AB - backline for 2015

[Siva Tau]

9 - Mathewson

10 - Carter

11 - Ranger

12 - SBW

13 - Kahui

14 - Jane

15 - Dagg

This immediately springs to mind along with Freuen. Who else could go into the mix looking ahead.

 

[nickdnz]

Lol, I doubt SBW will be around till then and Jane will be 32. Carter make make it at 33 years old.

I wouldn't mind seeing Tim Nanai-Williams get a look in but can't see him displacing Dagg atm, and I'm not a huge fan of him on the wing. It certainly will be interesting.

Aaron Smith looks like a potential All Black halfback as well.

 

[Siva Tau]

thats the reason I ask, I really dont know juyst throwin round some names. Forwards will be interesting Hika Elliot is a must and I can see big Charlie Faumuina charging around and damaging in scrums.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Full team from me:
1 Toby Smith
2 Hika Elliot
3 Owen Franks
4 Jared Hoeata
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Victor Vito
7 Sam Cane
8 Kieran Read
9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10 Aaron Cruden
11 Zac Guildford
12 Richard Kahui
13 Robbie Freuan
14 Tim Nanai-Williams
15 Israel Dagg

 

[William18]

9 - Kerr-Barlow
10 - Cruden (in reality any young first five could come through)
11 -
12 - Carter
13 - Freuan
14 -
15 - Dagg

I won't even bother with the wingers. As you saw this year the wingers will always be the last spots to be decided unless there are real standouts.

 

[ABs2011]

Its impossible to tell really so the more pertinent question is to ask about the young talent coming through. Some of these have already been mentioned but:

Aaron Smith
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Beauden Barrett
Aaron Cruden
Colin Slade
Robbie Fruean
SBW (if he plays 4 more years of Rugby he will be massive - personally dont think he's great yet though)
Tim Nanai-Williams
Andre Taylor
Zac Guildford
Israel Dagg

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm guessing most of these guys are 24 or under (SBW is 26) so they will be much improved in 4 years and should be in their prime! NZ is well equipt to defend their ***le in 2015.

Add to this list the guys who could well still be around to add more class and experience (2015 age in brackets):

Andrew Ellis (31)
Dan Carter (33)
Ma'a Nonu (33)
Conrad Smith (34)
Richard Kahui (30)
Corey Jane (32)
Isaia Toeava (29)
Hosea Gear (31)

I think we are looking pretty good.

 

[ranger]

One interesting possibility is moving Kaino to lock to take up Brad Thorns role, leaving the 6 jersey open to Vito, Thompson, Messam, Luke Whitelock, Brad Shields, TJ Ione or even Richie McCaw who could lengthen his career by moving to 6.

Kaino has always been one of the top lineout targets in both the Blues and the All Blacks and he is the same height as Thorn. We are really going to miss Thorns aggressive presence, strength in the scrum, short gain running and work at the rucks. Beyond Hoeata i can't see any other established lock who would be able to undertake that role, so Kaino looks like a decent option.

 

[james5000]

Although there is some merit in switching Kaino he would have to make the switch ASAP and he would have to do it at all levels to be successful. I can't see the Blues moving him tbh, not with the likes of Boric, Moli and Williams in their squad. Potentially Boric or Moli could step up and push Hoeata next season. Boric's pretty underrated imo, he's got a physical presence and he's a solid line out option, I think he will be the 2012 go to man.

For 2015 Brodie Retallick must be up high on the list, he has a lot of hype going on, he's a unit and he's going to have four good years to prove himself. He'd be better off going to the Crusaders probably, just to learn from the best.

I think Charles Piutau will be an All Black in the near future (Next 2-3 years), I wont predict great things but I think he'll get an opportunity. Haven't seen much of him, but from what I have seen he is a very good prospect, the best of his age group in the outside backs.

 

[ranger]

You would think so, but then Hoeata is seen as a lock now and he still plays club rugby and ITM cup at 6. He only really started playing any lock this year for the Highlanders. I think its something to try out on an end of year tour or something to see how it goes, couldn't hurt too much.

As for Piutau, he showed a whole lot of attacking flair, but Savea was more impressive for the Under 20s and has been found out when matched up against guys his size. I think Piutau may have the same problem adjusting for the next couple of years but we will see.

The biggest dilemma is going to be with Toby Smith, deciding whether to focus on 1, 3 or trying to cover both.

 

[james5000]

You would think so, but then Hoeata is seen as a lock now and he still plays club rugby and ITM cup at 6. He only really started playing any lock this year for the Highlanders. I think its something to try out on an end of year tour or something to see how it goes, couldn't hurt too much.

As for Piutau, he showed a whole lot of attacking flair, but Savea was more impressive for the Under 20s and has been found out when matched up against guys his size. I think Piutau may have the same problem adjusting for the next couple of years but we will see.

The biggest dilemma is going to be with Toby Smith, deciding whether to focus on 1, 3 or trying to cover both.

Yeah this could be the case, I hope it isn't. Piutau looks a bit quicker than Savea, and I don't think he relies on size as much. I am hoping he can step up, he looks pretty electric to me. He might not be the finished product but I think he's still only 19.

Is Toby Smith really that good? I haven't been that impressed with him. I think his best bet would be to focus on Loose head, but have versatility to cover both. Owen Franks will not be bested by him that's for sure. (I'm no expert though, lived my whole life sitting on the wing haha)

*I don't think Hoeata will play any 6 for the Highlanders in 2012, I think he probably realizes the best opportunity for him for higher honours is at lock, he must want to stay there, and I am sure Jamie Joseph realizes this too. It will take a ton of injuries for him to play 6 next year.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I forgot about Brad Shields - from what I saw of him playing for Wellington he was immense.

