AB RWC Squad
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Maybe it's my memory failing but this squad seems to be carrying more niggles and injury concerns than previous RWC squads, (even including McCaw's foot).
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@gt12 said in AB RWC Squad:
@Chris-B said in AB RWC Squad:
@frugby said in AB RWC Squad:
@Chris-B said in AB RWC Squad:
@mariner4life said in AB RWC Squad:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
There are some pretty unlikely scenarios being thrown about. We have to operate with a smaller squad and yes the outside back contingency seems like overkill. But were they ever going to select 5 locks regardless? Nope. Hey we only took 3 locks to 2015!
i get this, but
As it stands, with Retallick out for 2 or 3 games, we have 3 locks and 5 loosies. You need a combination of 7 of these for every match. It just means that we're putting a lot of load on the first stringers early in the tournament.
It does help that the two hardest pool games are pretty early, and it's likely the top side plays them anyway. 1 more injury and you are out of options. two and you are out of players, not matter what their positions are.
I think the only significant problem is if one of the indispensable locks (or Frizell) gets a short run injury against South Africa. Then we'd go into the game against France with two big guys having to play 80 minutes and no proper injury cover.
Otherwise, we can surely manage short-handed vs the minnows and Italy - and Retallick hopefully back by then anyway.
But, why take the risk? The fifth wing will maximum play vs Namibia and Uruguay.
As much as anything it's the lack of logic that annoys me. I just can't see how you'd think this balance was the best idea (short of Will Jordan and a wing friend really are going by ship and they expect them to be stuck in Suez for some considerable time)!
Foster said it was all to do with training, which makes sense I guess. Even if the 33rd guy with a loose forward, he too would probably be limited to a couple of pool matches.
I kind of struggle to see that having a 15th back to help out with training is going to outweigh the value of having someone like Josh Lord available to sit on the bench if we were to end up with only two locks available vs France.
Usually, I can at least see the logic behind Fozzie's selections, but this one has me beat.
Especially when they can and are taking extra players. So, why not take an extra outside to help with training and guarantee having enough locks/loosies?
Got me beat.
I wonder whether it is as simple as that they couldn't decide between Leicester, Emoni, and Caleb so took them all.
They’re not taking extra players to the RWC though. They may be in the region, but they won’t be training with or be around the squad at all. Given all the cameras around and some of the controversy from past RWC about replacement players and decisions about squads, I don’t think the ABs will be do any sneaky stuff!
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@gt12 said in AB RWC Squad:
@Chris-B said in AB RWC Squad:
@frugby said in AB RWC Squad:
@Chris-B said in AB RWC Squad:
@mariner4life said in AB RWC Squad:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
There are some pretty unlikely scenarios being thrown about. We have to operate with a smaller squad and yes the outside back contingency seems like overkill. But were they ever going to select 5 locks regardless? Nope. Hey we only took 3 locks to 2015!
i get this, but
As it stands, with Retallick out for 2 or 3 games, we have 3 locks and 5 loosies. You need a combination of 7 of these for every match. It just means that we're putting a lot of load on the first stringers early in the tournament.
It does help that the two hardest pool games are pretty early, and it's likely the top side plays them anyway. 1 more injury and you are out of options. two and you are out of players, not matter what their positions are.
I think the only significant problem is if one of the indispensable locks (or Frizell) gets a short run injury against South Africa. Then we'd go into the game against France with two big guys having to play 80 minutes and no proper injury cover.
Otherwise, we can surely manage short-handed vs the minnows and Italy - and Retallick hopefully back by then anyway.
But, why take the risk? The fifth wing will maximum play vs Namibia and Uruguay.
As much as anything it's the lack of logic that annoys me. I just can't see how you'd think this balance was the best idea (short of Will Jordan and a wing friend really are going by ship and they expect them to be stuck in Suez for some considerable time)!
Foster said it was all to do with training, which makes sense I guess. Even if the 33rd guy with a loose forward, he too would probably be limited to a couple of pool matches.
I kind of struggle to see that having a 15th back to help out with training is going to outweigh the value of having someone like Josh Lord available to sit on the bench if we were to end up with only two locks available vs France.
Usually, I can at least see the logic behind Fozzie's selections, but this one has me beat.
Especially when they can and are taking extra players. So, why not take an extra outside to help with training and guarantee having enough locks/loosies?
Got me beat.
I wonder whether it is as simple as that they couldn't decide between Leicester, Emoni, and Caleb so took them all.
They’re not taking extra players to the RWC though. They may be in the region, but they won’t be training with or be around the squad at all. Given all the cameras around and some of the controversy from past RWC about replacement players and decisions about squads, I don’t think the ABs will be do any sneaky stuff!
I didn't say they were going to the WC. I'm talking about the training until then.
But the unlucky omissions from the France-bound squad of 33 have been handed a lifeline of sorts, with All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirming straight after his announcement in Napier on Monday that he would carry three additions through until the start of the tournament. Finau, Weber and Canterbury hooker George Bell would fill those roles as they cover key positions for the squad which heads to Twickenham to take on South Africa on August 26 in their last pre-World Cup hitout. They open the global tournament against France on September 8. -
@taniwharugby said in AB RWC Squad:
@chimoaus said in AB RWC Squad:
Didn’t Fitzy get the 87 nod due to injury?
