the rules around squads and replacement restrictions mean that carrying three hookers and halfbacks is basically a must. Else if a hooker or halfback gets injured before a playoff game he can't be replaced in time and you will have to go into a knockout game with only a single specialist in that position. Considering we genuinely dont have players who can fill those roles in a pinch.
That actually makes selections very tight and there are going to be some really hard done by players.
But is good news for Hika Elliot and Brad Webber
I think what that is going to mean is we wont be able to have as many midfield/outside back cover players. Which may mean limited room for the likes of Crotty, Fekitoa or patrick Osborne. And we will have to rely on the versatility of players like Carter 10,12. Slade 10,12. wing Barrett 10, 15, wing. Ben Smith 15, 13, wing. Jane 14, 15. because of the tight nature of backs SBW will be considered a wing option as well.
That also accounts for the fact that we will take 3 first fives: Carter, Barrett, Slade Their versatility makes taking 3 viable when there would normally only be room for 2. Sopoanga only really comes into the equation if there is another injury.
This is a WC in the UK and with that extra focus or importance should be on the forwards and forwards that perform well in those types of conditions.
Shadow Squad 31 players 18 forwards/13 backs
1, Woody, Moody
2, Coles, Mealamu, Hika
3, O. Franks, Charlie, Ben Franks
4, Whitelock, Tuipalotu
5, Retalick, Broadhurst (Biggest call, outplays thrush every week IMO and he's a genuine big lock unlike thrush. IMO he has to be selected and given a run before the WC)
6, Kaino, Messam
7, McCaw, Cane
8, Read, +1 (from Vito, Luatua, shields, Matt Todd, Savea from the endless selection of loose forwards we have that are good enough to play test footy)
9, Smith, Perenara, Webber
10, Carter, Barrett, Slade
11, Savea
12, Nonu, SBW
13, C. Smith
14, Jane
15, Ben Smith, Dagg
Vito vs luatua for that last spot? I would give to Luatua, he performs better under pressure. IMO vito seems to go missing when the pressure goes on the canes.
You can see how tight a 18/13 split it is in the backs, there is no room for important players like Crotty & Fekitoa and no room for an extra winger like Osborne.
It's also critical for Dagg to be fit find form and play bloody well, there is no room for guys in questionable form to take up one of those 13 spots.
Fringe players
1, Goodes, Manu
2, Parsons, Motu
3, Big Ben T
4, Thrush
5, Romano
6, akira ioane, blade thomson
7, Matt Todd
8, Vito
9, Elis, pulu
10, Sopoanga, Tom Taylor (I actually see Tom Taylor as an ideal player for world cup rugby in the UK)
11, Lowe, Osborne
12, Crotty, Moala
13, Fekitoa, Saili
14, Naholo
15, Tom Marshall, Skudder, Tom Taylor
Key strategie, manage players workload. Kaino was overworked last WC and was a walking wreck when the final arrived, he and Messam should share gametime in an effort to keep Kaino fresh for the finals. The same philosophy should be applied to other critical players like Read, McCaw, Whitelock, Retalick, Savea, Aaron Smith, ben Smith. Guys who are experienced enough they dont need 4-5 games in a row to find form. It's more important they are fresh.
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I honestly dont see Naholo as a contender unless there is an injury and even then I would select Osborne next, I think Osborne has more strings to his bow, more suited to test footy. And realistically if someone like Jane is injured it's more likely Crotty or Fekitoa will come in. Guys with experience.
