So I see Lima's name being passed around a bit on other sites - unless Barrett, Carter, Slade get injured I can't see him being in the squad. I don't think it'd be a bad idea having him train with the squad though - definitely 4th in line now.
Agreed but probably a little more raw - and that's no compliment either. Sorta the "Solid Super Rugby Player" title but barely/ not AB worthy.
Farrell can do no wrong in my eyes. I would have him in the AB squad if he was a Kiwi easily. Would rank him a close third behind cruden and Barrett. He distributes the ball well and is prepared to take the line on. Plus he is worth at least 6 points a game in terms of extra goal kicks that he makes. I think Ford is a better tactical kicker hands down, but he wouldn't be doing much of that for us if selected.
He's a league player who was only in the side because his dad was on the coaching staff. Honestly can't understand what you see in him. Apart from being able to kick goals reasonably well and make the odd tackle he's pretty shite in every other aspect. The test he played at Twickenham in November when they lost to South Africa was one of the worst displays by an international 10 I had ever seen tbh.
Well I don't rate Ford at all, and i accept I am a minority of one in that aspect. In one match against Wales I thought he was the worst player on the field but they turned around and gave him man of the match. So clearly what I look for in a first five must be different than the rest of the universe.
Heh, overlooked Woodcock for some reason, he'd slide in for the 31, they'll definitely take 31/ 5 props.
Not bad predictions from me even if I say so myself, only 3 players above not in the All Blacks 41 man squad and all are because of injury (Tuipulotu - hip surgery, Pulu - fracture, Harris - injured but expected to return to the squad in time). Next few months will be key to see if fringe/ new players perform. Injuries could come into effect too. I reckon Broadhurst is a real chance now with Tuipulotu out - Thrush possibly excluded too. Milner-Skudder and Naholo will be at the feat of Jane/ Dagg too. For the most part though, I think above is pretty reflective as to what we'll see (barring injury).
With Super Rugby at an end for Saffer teams, reckon I'll have a crack at our squad and the squad I would have selected: My Starting XV with second choices: 15. Jesse Kriel / Willie Le Roux 14. JP Petersen / Francois Hougaard 13. Jean De Villiers / Damien De Allende 12. Francois Steyn / Jan Serfontein 11. Bryan Habana / Lwazi Mvovo 10. Pat Lambie / Handre Pollard 9. Ruan Pienaar / Cobus Reinach 8. Duane Vermeulen 7. Schalk Burger / Francois Louw 6. Marcell Coetzee / Jaco Kriel 5. Pieter-Steph Du Toit / Victor Matfield 4. Eben Etzebeth / Lood De Jager 3. Vincent Koch / Frans Malherbe 2. Bismark Du Plessis / Adriaan Strauss 1. Coenie Oosthuizen / Stephen Kitshoff What will most probably be chosen to start and back up: 15. Willie Le Roux / Jesse Kriel 14. Same as mine 13. JdV / Damien De Allende 12. Jan Serfontein / Damien De Allende 11. Same as mine 10. Handre Pollard / Pat Lambie 9. Ruan Pienaar / Fourie Du Preez 8. Duane Vermeulen / Schalk Burger 7. Francois Louw / Oupa Mohoje / Siya Kolisi / Nizaam Carr / Warren Whiteley 6. Marcell Coetzee / (same as 2 above) 5. Victor Matfield / Pieter-Steph Du Toit 4. Eben Etzebeth / Flip vd Merwe 3. Jannie Du Plessis / Coenie Oosthuizen 2. Same as mine 1. Beast Mtawarira / Trevor Nyakane As 5th prop they will take Kitshoff, if there is a 6th Frans Malherbe. As a 3rd hooker I reckon they will call up Schalk Brits. As those 5th and 6th loosies they have to choose amongst those above. I reckon it will be Kolisi and Carr. Mohoje has no form and lost favour. Whiteley will be a shock inclusion. Don't exclude Spies. The 3 scrumhalves ought to be Pienaar, Du Preez and Hougaard. 2 Fly halves as is, the 3rd option will be Willie Le Roux and in emergency they will call up Morne Steyn. Centres as is, but sadly without Frans Steyn. So JdV, DdA, Serfontein. JP Peterson will cover as an extra 13 unless they take JJ Engelbrecht or recall Jacques Fourie, but I don't foresee this. Outbacks might see the inclusion of Cornall Hendricks again, but this is doubtful, especially if Hougaard features seeing as he was solid at wing. Lambie and Mvovo will be stand in full backs in case of injury.
I mean this 10% as a joke and 90% seriously. If Morne Steyn is looking like he will be the starting 10 going into the world cup then I hope that the IRB revokes South africa's invitation. Anyone must be better than him. Even that bloke with the hard to spell name from the stormers should get a game before yesterday's news Morne Steyn. He single handedly set back world rugby by 10 years in its development as a game. That last sentence I will defend forever. The game would have evolved more had he not be around to stagnate it. Most negative player I have ever ever encountered.
Remember the Saf Fafrican philosophy about "experience", hence I am saying that should there be any injuries, they will turn to him. Pollard and Lambie will be 1 and 2, with Pienaar and maybe Le Roux as immediate back up, but when the shitteth is gonna hitteth the faneth, they will revert back to him.
I would go 9 White 10 Foley 12 Beale (where is he) 13 Kuridrani 11 Tomane 14 speight if eligible 15 Folau Giteau will be rusty as Big difference between French rugby and International rugby. No point picking him this close to the world cup. Doesn't have enough time to build form. IMHO
Beale has been injured and tbh hasn't been that great anyway. Still a good player that has shown his worth over the years. Definitely prefer White over Phipps. Phipps will be a good impact player for the Aussies at the WC. I also really hope Giteau doesn't get much game time - sorta kicks the loyal boys in the balls a bit.