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Your 31 man Squad and Starting 15 for Your country in the Rugby World Cup 2019 guys part 2 :)

I'm agree with Ledesma to exclude this two players.
Cordero is a great sprinter but a terrible defender. He don't have tackle. He may have had a good season in England but here are lots of wingers better than him. I like the wingers that Ledesma named.
And Isa has shown that he didn't contribute anything to the team in this RCH. I really expected more of him as a way to replace a "retired" Leguizamón, but..... I think that the rugby of France don't improve our players. Makes them more clumsy and slower.

And the same consideration to the inclusion of Nico Sanchez to the detriment of ***o Diaz Bonilla. Very poor job from him.
 
I'm agree with Ledesma to exclude this two players.
Cordero is a great sprinter but a terrible defender. He don't have tackle. He may have had a good season in England but here are lots of wingers better than him. I like the wingers that Ledesma named.
And Isa has shown that he didn't contribute anything to the team in this RCH. I really expected more of him as a way to replace a "retired" Leguizamón, but..... I think that the rugby of France don't improve our players. Makes them more clumsy and slower.

And the same consideration of the inclusion of Nico Sanchez to the detriment of ***o Diaz Bonilla. Very poor job from him.
 
IMO the AB's squad is still a bit in the air and is almost certain to contain a surprise or two, plus we have a major issue with the outside backs where 5 does not go into 4 or even 3!
I think the side is set to be named next Wednesday.

Forwards:
Hookers(3)
Dane Coles
Codie Taylor
Liam Coltman

Props(5)
Owen Franks
Angus Ta'avao
Joe Moody
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tuungafasi

Locks(4)
Brodie Retallick
Samuel Whitelock
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Barrett

Loose forwards(5)
Kieran Read(c)
Ardie Savea
Sam Cane
Matt Todd
Liam Squire

Backs:
Halfbacks(3)
Aaron Smith
TJ Perenara
Brad Weber

First five–eighths(3)
Beauden Barrett
Richie Mo'unga
Josh Ioane

Midfielders(4)
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs(4) (must drop 1 ?!?!)
Ben Smith
Jordie Barrett
George Bridge
Rieko Ioane
Sevuloni Reece

last WC we took 3 locks and 6 loosies but with Retalick injured and unable to play during some pool games I think the balance will swing to 4 locks 5 loosies with Scott Barrett selected as a lock who can cover 6.
Also helped by Patrick Tuipulotu's great performance against Aussie
I also think Liam Squire will make himself available and be recalled. That leaves us with the 3 great 7's in Cane, Savea and Todd. Makes it complicated fitting all 3 in but they are just too good to leave out
Luke Jacobson is interesting because he was never released and it seems like the selectors wanted to see more if him. I also look at his super rugby stats and IMO he was easily on of NZ's for loose forwards this year. If the selectors do drop Todd it may be for Luke Jacobson. who's stats were much better than Fifita in some key areas like tackle rate and success rate and discipline. But he does lack experience. Luke I think did have some reoccurring head knock symptoms which kept him off the field and is likely to cost him a spot.

Laumape is just flat out unlucky, no way there is room for 5 midfielders and despite the form he is in. He is 5th in the AB's pecking order with Crotty in the mix. But Honestly I think the chances of all 4 of our midfielders getting through the WC uninjured are 50/50 at best so he needs to stay fit and ready. Crotty and SBW have had bad runs of injury. Also the big difference between him and the others is the passing game. Its an area of his game he needs to develop.
Considering that barrett is set to play most of the WC at 15 and Richie's just injured we simply can't leave Josh Ioane out! I also think hes almost certain to start against Tonga.
With Barrett playing 15 we simply cant take everyone from Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevuloni Reece. Which would need to be cut to 4 anyway!
Or does something equally crazy happen like Jordie Barrett gets dropped?
OR do they consider Jordie Barrett an option to play 10 and leave Josh Ioane out!?!?! Jordie does consider himself a goal kicking 12. he has the skills to play 10 but it would be unlikely in big games, that said he has a lot more test experience than Josh Ioane.
Or do they do something crazy like only take 2 halfbacks?