For Hika Reid?
Andy Dalton I think who was also captain.
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About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
We might need a series on best All Blacks World Cup XV, could be interesting to reflect on who had the biggest impact and why.
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@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
We might need a series on best All Blacks World Cup XV, could be interesting to reflect on who had the biggest impact and why.
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@chimoaus said in AB RWC Squad:
We might need a series on best All Blacks World Cup XV, could be interesting to reflect on who had the biggest impact and why.
We actually did something like last RWC. Votes on every position for the best AB RWC side
I'll post that xv in a new thread
I doubt anyone pushed their way in after RWC 2019..
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What have been some of the worst WC injuries either just before or during? Carter is up there but I think Tana in 03 fucked us. Didn’t Fitzy get the 87 nod due to injury?
@chimoaus said in AB RWC Squad:
What have been some of the worst WC injuries either just before or during? Carter is up there but I think Tana in 03 fucked us. Didn’t Fitzy get the 87 nod due to injury?
Andy Dalton blew his leg out in an impromptu run session at the Poenamo before the 87 cup. Fitzy became the starter and David Kirk became Captain. Hence Dalton's sheepish look when he held up the cup with Kirk. Probably felt gutted it wasn't him
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About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
What about we talk about how the match review and judiciary screwed us over in 2007 with the Lauaki citing, decision and handling of the appeal.
I still maintain that Lauaki should’ve been playing as that impact and point of difference off the bench.
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@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
What about we talk about how the match review and judiciary screwed us over in 2007 with the Lauaki citing, decision and handling of the appeal.
I still maintain that Lauaki should’ve been playing as that impact and point of difference off the bench.
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
What about we talk about how the match review and judiciary screwed us over in 2007 with the Lauaki citing, decision and handling of the appeal.
I still maintain that Lauaki should’ve been playing as that impact and point of difference off the bench.
No
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I suspect Codie may be carrying a niggle, otherwise fourth hooker is an abundance of caution.
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I suspect Codie may be carrying a niggle, otherwise fourth hooker is an abundance of caution.
@pakman said in AB RWC Squad:
I suspect Codie may be carrying a niggle, otherwise fourth hooker is an abundance of caution.
I imagine it's to play or bench against the boks, as you've got twice as much chance of injuring one of your 3 must have hookers if you play 2 of them.
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I suspect Codie may be carrying a niggle, otherwise fourth hooker is an abundance of caution.
@pakman said in AB RWC Squad:
I suspect Codie may be carrying a niggle, otherwise fourth hooker is an abundance of caution.
Fourth halfback (just for Boks test) too.
It wouldn’t surprise me if all three of Weber, Finau and Bell feature against the Boks. Possibly Finau starts and the other two on the bench.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
What about we talk about how the match review and judiciary screwed us over in 2007 with the Lauaki citing, decision and handling of the appeal.
I still maintain that Lauaki should’ve been playing as that impact and point of difference off the bench.
No
@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
@ACT-Crusader said in AB RWC Squad:
@voodoo said in AB RWC Squad:
About 712 hours until we kick off against France in case anyone wanted to know.
Going to need to sleep a lot of those, not sure I can survive on threads about historical injuries until then
What about we talk about how the match review and judiciary screwed us over in 2007 with the Lauaki citing, decision and handling of the appeal.
I still maintain that Lauaki should’ve been playing as that impact and point of difference off the bench.
No
Ben Atiga vs Cullen perhaps?
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I didn’t realise the big gaps between games, almost too much time to be honest as the team that plays France will have 3 weeks break before Italy. If so the biggest issue in France might be stopping the players getting bored or lacking match fitness.
9th France
16th Namibia
30th Italy
6th Oct UruguayHow many minutes will Roigard have played in the last few months for example. He really needs 40 minutes vs the Boks.
Is the WC squad playing NPC prior to going?
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heard an interview with Shag, he said lots of positive things on how we are going,
He highlighted the tight 5 as the big improvement on the 2019 squad, we can now exchange up front with the big boys as well as play expansive,
in regards to the number of outside backs, he said something like ,they are intelligent men they would have discussed it at length and will have their reasons, it could be in relation to the way they want to play , it could be they want to keep the likes of Reiko and Jordan in the roles they have been given and not have to be moved .
there was some shag sarcasm on the public always thinking they know better
@kiwiinmelb said in AB RWC Squad:
there was some shag sarcasm on the public always thinking they know better
The public know shit. The Fern on the other hand...
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@gt12 They just seem to have ended up in an unusual place.
I suspect they did the whole thing down the pub.
Afterwards Fozzie emailed them the team.
Ryan replied, "Hey Foz, looks good, but we've only got 32 players, we need another LF".
Foz emails back, "Oh fuck, thanks - that would have been embarrassing - sorted now".
Foz: Now how do you spell Lester?