Boric is a similar kind of player to Thorn, but not as much of an enforcer as Brad is... I guess that's what's good about Hoeata, long as he doesn't go get carded or anything stupid.

 

[Icemn]

Its impossible to tell really so the more pertinent question is to ask about the young talent coming through. Some of these have already been mentioned but:

Aaron Smith
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Beauden Barrett
Aaron Cruden
Colin Slade
Robbie Fruean
SBW (if he plays 4 more years of Rugby he will be massive - personally dont think he's great yet though)
Tim Nanai-Williams
Andre Taylor
Zac Guildford
Israel Dagg

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm guessing most of these guys are 24 or under (SBW is 26) so they will be much improved in 4 years and should be in their prime! NZ is well equipt to defend their ***le in 2015.

Add to this list the guys who could well still be around to add more class and experience (2015 age in brackets):

Andrew Ellis (31)
Dan Carter (33)
Ma'a Nonu (33)
Conrad Smith (34)
Richard Kahui (30)
Corey Jane (32)
Isaia Toeava (29)
Hosea Gear (31)

I think we are looking pretty good.

yip, the key is to mix youth with "experience"... no use you have a team of 15 with vast experience... but they can't keep up with the pace...
i feel the game is evolving and is more sutable for the younger player..or the youngers players hit their form earlier..that the avg 28 year old...

Ben Smith
Toeava
Todd
andre taylor

will be a huge factors come 2015 if feel.. :?

 

[Dizzy]

I think most of us are forgetting about Frueans pigvalve in his heart... I don't think he'll be playing at the next World Cup..

I think it'll be

Mathewson
Cruden
Savea
Kahui
Ranger
Guildford
Dagg

 

[nickdnz]

I think most of us are forgetting about Frueans pigvalve in his heart... I don't think he'll be playing at the next World Cup..

I think it'll be

Mathewson
Cruden
Savea
Kahui
Ranger
Guildford
Dagg

I wouldn't be suprised to see Fruean there, even with his heart I think he could probably play till 30. If he ran the risk of it failing early because of rugby, I can't see him being allowed to play.

 

[Dizzy]

It's not that, It's just that I think it would strongly limit his playing abilities in four years time and he won't be as destructive as he is now, especially with the opportunity for young up and comers to make their mark.

 

[lance2010]

9 - Kerr-Barlow
10 - Cruden (in reality any young first five could come through)
11 -
12 - Carter
13 - Freuan
14 -
15 - Dagg

I won't even bother with the wingers. As you saw this year the wingers will always be the last spots to be decided unless there are real standouts.

9.Kerr-Barlow
10.Cruden
11.Zac Guilford
12.Robbie Freuan (I can see him playing 2nd five)
13.Rene ranger
14.Gillies Kaka
15.Israel Dagg

 

[William18]

I can't believe people think Savea will ever make the All Blacks. I mean Gear is a great finisher, has the pace and all the skills and still couldn't make it. Why? Because he was not a wing/fullback who could kick and was excellent under the high ball. Savea is far worse at these skills than Gear and I doubt he will ever master them. He's lucky Henry is no longer the coach because he would not get a look in. If Hansen is the coach in 2015 and looks for the same things in his wings as does Henry then he has no chance. Imagine if we had Savea instead of Jane on the wing against Australia.

 

[lance2010]

I can't believe people think Savea will ever make the All Blacks. I mean Gear is a great finisher, has the pace and all the skills and still couldn't make it. Why? Because he was not a wing/fullback who could kick and was excellent under the high ball. Savea is far worse at these skills than Gear and I doubt he will ever master them. He's lucky Henry is no longer the coach because he would not get a look in. If Hansen is the coach in 2015 and looks for the same things in his wings as does Henry then he has no chance. Imagine if we had Savea instead of Jane on the wing against Australia.

Your right bro Savea has to up his game alot more,i would have Gillies Kaka over Savea.

 

[Dizzy]

Bro, alot can change in four years time. And Savea has loads of potential, he was the U20's Player of the Year. And as much as I love watching Gillies, he also needs to up his game. I play against him in the Hawkes Bay Premier Club Competition and he is a phenomenon, I watch him play for Hawkes Bay and he is alot less effective than at Club level, trust me. He shows glimpses of his great skill, "glimpses" but not what he is capable of, which is the same as Savea except he is playing at a higher level. And Gillies may not make the ascension to Super Rugby just yet, where as Savea has. Not that Savea has shown as much of his talents either but in four years time alot can change so who knows.

 

[lance2010]

Bro, alot can change in four years time. And Savea has loads of potential, he was the U20's Player of the Year. And as much as I love watching Gillies, he also needs to up his game. I play against him in the Hawkes Bay Premier Club Competition and he is a phenomenon, I watch him play for Hawkes Bay and he is alot less effective than at Club level, trust me. He shows glimpses of his great skill, "glimpses" but not what he is capable of, which is the same as Savea except he is playing at a higher level. And Gillies may not make the ascension to Super Rugby just yet, where as Savea has. Not that Savea has shown as much of his talents either but in four years time alot can change so who knows.

True that what club do you play for??? Is Gillies still playing for Have's??? I'm from the Bay so i love seeing the Hawkes Bay boys excel..