It's crazy to think that they may have to drop Rieko Ioane sure he has been the best winger on the planet for the last 2-3 years but hes been off form after not really being at his best in super rugby then underwhelming in the first 2 tests. he's been released to Mitre 10 Cup. Dropping Ben Smith would be an even bigger call, long time the best 15 in the world he is lacking recent rugby and spark to his game but he still looked more threatening than Ioane and he's such a big influence in the squad. I also think the month or so we have before the WC is more than enough time for Ben Smith to work on his form and fitness and get back to his best.
Or despite the awesome performance in that last test do you drop Reece? I think Bridge is a lock in with his form, skill under the high ball and versatility to play any position in the back 3.
I wanted to see more of Braydon Ennor but he hasn't really been used so cant really be considered. IMO he looks like he will play a lot of test footy eventually.

Unlucky/on call
Ngani Laumape
Asafo Aumua
Luke Jacobson
Braydon Ennor
Dalton Papalii
Shannon Frizell
Jackson Hemopo
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Atunaisa Moli
Vaea Fifita
Whetu Douglas - I think this guy should have been given more of a shot at the squad
 
IMO the AB's squad is still a bit in the air and is almost certain to contain a surprise or two, plus we have a major issue with the outside backs where 5 does not go into 4 or even 3!
I think the side is set to be named next Wednesday.

Forwards:
Hookers(3)
Dane Coles
Codie Taylor
Liam Coltman

Props(5)
Owen Franks
Angus Ta'avao
Joe Moody
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tuungafasi

Locks(4)
Brodie Retallick
Samuel Whitelock
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Barrett

Loose forwards(5)
Kieran Read(c)
Ardie Savea
Sam Cane
Matt Todd
Liam Squire

Backs:
Halfbacks(3)
Aaron Smith
TJ Perenara
Brad Weber

First five–eighths(3)
Beauden Barrett
Richie Mo'unga
Josh Ioane

Midfielders(4)
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs(4) (must drop 1 ?!?!)
Ben Smith
Jordie Barrett
George Bridge
Rieko Ioane
Sevuloni Reece

last WC we took 3 locks and 6 loosies but with Retalick injured and unable to play during some pool games I think the balance will swing to 4 locks 5 loosies with Scott Barrett selected as a lock who can cover 6.
Also helped by Patrick Tuipulotu's great performance against Aussie
I also think Liam Squire will make himself available and be recalled. That leaves us with the 3 great 7's in Cane, Savea and Todd. Makes it complicated fitting all 3 in but they are just too good to leave out
Luke Jacobson is interesting because he was never released and it seems like the selectors wanted to see more if him. I also look at his super rugby stats and IMO he was easily on of NZ's for loose forwards this year. If the selectors do drop Todd it may be for Luke Jacobson. who's stats were much better than Fifita in some key areas like tackle rate and success rate and discipline. But he does lack experience. Luke I think did have some reoccurring head knock symptoms which kept him off the field and is likely to cost him a spot.

Laumape is just flat out unlucky, no way there is room for 5 midfielders and despite the form he is in. He is 5th in the AB's pecking order with Crotty in the mix. But Honestly I think the chances of all 4 of our midfielders getting through the WC uninjured are 50/50 at best so he needs to stay fit and ready. Crotty and SBW have had bad runs of injury. Also the big difference between him and the others is the passing game. Its an area of his game he needs to develop.
Considering that barrett is set to play most of the WC at 15 and Richie's just injured we simply can't leave Josh Ioane out! I also think hes almost certain to start against Tonga.
With Barrett playing 15 we simply cant take everyone from Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevuloni Reece. Which would need to be cut to 4 anyway!
Or does something equally crazy happen like Jordie Barrett gets dropped?
OR do they consider Jordie Barrett an option to play 10 and leave Josh Ioane out!?!?! Jordie does consider himself a goal kicking 12. he has the skills to play 10 but it would be unlikely in big games, that said he has a lot more test experience than Josh Ioane.
Or do they do something crazy like only take 2 halfbacks?

