All Blacks End of Year Tour squad

[Big Ewis]

just look at all those pedantic picky little NZ supporters with their "I'd rather have this...and not that" GUYS YOU OWN, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR STARTING LINEUP LOOKS LIKE !! :lol:

 

[admartian]

It would be awesome if they gave Sean Maitland a cap now, just to annoy the scotts.

lol.

If that happened, they should have this as the main picture for the news article:

 

[nickdnz]

Barring a last minute change of heart by selectors, lock Ali Williams will be one of the 32 names read out tomorrow morning to travel on the All Blacks European Tour.
Coach Steve Hansen's given a pass mark to the Auckland and Blues lock for the way he's come through the ITM Cup Premiership final won by Canterbury.
After injury struggles throughout the year, it had been suggested the decider was effectively a fitness test for Williams to win a place on the end of year tour.
"He did alright tonight. He's only played two games in the last three months, which is not conducive to being match fit and match sharp, but I thought what he did do he did quite well so we'll have to wait and see."
Williams meanwhile has joined 13 other players in recommitting to New Zealand rugby.
He's signed a one-year deal.
The New Zealand Maori squad will also be announced tomorrow.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/ne...lliams-likely-for-european-tour-32-man-squad/

I know it was expected - but it's genuinely getting me very annoyed. The guy has either been out injured or playing poorly since 2008. Yet he always gets recalled to the All Blacks on virtually no gametime. It seems like he's there cause he's mates with the coaches - rather than genuinely earning a spot. I can't think of a singly player in All Blacks rugby who has had the same kind of treatment from the coaches as Ali Williams. I would leave the country if I was someone like Clarke, Bekhuis or Eaton.

That bolded sentence sums up the attitude. He hasn't played in three months but what he did he did quite well...Oh, in that case chuck him in the All Blacks...unbelievable.

 

[Keithmurdoch]

Really, I think he's probably the best scrummager in New Zealand (even against shorter props). I think he gets a very hard time because of some guess work by referees, but I think he's the most dominant LH prop in terms of scrummaging - certainly at SR level. The only thing which I think he is guilty of is occasionaly boring in, but if the TH's outside sholder goes up or down (ie not keeping streight) then the LH prop has no real responsibilty to streighten up for him, especially when he has forward momentum. Will be good to see him always start for the Crusaders.

One thing you'll notice is when he scrummages the opposition prop will often be forced to stand up on their own feed. Some people think that's a poor thing (and if you've got a very dominant scrum it's frustrating because it limits the push can can make things messy), however if you're a loosehead, if you can get the TH to stand up, while going forward, it's extremely disruptive and effective which is why Crusaders are so effective at scrum time. The role of the TH for me is to provide a strong and stable base, the LH is to disrupt opposition scrums. I don't even believe Woodcock is as good at this.

Buddy, that's just plain wrong - he gets around the feild and does great works at thebreakdown, but in 5 years as part of a dominant cantabury scrum, he's been the weak link. Its not his fault, he's just a strong, manipulataple long backed loosehead prop like andrew sheriden - with, unfortunatly, an increasingly comparible level of hype.

 

[Keithmurdoch]

Couldn't agree more about Ali Williams BTW

 

[Muzzy]

I hope Charles Piutau gets a call up, and maybe Ben Lam to replace Hosea Gear

But if there's gonna be a bolter in the squad it has to be Charles Piutau really

 

[Helmy]

Ali Williams has got to be the most overrated player in the country, shirley? Can't stand the guy, he's rubbish in the line-outs and seems to lose more ball than he keeps when taking on the line. I've also heard he's a prat off the field, so I'm really not sure what he brings to the squad? The selectors must know something we don't, because I honestly don't see it...

I would also prefer to see a young halfback blooded instead of Ellis, who's another player I think is somewhat overrated. Maybe not this year, but Gibson-Park is another up and coming halfback worth a shout. It's good to see NZ producing a couple of players in this position who actually play the traditional style, as opposed to acting like another loose forward.

Also, to the poster above me, what exactly has Gear done wrong?

