2011 RWC - Any bolters for the All Blacks and Who will miss out?

[nickdnz]

9. Weepu
10. Carter
11. Guildford
12. Nonu
13. Williams? Would he be of use here?
14. Gear
15. Muliaina

SBW hasn't looked very promising at centre plus Conrad Smith is one of best centres in the world (if not the best). Gear doesn't play right wing but Guildford can.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Fishing much?

Fishing is only fun if people take the bait

 

[DorceOutSide]

Will there be any bolters to make this All Black World Cup squad and who is likly to miss out on selection?

Young Matt Todd of the Crusaders has impressed but it will be hard to oust Daniel Braid as McCaw's backup.

My money is on Robert Fruean ...though I have mentioned in the past, he will likely miss out to make room for SBW as was the case on the 2010 EOYT when it was Fruean who truly deserved a spot.

There's going to be some dissapointed backs come the world cup, especially those playing outside the First Five position.

Ma' Nonu, Conrad Smith, SBW, Robert Fruean, Richard Kahui, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Rene Ranger, Israel Dagg, Joe Rokokoko, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister and Benson Stanley. So many to chose from, someone has to miss out.

Alby Matthewson? Hika Elliot? Slade, Donald or Cruden? Donnelly, Williams, Whitelock, Boric? Thompson, Messam, Braid, Vito or maybe Latimer?

I've chosen my 1st and 2nd XV's below. That would be my squad selection.

New Zealand 1st XV

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Kevin Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Piri Weepu
10. Dan Carter
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane
15. Mils Muliaina

New Zealand 2nd XV

1. Ben Franks
2. Andrew Hore
3. John Afoa
4. Tom Donnelly
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Adam Thompson
7. Daniel Braid
8. Liam Messam
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Colin Slade
11. Hosea Gear
12. Richard Kahui / Sonny Bill Williams
13. Robert Fruean / Richard Kahui
14. Rene Ranger
15. Israel Dagg

sivivatu is'nt going to start ahead of hosea gear who is on hot form.

 

[DorceOutSide]

9. Weepu
10. Carter
11. Guildford
12. Nonu
13. Williams? Would he be of use here?
14. Gear
15. Muliaina

id like to see a back line like that but it aint gonna happen it will be somthing more like this.

9.cowan
10.carter
11.gear
12.nonu
13.smith
14.jane although sivivatu could force his way in there during the wc.
15.muliania

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Course a few Oz players are NZers too

JO'C, Quade Cooper, possibly Mike Harris.

And I'm sure a number are of from other countries too, Genia, for instance?

 

[superprop]

Course a few Oz players are NZers too

JO'C, Quade Cooper, possibly Mike Harris.

And I'm sure a number are of from other countries too, Genia, for instance?

Yeah Papua New Guinea and Pocock is Zimbawean.

 

[lance2010]

Anyone with Samoan heritage who hasn't got 1 cap for the AB's yet, because it would be terrible if Samoa could actually use their players.

Faifili Levave,Fritz Lee,Robbie Freuan,julian Savea.

 

[FlukeArtist]

:

Cowan (On current fit[fat]ness of Weepu)
Carter
Gear
Nonu
Smith
Toeava
Muliaina

Bench:
Weepu
Slade
Dagg
Smith

 

[dan the man]

Based on form;
Adam Thomson has to be on the bench with Messam and Vito to contest for the reserves (likely to be Messam)
Cruden is definitely putting his hand up, his goalkicking is at 79% this season and his running game is improving all the time
Ben Smith has been fantastic at Fullback and with Toeava and Dagg injured he's definitely in the mix
Richard Kahui has been playing great (which he always does when he's actually fit)
Jamie MacIntosh could get another shot in the Black Jersey, he's a real workhorse and has matured massively over the past couple of years
Hika Elliot should get the job as the third Hooker although Rutledge is pushing his case well
Sadly Andy Ellis or Alby Mathewson will miss out... they've both been playing very well but i cant see the selectors not going with Weepu and Cowan so there is only one spot left.

