.

Feel sorry for Laumape . Presume injury kept him out.

When the scalpel doesn't work it's handy to have a hammer. It feels like every time he played for NZ he scored.

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:28 pm Feel sorry for Laumape . Presume injury kept him out.

When the scalpel doesn't work it's handy to have a hammer. It feels like every time he played for NZ he scored.

pretty sure if laumape was a available, ennor would not have been picked.

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:31 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:28 pm Feel sorry for Laumape . Presume injury kept him out.

When the scalpel doesn't work it's handy to have a hammer. It feels like every time he played for NZ he scored.

pretty sure if laumape was a available, ennor would not have been picked.

I like Ennor too. I see a 70 cap allblack in him. Hes got injured at inopportune times himself.

I’ve never heard of Hodgman.

Jacobsen injured?

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:32 pm

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:31 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:28 pm Feel sorry for Laumape . Presume injury kept him out.

When the scalpel doesn't work it's handy to have a hammer. It feels like every time he played for NZ he scored.

pretty sure if laumape was a available, ennor would not have been picked.

I like Ennor too. I see a 70 cap allblack in him. Hes got injured at inopportune times himself.

yeah but they only pick 3 midfielders and in form Rieko has been the best with Goodhue so ennor might have been cut.. though if i was coach i would have cut either bridge or clarke for laumpae and retain ennor as he can cover wing too..Bridge is a 'lucky' player so is jordan (right place right time kind of players), they aren't completely good players, not sure if WJ is international standard really, i see him as a bit like jack maddocks, great and soup level; shit at international level... but we will see...he might shock us and become a doug howlett type fullback......shame about havili, always there knocking at the AB door, not really opening for him but when he did and he tried to step in, it shut on his feet. :(

Unlucky

Lachlan Boshier: Arguably the form loose forward in Super Rugby Aotearoa, but might be too small/light to play 6 at test level?
Joshua Ioane: I'm much more comfortable when we have three specialist 10's in our squad. We have 1.5 first-fives, and presumably McKenzie is the back-up if Mo'unga or BB get injured. The selection mistakes of the last RWC cycle are being repeated.
Peter Umaga-Jensen: I know it's competitive for midfield/outside back positions but PUJ finished Super Rugby Aotearoa very strong and looks custom built for test match Rugby. The Hurricanes had a very dangerous backline but only two of their backs made the squad. The Chiefs couldn't score any points and they have three backs (Weber, ALB and DMac).
Scott Scrafton: Does anyone actually think that Vaa'i and Strange played better during Super Rugby Aotearoa?
Marino Mika-ele-Tu'u: Was the best ball running loose forward in Super Rugby Aotearoa and should be in the squad over Lazy McFatso (Akira Ioane)
Tom Sanders: I'm not saying he should be an All Black, but he had a domestic season and can play 6 or 8.
Mitch Dunshea: Started most Crusaders matches this season, but is probably a little small for test Rugby. He's the same size as Vaa'i though.
Angus Ta'avao: i was never a fan of him, but Steve Hansen clearly was. He needs to concentrate less on his media work and being funny, and more on Rugby
Liam Coltman: He's been surpassed at the Highlanders by Ash Dixon and at the AB's by Aumua. I'd be looking for an easy rugby contract if I was him.


Lucky
Tupou Vaa'i: Does anyone else get the impression that the Foster era is going to be defined by undeserved Chiefs players being gifted test caps? This kid could be great, but he isn't an All Black lock's ring-piece right now.He needs to stop his moronic clapping when his team gets a penalty, he isn't playing 1st XV anymore.
Quentin Strange: A talented youngster but only played a couple of SRA games due to injury. His Crusaders teammate Mitch Dunshea outshone him this season.
Cullen Grace: Had a great Super Rugby tournament but post-covid was barely sighted due to injury. He does look promising though.
Brad Weber: Had an average SRA season and wouldn't be near this squad if he wasn't a Chiefs player. Was outplayed by Christie, Hall, Drummond and Booth during the domestic season.
Alex Hodgman: Not the worst selection, but I thought Ayden Johnstone was arguably the form LH in NZ this season and deserved a spot as the 3rd ranked LH.

