All Black Squad named

[ranger]

As a South African supporter, I am so glad that SBW did not get a chance to start with Robbie Fruean (1.9m , 110kg) and play with Carter in the build up to the WC coz they were a formidable combination. This has resulted in two things. SA do not have to face SBW coz he is almost certainly only going to be used as an impact player against SA with Nonu starting. Fruean has been totally overlooked, thank goodness.

South Africa are also fortunate not having to face Hosea Gear (6ft.2 & 100kg), Rokocoko (6ft.2 & 104kg) or Sivivatu (6ft,1 & 97kg) three giant, fast men.

Corey Jane and Zac Guildford are a lot smaller than them so won't be as much of a threat in my opinion. We will have to wait and see come RWC!

NZ still have a great team here and should go all the way and win this tourney but I don't feel they have selected their best team and I still feel if Carter gets injured Slade (Can't kick) is not the man to win the WC for NZ.

Size =/= A good player.

 

[Black Heart]

Just feel that Jane looked good against the 3rd string SA side that travelled to NZ in the Tri Nations and that the REAL SA side have proved that they can defend and hit players backwards in the tackle where size will count! It will also be easier for Brussouw to steal balls from the smaller backs.

Um, Jane played what? 9 minutes? He might have touched the ball once and dagg isn't exactly a big guy but he torn shreds out of the Boks' defence even though it ultimately didn't amount to anything. It was also a 2nd String All Blacks side so you can't really gauge anything from either tests.

Not judging Slade from one game. He is just not in the same league as Carter and Steyn when it comes to distance and accuracy!

Noone is in the same league as Carter and Steyn when it comes to distance and accuracy - and Steyn isn't in the same league as Carter for most other things. It was either goingt to be Slade or Cruden. Evidently they want Slade.

 

[Black Heart]

Why the f*** can I not edit my posts?

 

[Seaton]

It's a problem with this section of the forum, I vote they swap this section with a lesser used one, like general rugby or Sevens

Lol at Cory Jane less of a threat because of size

 

[Darwin]

I am not sure about Fruean's defense but it can't be too bad if he was player of the Junior IRB Rugby Tourny and Crusaders were second best defensive team in the S15 so he could not have been too bad there either.

You could assume that his defence is good based on this. Of you could simply watch him play a match and watch how poor his defence is.....

Just feel that Jane looked good against the 3rd string SA side that travelled to NZ in the Tri Nations and that the REAL SA side have proved that they can defend and hit players backwards in the tackle where size will count! It will also be easier for Brussouw to steal balls from the smaller backs.

Not judging Slade from one game. He is just not in the same league as Carter and Steyn when it comes to distance and accuracy!

In New Zealand we tend to pick players based on their rugby playing abilities, rather than their size... I know it is a strange concept, but it just the way we do things here... It has been pretty successful in the past, so I'm quite happy that we are continuing with this bizarre tradition.

 

[Black Heart]

In New Zealand we tend to pick players based on their rugby playing abilities, rather than their size... I know it is a strange concept, but it just the way we do things here... It has been pretty successful in the past, so I'm quite happy that we are continuing with this bizarre tradition.

:lol: Be kind.

 

[Black Heart]

It should probably be noted as well that most players who take Jane's size for granted usually get sat on their asses.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Forwards:

Hookers
Corey Flynn Canterbury (14)
Andrew Hore Taranaki (54)
Keven Mealamu Auckland (85)

Props
John Afoa Auckland (33)
Ben Franks Tasman (11)
Owen Franks Canterbury (23)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (75)

Locks
Anthony Boric North Harbour (20)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (51)
Samuel Whitelock Canterbury (17)
Ali Williams Auckland (65)

Loose forwards
Jerome Kaino Auckland (41)
Richie McCaw (capt) Canterbury (97)
Kieran Read Canterbury (31)
Adam Thomson Otago (21)
Victor Vito Wellington (7)


Backs:

Halfbacks
Jimmy Cowan Southland (47)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (20)
Piri Weepu Wellington (48)

First fiveâ€"eighths
Daniel Carter Canterbury (82)
Colin Slade Canterbury (5)

Midfielders
Richard Kahui Waikato (12)
Ma’a Nonu Wellington (58)
Conrad Smith Wellington (48)
Sonny Bill Williams Canterbury (7)

Outside backs
Israel Dagg Hawke’s Bay (7)
Zac Guildford Hawke’s Bay (6)
Cory Jane Wellington (24)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (97)
Isaia Toeava Auckland (31)

This squad =

 

[nickdnz]

This squad = View attachment 1153

Clever.