My AB's RWC squad would look something like this:

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kiano
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Piri Weepu
10. Dan Carter
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane
15. Mils Muliaina

16. Andrew Hore
17. Ben Franks
18. Anthony Boric
19. Adam Thomson
20. Jimmy Cowam
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Israel Dagg

R. Hika Elliot
R. Jamie MacIntosh
R. Tom Donnelly
R. Victor Vito
R. Andy Ellis
R. Colin Slade
R. Sonny Bill Williams
R. Ben Smith

 

[FlukeArtist]

Agree with a lot of things Dan but,

MacKintosh is a cream puff for such a big guy. He should be dominating. But all too often he gets shoved around in scrums (he is another Tialata)
Donnelly is a good player, but i'd have Williams on cuurent form (as well as on historical form)

Cruden isn't ready for international level

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I find it funny you guys would have Cruden ahead of Slade.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I find it funny you guys would have Cruden ahead of Slade.

I guess because Slade has been out for more or less the whole season and Cruden is really shining at the moment

and Dan, Piri over jimmy and Ben not even on the becn....and you call yourself a highlanders supporter

I could name at least ten outside backs I would rather have in my squad than Ben Smith. Besides, excluding mine and your posts Ben Smith's name has only actually been mentioned three times in this thread. You might not be suprised to see him in there but I think I, and most New Zealanders, would be.

I think we're all waiting for this magical ten to be named

 

[Darwin]

Based on form;
Adam Thomson has to be on the bench with Messam and Vito to contest for the reserves (likely to be Messam)
Cruden is definitely putting his hand up, his goalkicking is at 79% this season and his running game is improving all the time
Ben Smith has been fantastic at Fullback and with Toeava and Dagg injured he's definitely in the mix
Richard Kahui has been playing great (which he always does when he's actually fit)
Jamie MacIntosh could get another shot in the Black Jersey, he's a real workhorse and has matured massively over the past couple of years
Hika Elliot should get the job as the third Hooker although Rutledge is pushing his case well
Sadly Andy Ellis or Alby Mathewson will miss out... they've both been playing very well but i cant see the selectors not going with Weepu and Cowan so there is only one spot left.

My AB's RWC squad would look something like this:

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kiano
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Piri Weepu
10. Dan Carter
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane
15. Mils Muliaina

16. Andrew Hore
17. Ben Franks
18. Anthony Boric
19. Adam Thomson
20. Jimmy Cowam
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Israel Dagg

R. Hika Elliot
R. Jamie MacIntosh
R. Tom Donnelly
R. Victor Vito
R. Andy Ellis
R. Colin Slade
R. Sonny Bill Williams
R. Ben Smith

I agree with most of that squad. There are a few things I would note though:

- I agree with FlukeArtist, MacIntosh should be nowhere near the squad. He has a huge workrate, but his scrummaging is hopeless; the Highlanders scrum has been dominated most weeks. I can't see the AB's selectors taking two specialist loosehead props, but if the did I'd imagine Wyatt Crockett would be a long way ahead of MacIntosh.

- Liam Messem has to be in the squad, as in my opinion he has been consistently the best NZ loose-forward throughout the Super Rugby season. He has a huge workrate, is powerful with the ball in hand, and has a low error rate (which is the biggest improvement in his game this season). I'm not at all convinced about Thomson; he has a big work rate and can be good at the ruck, but I'm sure that his game is suited for test rugby. He runs very unright, and can often be driven back in the tackle; a good example of this was when he was driven into touch by David Smith (a notoriously poor defender) due to him running upright, when all he had to do was drop his shoulder and crash over for the try. Thomson is also guilty of giving away some silly penalties at times, which could cost the AB's. I suspect the AB's selectors will pick him (as well as Messem), but personally I'd prefer if they picked a specialist 7 (Matt Todd), though would also consider including Vito.

- I'm pretty sure they will only take two first-fives (as they did on last years EOYT). Cruden has certainly shown some strong form over recent weeks, but I personally think he's still a year or so away from being ready for test rugby. At this stage of the season it is still probably a four way race between Cruden, Donald, MacAlister, and Slade for the job of Carter's backup (I'd prefer Slade, but suspect McAlister may be taken).

- The back three is still the most open area for me; in my estimation there are 7-8 players contending for 2-3 spots!

