AB Positions up for grabs
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@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:
In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.
I fucking hope not. It's not that he's rubbish, it's just that he's a bit, well, ordinary. Why put in a "safe pair of hands" who isn't going to have a long test career? He's a 27 year old with precisely two test caps (and a mid-weeker). It just screams of stop-gap.
You may be right, as i don't know the selectors thoughts (and they are pretty conservative) but i can't see how Whitelock's "experience" is enough to override the higher talent and output of another player.
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The AB's are always utter crap in that first match, well last few years anyway. Even more with NZ deciding to start SR a week later, miss out on a week prep, and have these ridiculous camps. So maybe a safe pair of hands is what they're after for then? Who knows, they're wiser than me!
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@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:
In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.
Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?
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@crazy-horse said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:
In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.
Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?
Nope. I hope not!
Gareth Evans signs two-year deal with Hurricanes
Highlander's loose forward Gareth Evans has signed with the Hurricanes for the next two years.
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@mariner4life said in AB Positions up for grabs:
You may be right, as i don't know the selectors thoughts (and they are pretty conservative) but i can't see how Whitelock's "experience" is enough to override the higher talent and output of another player.
NMS for the RWC 2015 squad? From nowhere?
Ngani Laumape for the Lions squad?
I think they think if you're good enough, you're old enough. I really wouldn't call the selectors conservative.
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@crazy-horse said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:
In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.
Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?
No, signed until end of 2019 season.
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So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
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@nzzp said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@hooroo said in AB Positions up for grabs:
What a gutna if he is finished as he has matured into an excellent number 2!
Hell yeah. Scored some insane tries with his pace from hooker. A great example (like BBBR) of someone who does their core job, and then just brings another level of insane talent.
Scored? Set up a few with some ridiculous passes Nonu and Smith would still be skiting about too ...
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
Just a check of who is missing from ... please help ... not sure who is injured ...
Hames
Coles, Aumua
...
Tuipolutu
Read, Savea
...
Aso
NMSOthers?
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-AllenLaulala should be back by June.
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad
Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, ToddSmith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!
Eves? Can't imagine them calling up a 30-year old who has never been in the squad. I was more thinking of Daniel Lienert-Brown. Don't think there's much else separting the two, both not AB level, but at least DLB has time on his side.
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@stargazer I've got no real idea about loosheads. DLB was my next pick just based on attrition. But I went with Eves for two reasons:
- Jeff Wilson picked Eves for the AB team on "The Breakdown"; and
- According to stats Eves is significantly bigger than DLB - who seems very small for an international loosehead.
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@stargazer thanks. I wonder who I was thinking of?
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West?
