RWC veterans to be dumped.

OK, we have a thread on bolters. How about the other end of the spectrum?

1987 saw Mark Shaw and Gary Knight axed (off the top of my head), . 2011, Sivivatu and Rokocoko. 2019, Owen Franks. And I'm sure there were many more, I just can't be arsed looking them up.

Soooooo, who do ya reckon?

CANDIDATES...? I'll get this started.
Sam Cane? Still has zero ball running chops, tackles like a 6 all day, but that's it.
Dane Coles? If he's not injured, he's just recovered from injury or is about to be injured. Spends more time on physio table then on the field.

Who else?

Coles for sure.
Foster will stay loyal to Cane but may leave him out of the pointy end if we make it that far.
Akira may not fall into the category of veteran but I think he is very much at risk. I feel they are still searching for the right loose forward combination.

@Crucial said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

Akira may not fall into the category of veteran but I think he is very much at risk

Yes he's got to be gone. Not even a flat track bully anymore, just vanishes when the hard work is needed!

I suspect a large number of players will call it a day after RWC2023. Cane, Whitelock, BBBR, Coles, Smith, BB, TJP will likely call it quits.

Without digging into which player is signed-up until when, Wouldn't at all be surprised to see the likes of Ardie, Akira, Mo'unga, Havilli, Caleb Clarke - and maybe even Jordie and Reiko - head off to pastures new or sabbaticals after 2023/4.

Coles can count himself very lucky if he is involved

A Ioane also (although not really a veteran)

Not many options otherwise but Nepo Laulala? Hasn't offered much for the Abs.

David Havili shouldn't be there (Again not really a veteran tho)

I'd be looking at the props, one of Laulala or Ofa especially.

@Bovidae said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

I'd be looking at the props, one of Laulala or Ofa especially.

They are fucking Ofa’s chances more by playing him at LH, unless they’ve been directed to.

Bower did ok on the TH last week as a last resort, so we may not need Ofa to switch around.

Edit: and Laulala has been on borrowed time for ages, he should be down the road.

Laulala and Havili are the two that stand out as not good enough
Coles has just too many miles in the clock

Cane is actually playing excellent code at the moment, but I still prefer DP I think. Can you take the ex-captain as a squad guy

Stupidly I expect every player in this post to make the squad

@gt12 said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

They are fucking Ofa’s chances more by playing him at LH, unless they’ve been directed to.

He's back to TH this week for the Blues.

Ofa has never been convincing at LH for the ABs. If Newell is fit, and Moody is selected again, there is only room for 2 other props amongst 3 (Bower being the other).

@mariner4life said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

Cane is actually playing excellent code at the moment, but I still prefer DP I think. Can you take the ex-captain as a squad guy

Cane, Papali’i and Blackadder play a similar role. Blackadders best position at Test level is 7. He played a lot at 7 last year for the Crusaders and if everyone was fit I think that’s where he’d be in this years SR too

You’re right, Cane’s in decent form, but he’s third out of those three so could get squeezed out

@Duluth if we had a big mean cunt with a bit of leg speed to play 6 we could have a loose forward trio for the ages

@Duluth Blackadder's main position is not 7. He only played there for the Crusaders because Christie was injured and because they had Matera at 6 (when Grace returned from injury). He's mainly a 6, who can easily slot in at 7 and also plays at 8.

@Stargazer

I didn’t say his main position is 7. I said he plays the same role as Cane & Papali’i and that I think he’s best position at Test level is 7

(also with everyone fit the Crusaders best trio is Blackadder, Grace, Gardiner IMO)

@Duluth

You said:

He played a lot at 7 last year for the Crusaders and if everyone was fit I think that’s where he’d be in this years SR too.

I think you're wrong. Blackadder is the first choice 6 for the Crusaders. Christie the first choice 7. Grace the first choice 8.

@Stargazer

Gardiner > Christie after the EOYT

But there’s been injuries so it’s moot

In addition to the above;

Could see the following in trouble:

S Frizell (if Blackadder is the starting 6 Frizell may be at risk).

Goodhue

Tuipulotu

Back on topic, at wing is Reece's position a little under threat, as perhaps Clarke (although he is too young I guess to be a veteran at 22 he has already played 25 games!)

Another question mark is Taylor but at 31 and given the pups around I guess he has a few more years left.

RTS will probably not make the RWC squad. Should never have been capped.

@KiwiMurph said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

Could see the following in trouble:
S Frizell (if Blackadder is the starting 6 Frizell may be at risk).

Blackadder and MMT?

@mariner4life said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

@Duluth if we had a big mean cunt with a bit of leg speed to play 6 we could have a loose forward trio for the ages

Unfortunately these types are rare. Have to hope one emerges in the next WC cycle.