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The Rugby Championship 2023
All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 519953" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>When predicting the squad that I think Hanson and co. will pick, it is helpful to use their 'logic' <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> I completely agree with the logic behind picking two 'versatile' props if only 4 props are taken too. Say (for example) they took Crockett, Woodcock, and Franks * 2. Crockett is clearly rated behind Woodcock, so isn't a starting option (unless Woodcock got injured), and is not a bench option if Owen Franks and Woodcock are starting. He would only be useful injury cover if Woodcock got injured - if either of the Franks got injured he couldn't even be promoted into the 22, as they need two props capable of playing TH (hence they would have to bring a new player into the squad, and Crockett would still be holding the tackle bags!). If they take 5 props Crockett is certainly an option, and when they change to 8 men benches at international level he will be far more valuble (and B Franks will be far less valuable...).</p><p></p><p>Anyways... I've seen Faumuina play LH prop plenty of times. He has played almost exclusively at TH prop this season simply because he is the Blues first choice TH prop (and the Blues don't have any other quality TH props), not because he can't play LH prop. I don't quite understand why you think the Blues have McCartney ranked ahead of him at LH prop. Yes, McCartney has been used at LH prop this season, but Faumunina has been <em>starting </em>at TH prop whenever he has been fit - he can't play in both positions! </p><p> </p><p>Faumuina is very capable of playing on the LH side - he has started a number of matches for the Blues/Auckland in the 1 jersey (including the last 3 matches of last season when Woodcock was out injured), and has covered the LH side of the bench for the last few seasons too (most often he - not John Afoa - moved to LH prop if Woodcock went off). I think he is at least as good on the LH side as he is on the TH side!</p><p></p><p>I'm still not convinced about a number of aspects of Faumuina's play, but his ability to play both sides of the scrum is certainly not one of them!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 519953, member: 24910"] When predicting the squad that I think Hanson and co. will pick, it is helpful to use their 'logic' ;) I completely agree with the logic behind picking two 'versatile' props if only 4 props are taken too. Say (for example) they took Crockett, Woodcock, and Franks * 2. Crockett is clearly rated behind Woodcock, so isn't a starting option (unless Woodcock got injured), and is not a bench option if Owen Franks and Woodcock are starting. He would only be useful injury cover if Woodcock got injured - if either of the Franks got injured he couldn't even be promoted into the 22, as they need two props capable of playing TH (hence they would have to bring a new player into the squad, and Crockett would still be holding the tackle bags!). If they take 5 props Crockett is certainly an option, and when they change to 8 men benches at international level he will be far more valuble (and B Franks will be far less valuable...). Anyways... I've seen Faumuina play LH prop plenty of times. He has played almost exclusively at TH prop this season simply because he is the Blues first choice TH prop (and the Blues don't have any other quality TH props), not because he can't play LH prop. I don't quite understand why you think the Blues have McCartney ranked ahead of him at LH prop. Yes, McCartney has been used at LH prop this season, but Faumunina has been [I]starting [/I]at TH prop whenever he has been fit - he can't play in both positions! Faumuina is very capable of playing on the LH side - he has started a number of matches for the Blues/Auckland in the 1 jersey (including the last 3 matches of last season when Woodcock was out injured), and has covered the LH side of the bench for the last few seasons too (most often he - not John Afoa - moved to LH prop if Woodcock went off). I think he is at least as good on the LH side as he is on the TH side! I'm still not convinced about a number of aspects of Faumuina's play, but his ability to play both sides of the scrum is certainly not one of them! [/QUOTE]
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