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All Blacks Squad Announced
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<blockquote data-quote="TRF Mr Fish" data-source="post: 572573" data-attributes="member: 20892"><p>It's a very predictable squad in the end, with the only surprise really being Matt Todd's call up as an injury replacement. It's very similar to what was predicted in the Super Rugby threads. I'm quite happy with the squad, all things considered, there's no one who I think has been overlooked severely unjustly - though the unlucky players are TJ Perenara, Brad Shields and Dominic Bird (who couldn't be selected due to injury). There are no bolters, either, with Frank Halai not selected (which I think is a good decision, see how he goes next year in Super Rugby, and if he's a force to be reckoned with once more then by all means select him).</p><p></p><p>My 23 for the first match against France (not the top team as such, just the first one to play) would be:</p><p>1 Woodcock</p><p>2 Mealamu</p><p>3 Franks</p><p>4 Romano</p><p>5 Retalick</p><p>6 Messam</p><p>7 Cane</p><p>8 Read (c)</p><p>9 Smith</p><p>10 Carter</p><p>11 Savea</p><p>12 Nonu</p><p>13 Smith</p><p>14 Smith</p><p>15 Dagg (I'd probably have Smith and Dagg swapped round, but I have a feeling the selectors will opt for what I've listed here)</p><p>16 Coles</p><p>17 Franks</p><p>18 Afeaki</p><p>19 Luatua</p><p>20 Vito</p><p>21 Kerr-Barlow</p><p>22 Cruden</p><p>23 Piutau</p><p></p><p>The selectors can mix it up a bit from there, but I think it's best to at least start with settled combinations. I'd like to see Coles and Kerr-Barlow maybe get starts in this series, though I wouldn't oppose them being on the bench for all three games with the other incumbents swapping starting position each week. Luatua will get a game at six, I'd hope, and Vito will probably be the bench loose forward in all matches. I still don't see any point in playing Thrush - he's just a stop gap, in my opinion. Luatua and Vito can both cover the lock spot, if need be. I hope Afeaki will get a start - being the only other tighthead in the squad I'd be surprised if he didn't. The same goes for Saili. Cruden deserves a game at 10, with perhaps Carter or Nonu outside him. Maybe give Saili a go in the third test with Carter and Smith on either side of him. Piutau may get a start on the wing. Ranger and Barrett may not be so lucky, hard to say at this point in time though. I'm anticipating at least two more injuries soon <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TRF Mr Fish, post: 572573, member: 20892"] It's a very predictable squad in the end, with the only surprise really being Matt Todd's call up as an injury replacement. It's very similar to what was predicted in the Super Rugby threads. I'm quite happy with the squad, all things considered, there's no one who I think has been overlooked severely unjustly - though the unlucky players are TJ Perenara, Brad Shields and Dominic Bird (who couldn't be selected due to injury). There are no bolters, either, with Frank Halai not selected (which I think is a good decision, see how he goes next year in Super Rugby, and if he's a force to be reckoned with once more then by all means select him). My 23 for the first match against France (not the top team as such, just the first one to play) would be: 1 Woodcock 2 Mealamu 3 Franks 4 Romano 5 Retalick 6 Messam 7 Cane 8 Read (c) 9 Smith 10 Carter 11 Savea 12 Nonu 13 Smith 14 Smith 15 Dagg (I'd probably have Smith and Dagg swapped round, but I have a feeling the selectors will opt for what I've listed here) 16 Coles 17 Franks 18 Afeaki 19 Luatua 20 Vito 21 Kerr-Barlow 22 Cruden 23 Piutau The selectors can mix it up a bit from there, but I think it's best to at least start with settled combinations. I'd like to see Coles and Kerr-Barlow maybe get starts in this series, though I wouldn't oppose them being on the bench for all three games with the other incumbents swapping starting position each week. Luatua will get a game at six, I'd hope, and Vito will probably be the bench loose forward in all matches. I still don't see any point in playing Thrush - he's just a stop gap, in my opinion. Luatua and Vito can both cover the lock spot, if need be. I hope Afeaki will get a start - being the only other tighthead in the squad I'd be surprised if he didn't. The same goes for Saili. Cruden deserves a game at 10, with perhaps Carter or Nonu outside him. Maybe give Saili a go in the third test with Carter and Smith on either side of him. Piutau may get a start on the wing. Ranger and Barrett may not be so lucky, hard to say at this point in time though. I'm anticipating at least two more injuries soon ;) [/QUOTE]
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