KOB1987
John Eales (66)
My understanding that White is in quarantine currently and then will be joining the Brumbies.Edit: forgot about White, how can we pick him if he's not playing any footy however?
My understanding that White is in quarantine currently and then will be joining the Brumbies.Edit: forgot about White, how can we pick him if he's not playing any footy however?
That's a pretty fair point.
I'd be bringing the likes of Lolesio, Harrison, Wilson, McDermott, McReight, Swain, Simone, Bell, Blyth, Gibbon, Swinton into the training squad, but in the end you might just run with this this year.
15 Banks
14 DHP
13 Kuridrani
12 To'omua
11 Koroiebete
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
9 White
8 Naisirani
7 Hooper
6 Samu
5 Simmons
4 Philip
3 Ala'alatoa
2 Fainga'a
1 Slipper
I'm with you Reg - particularly as it may just be the AB's we are playing - tough initiation. Those youngsters will learn plenty from being in the environment and hopefully have plenty of chances next year for bench positions and the occasional start, especially if we have a broader array of opposition.
bench for that team for me would be
16. Uelese 17. Sio 18. Tupou 19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) 20. Valetini 21. Wright 22. Powell 23. Hodge
Rest of the squad is more difficult. So many guys on the fringe. Youngsters with potential & journeymen pushing for a chance.
24. Amosa/Mafi
25. Gibbon/Bell/HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
26. Blyth/Swain/Neville
27. Wilson/Swinton/Mcreight
28. Mcdermott/Gordon/Prior
29. Lolesio/Harrison
30. Simone/Godwin
31. Paisami
32. Kellaway/Wright
33. Campbell/Maddocks
I wonder if even though they announce an 'official' Bledisloe/RC squad, will they want to/be able to afford to, expand the squad when training in Aus?
Wayne Smith reporting today that the tinkering to the overseas player rules could be the ability to pick a certain number (2 or 3) maximum regardless of number of caps. Soon to be renamed the Second Row Rule if that is correct.
Kerevi, Skelton and Arnold thanks.
Skelton over Rodda would be a big call.
Have you watched Skelton play for Saracens?
Yes, and it's still a big call,
he never performed at International level, and playing at Saracens where the front row always dominates and alongside one of the top 3 locks in World rugby makes him look good.
I'd pick Rodda or Coleman over Skelton.
Yeah he's been a form lock in Europe - but he and Arnold would be fighting for one of the locking spots, where-as Rodda offers something different to Arnold.Have you watched Skelton play for Saracens?
Boggles the mind. He oversaw the worst Wallaby lineout in decades.Yes, and it's still a big call,
he never performed at International level, and playing at Saracens where the front row always dominates and alongside one of the top 3 locks in World rugby makes him look good.
I'd pick Rodda or Coleman over Skelton.
Yes, and it's still a big call,
he never performed at International level, and playing at Saracens where the front row always dominates and alongside one of the top 3 locks in World rugby makes him look good.
I'd pick Rodda or Coleman over Skelton.
Skelton over Rodda would be a big call.
Wayne Smith reporting today that the tinkering to the overseas player rules could be the ability to pick a certain number (2 or 3) maximum regardless of number of caps. Soon to be renamed the Second Row Rule if that is correct.
^^^ not entirely convinced by Daugunu yet. Don't see the point in having two outside backs on the bench either (granted Petaia covers 13 - but TK will see out the game). I'd be tempted by a 6-2 split with another lock coming onto the bench (probably Simmons). If you are sticking with 5-3 then i'd have one of the young fly-halves on the bench.
Maddocks, like Banks, only covers 15 really, so not a great utility back to have either.