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All Blacks squad for the Lions named on the 8th... predictions?

I really like ALB heck I was hoping he would get selected when he did and I think he did a fantastic job last year.

But he looks well off his game right now and doesn't look in the best shape... If I was an AB selector I'd be in communication with him and the chiefs coaches see where he is at, I wouldn't select him but try and figure how to get his mojo back.

There is a lot of hype around Laumape and Aso they are obviously good players. But they are not the only ones and wouldn't necessarily be at the top of my list either.

David Havili
Matt Faddes
Richard Buckman

On the wing I think matt Duffie has been the best 14 in NZ and George Bridge has been very impressive.

Some interesting extra attention on the loose forward side of things right now with Kaino and Read injured.

Luke Whitelock is IMO the clear best to cover #8 and he is a similar type of player to Read.
Squire, Brad Shields and Liam Messam as guys who can cover 6 & 8 Squire first off the rank.

Luatua is fast and atheletic but also signed to go overseas. Shields and Messam are more physical, Messam's experience also factors in.
Dixon has been ok this year but still well down the 2015 form that won him selection. he also hasn't ever really made his chances to play test rugby count. Ioane hasn't really kicked on this year, maybe needs some time to develop.
 
Read and Kaino cutting it fine to make the first test; could be a little undercooked by then. Still, if Whitelock or Brodie went down I think AB fans would start to get more worried. I read Coles is also having problems with his calf. So could be a great leveller for the first test at least. Still, am sure a few lions will be taken out during the warm up games.
 
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I think there was a radio interview mentioned in a herald article where grant fox indicated that they weren't going to disadvantage players who have signed overseas for selection unless there was a "coin toss" situation between two players.

That is words though, Charles Piutau was clearly disadvantaged in 2015 after signing overseas. I think maybe that "coin toss" situation happens more regularly. There is a lot of depth in NZ rugby and competition is tight, of course if one player is signed and committed to NZRU and another is heading overseas it will factor in significantly i think.

He also noted that Charlie Ngatai's return to super rugby is immanent and that he might be considered for lions selection.
 
I think is is the most intriguing squad selection we've had for many years. So many different factors to consider, so many unknowns, so many tough calls to be made.
 
Larksea said:
Charles Piutau was clearly disadvantaged in 2015 after signing overseas.
Click to expand...
yup and so they shouldve been. once they signed overseas they no longer become part of the long term plan. your short term plan should never conflict with your long term.
sorry for the charlies but once they signed ABs need to look at grooming their replacements.
losing isnt a big deal. its if you lose; learn nothing and try nothing new that is unacceptable.
faumuina is a huge loss but ABs need to think about the next player to slot in and that player needs as much game time as poss.
 
its interesting the overseas thing, we have a bit of a mini exodus this year its pretty clear that there are a lot of players that want to head overseas but have timed their contracts in the hope of being included for the lions tour.
I think the All Blacks will need to select some of the guys signed overseas.
Faumuina and Cruden in particular. They are sure to be selected. I expect TKB will be selected as well.
Luatua is a player that is almost in one of those coin toss selection scenarios. He is playing really well and has put himself in line for a recall. But he is signed overseas where guys like Shields and Luke Whitelock are playing just as well and are committed to the NZRU.
James Lowe deserves selection again but because he hasn't been selected in the past any hope of him being selected now is out the window with him signing overseas.
 
Larksea said:
I expect TKB will be selected as well.
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i didnt realise TKB was heading overseas. such a big loss but imo there is TJ and ASmith. we'd need to look at a 3rd HB option but that wouldnt be TKB
lowe is a major loss and i was hoping he would get an AB jersey before now. cant blame him for heading overseas as he's an awesome player and needs to secure his future financially.
i'm not sure about cruden tbh. mounga's playing really well and also we have the barrets and sopoaga. crudens not part of the long term plan.
we have mini exodus' every season. the whole reason ABs dont select from oveseas players is they're tryng to retain players in this country. a player signing overseas and then getting an ABs jersey imo is the wrong message.
 
Dropping TKB would be a shock selection. he is an established squad member and form wise he has been the most consistent 9 in NZ super rugby this year.
Same really goes for Cruden.
There is still potential for an interesting selection there though as Sopoaga has been injured most of the season and isn't due back for a few weeks yet. 3 first fives has been the norm for a while now, Barrett adds utility by covering fullback.
 
In a big, important series like this, whether or not they're headed overseas should count for next to nothing. This isn't about building for the future, it's about beating the Lions. We should pick the best team possible from all those that are available. Players become unavailable when they're playing overseas and that's the way it should be... but ONLY when they're overseas, not while they're still here and contributing to NZ rugby.

I think it's obvious that Cruden and Faumuiina will be selected. They are both big assets. TKB is also a near lock-in, he's an established squad member and definitely deserves his spot based on this year's form. I personally think that Luatua and Lowe deserve to be there too, but that comes down to opinion. Luatua is in a real tight battle there with a number of guys (who all probably deserve it) but I think he offers the most. I'm sure Lowe won't be picked, but by God he is good enough.
 
i understand and agree with all you say

but

you always have to look to the future. beating the lions is important but beating everyone, all the time, is more so.
i agree cruden will most likely get picked but i doubt faumuina will.
chances are i'm wrong but i wouldn't begrudge hansen if i am right .
TKB will be 3rd string but i dont expect him to get any game time unless TJ or ASmith go down.
luatua's time has passed. time for new blood.
 
Carter, Smith, McCaw etc were all selected for the World Cup even though they were heading overseas afterwards.

If you're good enough then you should be selected.
 
TRF Mr Fish said:
Carter, Smith, McCaw etc were all selected for the World Cup even though they were heading overseas afterwards.
Click to expand...
lol. faumuina hasnt earnt that level of consideration. those players played over 100 tests . as good as faumuina is he isnt in the same catergory.
giving caps to players that have chosen to go oveseas isn't setting a good precedent in the long run. kind of defeats the purpose of the o/s policy , which was intended to be an incentive to keep players in nz.

piutau found this out. he was good enough to be o the bench but got dropped entirely.
 

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