All Blacks Training camp for this week

[Larksea]

missing Blues and Crusaders players but still interesting and does go a long way to answer the big question. Who will backup Dan Carter?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5176162/Colin-Slade-included-in-All-Blacks-camp

Chiefs: Ben Afeaki, Hikawera Elliot, Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Hurricanes: Aaron Cruden, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito and Piri Weepu.

Highlanders: Jimmy Cowan, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, Colin Slade, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.

Injured players: Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock.

The main talking point is obviously about players that aren't included as they are likely not in selection frame for when the main squad is named. Stephen Donald and Jamie MacIntosh will miss out.

Good to see Colin Slade included.

But being included doesn't say much, I'd say more than Half these guys wont make the squad with blues and crusaders players included come july 10.

Dagg & Toeava being included even though he's injured also suggests that he will make the squad.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Praise the lord that they have finally seen what everyone else can with Donald. The magical words from Henry "he isn't likely to be included" were like music to my ears.

Sort of don't want Cruden in the Tri Nations though, the Turbos will be screwed without him.

 

[antipodean]

Surprised they bothered with Leonard. Thankful Donald isn't there.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

How about Tony Brown!?

 

[DorceOutSide]

How about Tony Brown!?

how about no he's ****.

 

[Sneaki]

Not really any major surprises there I don't think. Will be interesting to see who gets the job of being Carter's backup in the Tri-Nations, the squad's being named on the 10th of July it says in that article.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Good to see Kahui in the squad, didn't expect it as I heard he suffered a slight neck injury last weekend

 

[antipodean]

Good to see Kahui in the squad, didn't expect it as I heard he suffered a slight neck injury last weekend

Agreed. Big fan of Kahui when he's fit. Strong in attack, destructive in defence. Excellent player.

 

[nickdnz]

Ben Afeaki is the only real suprise in that training squad. Certianly wouldn't have thought he was anywhere near selection. I guess it's as much of a development thing.

In terms of Donald not being selected, I think it may also have something to do with him signing for Bath where as Slade and Cruden are both staying in NZ.

 

[mosa62]

finally donald is not picked.
cruden i think he's still young, hasnt had much experience with the all blacks that much<_<

 

[Tadginator]

I HATE Donald , he is a piece of **** but he was always picked ahead of mcalister, finally he is gone, I am happy now

 

[Tadginator]

Messam should start for the all blacks in the world cup, he is a beast and is very skilled and athletic

 

[superprop]

I HATE Donald , he is a piece of **** but he was always picked ahead of mcalister, finally he is gone, I am happy now

Oh you're making one of your guest appearences.

 

[Larksea]

Messam has had an amasing season. Though he was still good he did slow down a bit towards the end but even in his last game he made a couple of trademark runs and his usual high workrate. Did seem to me like he was showing some effects of the fact he's played every minute of every game this season.

He was chiefs player of the year last season and in my view he is that again all his stats have imoroved again this year and his penalty count has gone down too. I think it would be great to see him get a start along side McCaw and Read. Though Kaino hasn't been bad and will retain that role I think as long as he keeps it up. Though he hasn't been as good as Messam over the whole season all he needs is a couple of good games at the end to retain his position as the number one blindside.

one other potential change in pecking order may be Hika Elliot up to #2 hooker

he had a great EoY tour and a real strength of his is his lineout throwing which has been very good for the chiefs. Hore and Mealamu are both great hookers but their lineout throwing is somewhat inconsistant. And I'd say not as good as hika's.

I see lineout throwing as a weakness in NZ rugby and Hika as a bit of an exception. He's actually very good.

Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata are also interesting prospects.

Donnelly hasn't been used much by the Highlanders but he was so critical to the All Blacks revival in late 2009 and 2010 and proved during that time he can foot it in test rugby and his selection during that time was critical to turning around the All Blacks fortunes in the lineouts after a series of shocking lineout displays against South Africa in particular were the single greatest reason NZ lost the 2009 Tri Nations.

AB selectors are known for their loyalty and it's had a track record of paying off for them.

Hoeata sprang up from the last ITM cup and became a top performer for the highlanders this season. He's one of the top defenders in the whole super competition and he's equally good at lock or 6 and can take the ball up hard and put the hurt on oposition defense. he has a genuine chance of being a bolter.

But the reality is NZ's top 4-5 locks are involved in the super finals so chances are slim.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Agree with all 3 of those summations Larksea. I think Mealamu should lock down the starting role and the other two will have a good battle for the back up spot. If Elliot can get his body position down (which he has improved a lot) he could become a great pick and go weapon like Mealamu.

Messam is an interesting one, he has been in great touch all season, as has Adam Thomson. I'd like to see them both in the squad as both can cover 3 positions (Thomson more of a 7 than Messam).

Hoeata will be the Brad Thorn successor in future seasons I hope. Hard nosed defender and works all game.

 

[ranger]

Agree with all 3 of those summations Larksea. I think Mealamu should lock down the starting role and the other two will have a good battle for the back up spot. If Elliot can get his body position down (which he has improved a lot) he could become a great pick and go weapon like Mealamu.

Messam is an interesting one, he has been in great touch all season, as has Adam Thomson. I'd like to see them both in the squad as both can cover 3 positions (Thomson more of a 7 than Messam).

Hoeata will be the Brad Thorn successor in future seasons I hope. Hard nosed defender and works all game.

Both of them are horrible 7s.. its one or the other i say, we need a specialist 7 reserve. Todd, Braid, Latimer, Waldrom, even the other Braid or Sam Cane at a gamble would be a better option.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Latimer is pedestrian, Waldrom is ok and Braid is definitely second rate. The young guys are good prospects no more. Thomson is a better 7 than any of them.

 

[ranger]

Latimer is pedestrian, Waldrom is ok and Braid is definitely second rate. The young guys are good prospects no more. Thomson is a better 7 than any of them.

Thompson plays like he would be able to cover 7, but he has never had a good game in the 7 jersey. Even the Highlander fans admit to that. At least Braid has shown he is capable of playing 7

 

[Amobokoboko]

I fully agree, but I do hope Messam gets some game time during the Tri Nations RWC.

 

[psychic duck]

Messam should start for the all blacks in the world cup, he is a beast and is very skilled and athletic

Messam is good, but it's a bit harsh to drop Kaino or Read who did really well for the All Blacks in 2010