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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 431298" data-attributes="member: 43875">big difference between what NZ are doing now compared to what SA did apart from the fact NZ have been honest about it. NZ have still sent ~24 players from their top squad of ~35 - only one player was taken into the squad to make up for a rested player. Even if carter n' co. did make the trip they would have only made the bench at best anyway because some key players need to be given a run before the world cup Slade needs to be given a start to get used to a pressure game and test his goal kicking. Messam needs gametime after not really getting much of a chance so far and Thompson needs a proper trial at 7 to make sure he's the backup for McCaw, Dagg & Toeava need gametime too - they are likely to make the WC squad but haven't had test rugby this year.I still think this NZ side still has a good chance of winning this game, it's a quality side. their may only be about 3-4 players at most in this squad of 24 that don't make New Zealands World cups squad. and that will depend on how they play in this game compared to how well the other options went in other games.Side could be something like this:1, Woodcock2, Mealamu (C)3, John Afoa4, Ali Williams5, Sam Whitelock6, Jerome Kaino7, Adam Thompson8, Liam Messam9, Jimmy Cowan10, Colin Slade11, Hosea Gear12, Sonny Bill Williams13, Richard Kahui14, Cory Jane15, Israel Dagg16, Hore17, Ben franks18, Jared hoeata19, Victor Vito20, Piri Weepu21, Isaia Toeava22, Ma'a NonuVery good team, biggest problem is lack of combinations that have been devaloped from the first two tests. Apart from that most of the players that have come in are just as strong as the ones that have been left behind and SA should be worried because for many of them their WC selection chances hinge on how well they play. I'd say 8-11 of these guys need big games to make sure of WC selection.</blockquote>

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