 

[UilamOsa]

I'm only really shocked about the omission of Messam. I know he has had some sub par performances in the test area at times but I thought he was one of our best against the Boks, (I'll probably get disagreed with there) but I actually thought he was the only one who showed any aggression or physicality at all and he worked his ass off all game (which is after all one of his strengths). About Woodcock, it would have been absurd to leave him out for Crockett, was never going to happen, despite a poor showing after coming back from a fairly long injury lay off.

I think when it came to the crunch, they needed some versatility in the loosies, specifically guys that can spend time in the lineouts. All the loosies are genuine lineout options bar Richie McCaw. I agree, I thought Messam had one of his best matches in a Black jersey especially against a better pack. But after watching the press conference and Re:union, it looks like the 3 Wise Men are banking on setpiece dominance (Boric for Hoeata) and then using their attacking options.

As for Woodcock (maybe it's my Blues bias) he should be match fit by the World Cup final.

And if you were to Bank your house on a scrum - and both Woodcock & Crockett playing at their very peak - who would you choose?

Tony "the myth" Woodcock would be my choice.

 

[Amobokoboko]

good picks, altho I'm not a Thompson fan.

 

[04perryo]

what do the numbers mean next to the name. Sorry if its been asked already

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Number of caps, I believe

 

[04perryo]

that would make sense

 

[nickdnz]

I think when it came to the crunch, they needed some versatility in the loosies, specifically guys that can spend time in the lineouts. All the loosies are genuine lineout options bar Richie McCaw. I agree, I thought Messam had one of his best matches in a Black jersey especially against a better pack. But after watching the press conference and Re:union, it looks like the 3 Wise Men are banking on setpiece dominance (Boric for Hoeata) and then using their attacking options.

As for Woodcock (maybe it's my Blues bias) he should be match fit by the World Cup final.

And if you were to Bank your house on a scrum - and both Woodcock & Crockett playing at their very peak - who would you choose?

Tony "the myth" Woodcock would be my choice.

Hmm, then Rokocoko should definetly be on the wing...

I'm a big Woodock fan, and 12 months ago I'd have said that despite his shakey form for the last couple of years, he'd be my starting RWC prop, but Crockett has been so dominant for the Crusaders, more so than any other prop, and Woodcock's return was hardly stellar. I just can't see how Hosea Gear missing out to Guildford was a selection on form according to Henry while Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric are just selected on faith. I wonder what they all have in common over some of the other players? Hmm.

 

[Icemn]

Well i would think that Henry has a plan.... the squad send out to Sa last week was part of his plan to experiment and see while in his mind I believe the WC squad has been selected long time ago.... it was just announced today....

Henry has not yet showed his hand... although many believe he has already... believe me GH is no idiot... and i believe in him....

The players that was selected will best suite his gameplan... i think the Ab first real test will be against France and that is what Henry will be focusing on....maybe a little bit on this weekend final 3N game...

Being a Hurricane fan i'm sad on the omission of GEAR i still feel he is the best winger in the world, but he is down on confidence... Henry even tried to up that by stating to the media that Gear is the world’s best winger.... but Gear is however included to a pool of backâ€"up players incl. Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith, Liam Messam,Wyatt Crockett and Jarrad Hoeata...

One of my concerns and which I believe was 1 of the reasons that the AB got knocked out of previous WC is that the side was changed to often in the pool stages.... the AB had too much depth and could change the side every game hence no momentum was build relationships / understanding / communication etc.... then come big matches they were reshuffled again and it fell apart....

While teams with no depth (and i’m probably going to get !@# now) like the current world champs *cough* were forced to play with 1 team, and only make a few changes each game.... hence they build momentum and could “park the bus†in the WC and take it game by game with a ugly win... killing rugby in the process... it’s actually sad that a team who kills the very sport it plays holds its biggest prize....

So I hope that GH allows momentum to be created this time around then just changing the whole team everytime....

The other concern I have is the weather....i'm in SA and winter is basically over going into Spring next month....what is the weather going to be like in NZ come next month??? winter??? rain??? wonder if Henry considered this??? but maybe it rains for the whole of the year in NZ, what do I know right the rain might play a huge part in how games are played..... the AB play running rugby but that is not always possible in rainy conditions, slippery ball etc :? just a though...

what do the numbers mean next to the name. Sorry if its been asked already

their age

 

[Rhyer]

I think when it came to the crunch, they needed some versatility in the loosies, specifically guys that can spend time in the lineouts. All the loosies are genuine lineout options bar Richie McCaw. I agree, I thought Messam had one of his best matches in a Black jersey especially against a better pack. But after watching the press conference and Re:union, it looks like the 3 Wise Men are banking on setpiece dominance (Boric for Hoeata) and then using their attacking options.

As for Woodcock (maybe it's my Blues bias) he should be match fit by the World Cup final.

And if you were to Bank your house on a scrum - and both Woodcock & Crockett playing at their very peak - who would you choose?

Tony "the myth" Woodcock would be my choice.