 

[DallyM]

are Rokocoko and Sitiveni any chance of appearing in the cup or have the younger players like jane and gear overtaken them?

 

[Darwin]

are Rokocoko and Sitiveni any chance of appearing in the cup or have the younger players like jane and gear overtaken them?

Both have a chance of making it, though I'd say Rokocoko would be very lucky to be selected (incidentally Jane is not really a 'younger player' - he is actually older than Rokocoko ).

 

[nickdnz]

Both have a chance of making it, though I'd say Rokocoko would be very lucky to be selected (incidentally Jane is not really a 'younger player' - he is actually older than Rokocoko ).

And Hosea Gear is about 9 months younger than Rokocoko.

 

[DJRonStar]

I'd say after watching Sivivatu in his last two games, he'd be my first choice winger and I'm sure the three wise men will be all smiles. He's showing good form at just the right time and again showed last week why he is regarded as world class. His work rate was up and he seems to have that ability of beating defenders effortless.

I was also impressed with Luke Braid. I thought he got the better of Todd in the Blues vs Crusaders match. Poor Daniel will have to look for another franchise otherwise he'll be back up to his younger brother. Ali Williams was another to impress. He's second to none in NZ when it comes to lineout jumping and must stole the ball off his opposite Sam Whitelock at least 3 times. He's starting to show form at the right time as well. My pick of the forwards was Charlie Faumuina! A beast and will definitely be an AB in the future. How but that charge on Owen Franks to score his try. Priceless!! Not many players get through Owen Franks in that manner.

I'm going to disagree with you Darwin on a few selections and I'll tell you why.

John Afoa - He will start off the bench. His scrummaging has improved immensely and he can play both sides of the scrum. He also is our a better ball carrying prop than both Franks brothers. Jamie MacIntosh will miss the cut.

Ali Williams - As quoted, he is finding form at the right time. He's our best lineout jumper and his experience is invaluable. Tom Donnely to miss the cut.

Isaia Toeava - How could you not have him in the squad?? Love him or hate him he is one guy, along with Nonu who could break a game open from anywhere. He will be coming off the bench because he can play in the centers or the back three. Ben Smith to miss the cut.

Otherwise I agree with you on the rest....

 

[Darwin]

I'd say after watching Sivivatu in his last two games, he'd be my first choice winger and I'm sure the three wise men will be all smiles. He's showing good form at just the right time and again showed last week why he is regarded as world class. His work rate was up and he seems to have that ability of beating defenders effortless.

I was also impressed with Luke Braid. I thought he got the better of Todd in the Blues vs Crusaders match. Poor Daniel will have to look for another franchise otherwise he'll be back up to his younger brother. Ali Williams was another to impress. He's second to none in NZ when it comes to lineout jumping and must stole the ball off his opposite Sam Whitelock at least 3 times. He's starting to show form at the right time as well. My pick of the forwards was Charlie Faumuina! A beast and will definitely be an AB in the future. How but that charge on Owen Franks to score his try. Priceless!! Not many players get through Owen Franks in that manner.

I'm going to disagree with you Darwin on a few selections and I'll tell you why.

John Afoa - He will start off the bench. His scrummaging has improved immensely and he can play both sides of the scrum. He also is our a better ball carrying prop than both Franks brothers. Jamie MacIntosh will miss the cut.

Ali Williams - As quoted, he is finding form at the right time. He's our best lineout jumper and his experience is invaluable. Tom Donnely to miss the cut.

Isaia Toeava - How could you not have him in the squad?? Love him or hate him he is one guy, along with Nonu who could break a game open from anywhere. He will be coming off the bench because he can play in the centers or the back three. Ben Smith to miss the cut.

Otherwise I agree with you on the rest....

I think you will find that you are disagreeing with dan the man. To be fair we are the only two people who support the Highlanders, so we are perhaps easy to confuse

 

[DJRonStar]

My apologies Darwin. I was referring to the thread posted by Dan the Man

 

[Darwin]

My apologies Darwin. I was referring to the thread posted by Dan the Man

No worries. Incidentally, I agree entirely what you have written... you could say I couldn't disagree with you less