It's crazy to think that they may have to drop Rieko Ioane sure he has been the best winger on the planet for the last 2-3 years but hes been off form after not really being at his best in super rugby then underwhelming in the first 2 tests. he's been released to Mitre 10 Cup. Dropping Ben Smith would be an even bigger call, long time the best 15 in the world he is lacking recent rugby and spark to his game but he still looked more threatening than Ioane and he's such a big influence in the squad. I also think the month or so we have before the WC is more than enough time for Ben Smith to work on his form and fitness and get back to his best.
Or despite the awesome performance in that last test do you drop Reece? I think Bridge is a lock in with his form, skill under the high ball and versatility to play any position in the back 3.
I wanted to see more of Braydon Ennor but he hasn't really been used so cant really be considered. IMO he looks like he will play a lot of test footy eventually.

Unlucky/on call
Ngani Laumape
Asafo Aumua
Luke Jacobson
Braydon Ennor
Dalton Papalii
Shannon Frizell
Jackson Hemopo
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Atunaisa Moli
Vaea Fifita
Whetu Douglas - I think this guy should have been given more of a shot at the squad
I agree with almost all of your comments here, and think this is what they will pick, with Reece the guy that misses out.

If squire isn't picked I think it has to be Jacobson, gives us 3 blindside and 3 number 8 options.

Interested to hear your thoughts on the props. I came to the same conclusion, or guess, but it's a hard call to take just one specialist loosehead. Hard to believe we are in this state, I don't remember a time when our second best fit player in a given position was this far off the mark. Moli played really poorly against australia, Karl has been sick so would unlikely have sufficient fitness, perry is injured, Hanes is injured. So ofa, primarily a tight head, is our second best loosehead. Angus played there for the chiefs earlier this year but didn't do well and admitted it was a real struggle. The only option apart from relying on ofa and Angus would be to trust Moli to improve with a few more games under his belt. But then which tighthead do you leave out?

In terms of who I would pick, as opposed to who I think they would pick...

I would pick Jacobson over squire. Ennor over Jordie. Hemopo over tuipolotu. Props? Still unsure, luckily I've got just under 6 days to decide haha.
 
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yeah Loosehead is a bit of a mystery I think both Angus and Ofa have given it a shot but it very may well be that a Loosehead comes from outside the current group into the WC squad or Moli gets a go. though if he was closer to being included then why did he not make the squad for Eden Park? As far as I know he's not injured at all??

In the Absence of Squire I'd like to see Jacobson as well but he only got 23min against Argentina then had concussion symptoms. Big call for a guy with such little test rugby to be included. His Super Rugby stats are far more impressive than Fifita's but Fifita can cover Lock in a pinch. Was also interesting to see Frizel leave the squad when he did I thought he was tracking OK. I also thought Dalton Papali'i deserved more of a look. I think the selectors are seriously looking at all the guys in NPC and and using that as a measuring stick. But right now it seems like Squire is looking sharper and happier and likely to put his hand back up for selection. Lots of variables we dont know so wait and see...?
 
So it seems Fifita has picked up a Knee injury which ruled him out of last nights game for wellington. No word yet on how long it will keep him out and it it will rule him out of world cup games. Even if it meant he would miss a few of the early games it would likely rule him out completely being a fringe player who would play an important role in covering Retalick's injury during the early rounds.
 
IMO the AB's squad is still a bit in the air and is almost certain to contain a surprise or two, plus we have a major issue with the outside backs where 5 does not go into 4 or even 3!
I think the side is set to be named next Wednesday.