Woodcock is far past his peak though and Crockett is just in the process of getting to his best.

Put it this way... if I were to select a World XV that would play against another planet to save the world from utter destruction, I would feel safer with Crockett.

 

[Black Heart]

The other concern I have is the weather....i'm in SA and winter is basically over going into Spring next month....what is the weather going to be like in NZ come next month??? winter??? rain???

We've just had about 2 weeks of the worst Antartic chill to hit the country for years with snow even in downdown Auckland and now we're having about 2 weeks of pure sunshine.... so you're guess is as good as mine.

 

[Darwin]

Hmm, then Rokocoko should definetly be on the wing...

I'm a big Woodock fan, and 12 months ago I'd have said that despite his shakey form for the last couple of years, he'd be my starting RWC prop, but Crockett has been so dominant for the Crusaders, more so than any other prop, and Woodcock's return was hardly stellar.

I don't know the first thing about propping, but I think there are still some question-marks about Crockett's scrummaging at the top level. Rightly or wrongly he still gets penalised quite a lot at scrum time; he was penalised a few times vs Australia, and was the most penalised NZ prop during Super Rugby (being penalised 20 times). Though he isn't normally exposed at Super Rugby level, there is really a question mark as to how he will go against international props who scrummage differently, with international refs who interpret the scrum differently. Like you personally I would pick Crockett as he has been outstanding this year (and Woodcock has been average, at best, for about the last 12 months), but I've heard a number of ex-AB's props who aren't convinced of his scrummaging at the top level. Craig Dowd is one who make a lot of sense when he talks; he like Crockett was a very tall prop, so knows the difficulties that tall props can have.

I just can't see how Hosea Gear missing out to Guildford was a selection on form according to Henry while Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric are just selected on faith. I wonder what they all have in common over some of the other players? Hmm.

Boric had a great EOYT with the AB's last year, and was in my opinion the form New Zealand lock in Super Rugby - while he hasn't showed any form recently due to injury, he has been in great form this year, so deserves his spot. Like you, I think Williams has been poor (lineout work aside). The problem is that there is not really anyone showing great form to replace him. Hoeata is completely unproven at test level, and has a habit of getting penalised quite a bit. Having watched probably every Otago/Highlanders game this year I can say that Donnelly isn't the answer - I don't know what has happened to him, but he has been very poor this year. He's basically been the same as Ali Williams - great at the lineout, but his handling has been shocking, and he hasn't added anything else around the park. Josh Bekhuis is actually the Highlnders lock that I would have preferred to see involved, but it is far too late for that now. Not sure what Chris Jack is doing (he's not playing ITM Cup as far as I'm aware)?

Incidentally, listening to the AB's coaches it sounds like it wasn't Zac Guildford, but rather Israel Dagg that took Hosea Gear spot....

 

[nickdnz]

I don't know the first thing about propping, but I think there are still some question-marks about Crockett's scrummaging at the top level. Rightly or wrongly he still gets penalised quite a lot at scrum time; he was penalised a few times vs Australia, and was the most penalised NZ prop during Super Rugby (being penalised 20 times). Though he isn't normally exposed at Super Rugby level, there is really a question mark as to how he will go against international props who scrummage differently, with international refs who interpret the scrum differently. Like you personally I would pick Crockett as he has been outstanding this year (and Woodcock has been average, at best, for about the last 12 months), but I've heard a number of ex-AB's props who aren't convinced of his scrummaging at the top level. Craig Dowd is one who make a lot of sense when he talks; he like Crockett was a very tall prop, so knows the difficulties that tall props can have.



Boric had a great EOYT with the AB's last year, and was in my opinion the form New Zealand lock in Super Rugby - while he hasn't showed any form recently due to injury, he has been in great form this year, so deserves his spot. Like you, I think Williams has been poor (lineout work aside). The problem is that there is not really anyone showing great form to replace him. Hoeata is completely unproven at test level, and has a habit of getting penalised quite a bit. Having watched probably every Otago/Highlanders game this year I can say that Donnelly isn't the answer - I don't know what has happened to him, but he has been very poor this year. He's basically been the same as Ali Williams - great at the lineout, but his handling has been shocking, and he hasn't added anything else around the park. Josh Bekhuis is actually the Highlnders lock that I would have preferred to see involved, but it is far too late for that now. Not sure what Chris Jack is doing (he's not playing ITM Cup as far as I'm aware)?

Incidentally, listening to the AB's coaches it sounds like it wasn't Zac Guildford, but rather Israel Dagg that took Hosea Gear spot....

Yeah, I heard that they didn't have plans for Dagg, untill after the game. Still a pity. Like you, I'd have Boric in the squad, but there is a double standard.

Just a quick question, was anyone else convinced a little more with the 2007 RWC squad than this one?