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:40 pmJacobsen injured?

He played one game of SR Aotearoa. And it's pretty competitive for loose forward spots. I think Boshier was much more deserving than Luke Jacobsen.

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:31 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:28 pm Feel sorry for Laumape . Presume injury kept him out.

When the scalpel doesn't work it's handy to have a hammer. It feels like every time he played for NZ he scored.

pretty sure if laumape was a available, ennor would not have been picked.

That's a dumb comment. Laumape is a specialist 12 and Ennor is a centre/winger.

funny the ONE chiefs player that deserved to be an All Black got ignored by fozzie, yeah talking about Boshier...but yeah i think its a bit like the mccaw era really, so many players could not make the AB's cause of him, including matt todd..boshier might be the todd of this era.

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:49 pm funny the ONE chiefs player that deserved to be an All Black got ignored by fozzie, yeah talking about Boshier...but yeah i think its a bit like the mccaw era really, so many players could not make the AB's cause of him, including matt todd..boshier might be the todd of this era.

Boshier needs to move to openside flanker permanently. Which means he needs to leave the Chiefs. I'm sure the Crusaders would welcome him with open arms. He wouldn't even impact on our quota.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:46 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:40 pmJacobsen injured?

He played one game of SR Aotearoa. And it's pretty competitive for loose forward spots. I think Boshier was much more deserving than Luke Jacobsen.

i wasn't actually advocating for him, but just wondered had he fallen from grace since the RWC selection.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:49 pm

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:31 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:28 pm Feel sorry for Laumape . Presume injury kept him out.

When the scalpel doesn't work it's handy to have a hammer. It feels like every time he played for NZ he scored.

pretty sure if laumape was a available, ennor would not have been picked.

That's a dumb comment. Laumape is a specialist 12 and Ennor is a centre/winger.

yes specialist 12, the other 3 in the team can play other positions too, ennor is the 'green' one, goodhue and ALB are experienced guns, ennor would have been dropped, goodhue played 13 before he played 12, he could always cover that, so can ALB..

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:44 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:32 pm

stemoc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:31 pm

pretty sure if laumape was a available, ennor would not have been picked.

I like Ennor too. I see a 70 cap allblack in him. Hes got injured at inopportune times himself.

yeah but they only pick 3 midfielders and in form Rieko has been the best with Goodhue so ennor might have been cut.. though if i was coach i would have cut either bridge or clarke for laumpae and retain ennor as he can cover wing too..Bridge is a 'lucky' player so is jordan (right place right time kind of players), they aren't completely good players, not sure if WJ is international standard really, i see him as a bit like jack maddocks, great and soup level; shit at international level... but we will see...he might shock us and become a doug howlett type fullback......shame about havili, always there knocking at the AB door, not really opening for him but when he did and he tried to step in, it shut on his feet. :(

You're off your rocker if you don't rate Will Jordan. He has the Kahui's about him. Class no matter where you put him. This boy is gonna be a rolls royce of a test player.

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:55 pm

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:46 pm

Steve wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:40 pmJacobsen injured?

He played one game of SR Aotearoa. And it's pretty competitive for loose forward spots. I think Boshier was much more deserving than Luke Jacobsen.

i wasn't actually advocating for him, but just wondered had he fallen from grace since the RWC selection.

I think he's simply out of favour. He was only a marginal selection last year and his injuries have been extremely untimely because he didn't have any incumbency status to fall back on. He needs a good Mitre 10 Cup and then domestic season in 2021.

Yeah, I think one of the selectors or coaches recently said Jacobson needs a lot more miles on the clock through the NPC before he'd be ready for test rugby. Thought he was very good in his only SRA game, though. Hopefully he can manage to stay injury free for a while and really press his claims.

The all-important squad breakdown;

Crusaders - 11
Blues - 10
Chiefs - 6
Hurricanes - 6
Highlanders - 2

The pack is dominated by Blues players (7 of 20) whereas the backs are dominated by Crusaders players (6 of 15). In years past typically the Crusaders dominated the pack but provided few outside backs.

Who'd have thought we'd have 7 Blues forwards dominating an All Black squad, including four tight forwards? In recent years they've had a powder-puff pack.