Forwards:
Hookers(3)
Dane Coles
Codie Taylor
Liam Coltman

Props(5)
Owen Franks
Angus Ta'avao
Joe Moody
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tuungafasi

Locks(4)
Brodie Retallick
Samuel Whitelock
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Barrett

Loose forwards(5)
Kieran Read(c)
Ardie Savea
Sam Cane
Matt Todd
Liam Squire

Backs:
Halfbacks(3)
Aaron Smith
TJ Perenara
Brad Weber

First five–eighths(3)
Beauden Barrett
Richie Mo'unga
Josh Ioane

Midfielders(4)
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs(4) (must drop 1 ?!?!)
Ben Smith
Jordie Barrett
George Bridge
Rieko Ioane
Sevuloni Reece

last WC we took 3 locks and 6 loosies but with Retalick injured and unable to play during some pool games I think the balance will swing to 4 locks 5 loosies with Scott Barrett selected as a lock who can cover 6.
Also helped by Patrick Tuipulotu's great performance against Aussie
I also think Liam Squire will make himself available and be recalled. That leaves us with the 3 great 7's in Cane, Savea and Todd. Makes it complicated fitting all 3 in but they are just too good to leave out
Luke Jacobson is interesting because he was never released and it seems like the selectors wanted to see more if him. I also look at his super rugby stats and IMO he was easily on of NZ's for loose forwards this year. If the selectors do drop Todd it may be for Luke Jacobson. who's stats were much better than Fifita in some key areas like tackle rate and success rate and discipline. But he does lack experience. Luke I think did have some reoccurring head knock symptoms which kept him off the field and is likely to cost him a spot.

Laumape is just flat out unlucky, no way there is room for 5 midfielders and despite the form he is in. He is 5th in the AB's pecking order with Crotty in the mix. But Honestly I think the chances of all 4 of our midfielders getting through the WC uninjured are 50/50 at best so he needs to stay fit and ready. Crotty and SBW have had bad runs of injury. Also the big difference between him and the others is the passing game. Its an area of his game he needs to develop.
Considering that barrett is set to play most of the WC at 15 and Richie's just injured we simply can't leave Josh Ioane out! I also think hes almost certain to start against Tonga.
With Barrett playing 15 we simply cant take everyone from Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevuloni Reece. Which would need to be cut to 4 anyway!
Or does something equally crazy happen like Jordie Barrett gets dropped?
OR do they consider Jordie Barrett an option to play 10 and leave Josh Ioane out!?!?! Jordie does consider himself a goal kicking 12. he has the skills to play 10 but it would be unlikely in big games, that said he has a lot more test experience than Josh Ioane.
Or do they do something crazy like only take 2 halfbacks?

It's crazy to think that they may have to drop Rieko Ioane sure he has been the best winger on the planet for the last 2-3 years but hes been off form after not really being at his best in super rugby then underwhelming in the first 2 tests. he's been released to Mitre 10 Cup. Dropping Ben Smith would be an even bigger call, long time the best 15 in the world he is lacking recent rugby and spark to his game but he still looked more threatening than Ioane and he's such a big influence in the squad. I also think the month or so we have before the WC is more than enough time for Ben Smith to work on his form and fitness and get back to his best.
Or despite the awesome performance in that last test do you drop Reece? I think Bridge is a lock in with his form, skill under the high ball and versatility to play any position in the back 3.
I wanted to see more of Braydon Ennor but he hasn't really been used so cant really be considered. IMO he looks like he will play a lot of test footy eventually.

Unlucky/on call
Ngani Laumape
Asafo Aumua
Luke Jacobson
Braydon Ennor
Dalton Papalii
Shannon Frizell
Jackson Hemopo
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Atunaisa Moli
Vaea Fifita
Whetu Douglas - I think this guy should have been given more of a shot at the squad

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...s-all-blacks-management-green-light-for-japan

Looks like Squire has let Hansen and the selectors know he is available. So now just down to whether they pick him on Wednesday.
 
So it seems Fifita has picked up a Knee injury which ruled him out of last nights game for wellington. No word yet on how long it will keep him out and it it will rule him out of world cup games. Even if it meant he would miss a few of the early games it would likely rule him out completely being a fringe player who would play an important role in covering Retalick's injury during the early rounds.
Did you catch the Tasman game? I'm wondering too how Tim Perry's workrate was. I watched Karl and he didn't have a bad game but very low work rate; played about 50 mins at loosehead then 20 at tighthead, very successfully too at scrum time . I'm not sure we need tighthead cover though.
 

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