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Here's a question: why was Aled de Malmanche never considered a longer term option for the All Blacks? He's not too young anymore, but he's still 6 and 7 years younger than Mealamu and Hore. And I think he's better than Flynn and Elliot. Too late now, but I'm curious.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Here's a question: why was Aled de Malmanche never considered a longer term option for the All Blacks? He's not too young anymore, but he's still 6 and 7 years younger than Mealamu and Hore. And I think he's better than Flynn and Elliot. Too late now, but I'm curious.

Because for whatever reason, he was never able to throw the ball in straight. A big shame, because he was awesome in every other facet of play.

 

[Helmy]

He's not the only All Black hooker who can't throw the ball straight... Flynn in particular is shocking.

 

[nickdnz]

Here's a question: why was Aled de Malmanche never considered a longer term option for the All Blacks? He's not too young anymore, but he's still 6 and 7 years younger than Mealamu and Hore. And I think he's better than Flynn and Elliot. Too late now, but I'm curious.

Good question in which Invitus was spot on. He was poor at throwing in lineouts. A huge shame really because besides that he was an absolute beast - certainly would have liked to see him get more of a look in.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

and i guess why would we get amother hooked who cant throw the ball straight? we should be trying to fix the holes in our game

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

He's not the only All Black hooker who can't throw the ball straight... Flynn in particular is shocking.

de Malmanche is definitely worse It was frustrating to no end, he literally threw it not straight almost half the time.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Named

Squad:
Forwards: Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick Luke Romano, Ali Williams, Richie McCaw (c), Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Victor Vito, Adam Thomson.
Backs: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Julian Savea, Israel Dagg.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

No surprises then.

Still not too happy with the Coles selection - Elliot is a better option in my opinion.

Looking forward to seeing guys like Funnell and Coltman at Super level next year.

The Maori side will be interesting...

 

[donmcdazzle]

Coles is pretty good, as a centre. As a hooker I'm not convinced. He could be alright off the bench to add a bit of pace and another running option, but he is hopeless in the tight stuff. Does anyone know his super rugby work rate type numbers? E.g. tackles, rucks hit etc?

 

[smartcooky]

Named

Squad:
Forwards: Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick Luke Romano, Ali Williams, Richie McCaw (c), Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Victor Vito, Adam Thomson.
Backs: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Julian Savea, Israel Dagg.

Ali Williams: How the hell does Comical Ali merit a place in this squad. He's done nothing for most of the year, and what he has done was crap. He just about cost us the second Irish test, Danny saved his arse.

Andy Ellis: It seems like no matter how good this guy's form is, Hanson won't pick him. Kerr-Barlow's form dropped off towards the end of the season, while Ellis just got better and better. He has been stellar for Canterbury this year, and he is miles ahead of Weepu. No wonder Weepu wasn't released for the final; Hansen wouldn't want Ellis showing him up.

Johnny McNicholl: Not ready for AB's yet, but this guy has pace to burn, and we need to get him into the NZ Sevens team so we can lock him down for us in case some Aussie franchise picks him up (or he finds an Australian grandma)

The only weakness I can see (and I only use that term as in a link in a chain; there is always a weakest one) is midfield depth with Ellison carrying an injury. Ben Smith will have to cover everything from 12 up. I wish Kahui was back in the frame.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The Crusaders have signed McNicholl so he shouldn't be leaving anytime soon!

 

[nickdnz]

Other than Ali Williams I'm not too unhappy with the squad. I actually like Dane Coles. His work rate isn't that bad (I think because he stands in the backline a bit in attack I've always assumed he didn't hit rucks - but I was pretty impressed with his work rate this season). For a smaller hooker I've also been pretty impressed with his scrummaging for Wellington who arguably had the best scrum in the NPC. His lineout throwing has also been very good. Obviously his speed and skills are very good, but what always worries me is his discipline. If he can keep his temper under control then I think he may do pretty well. Have to wait and see I suppose.

Kerr-Barlow is a bit of a no brainer. While I agree Ellis is better than Weepu at the moment and has played very well in the ITM Cup - if he wasn't used while after the Super Rugby it's not suprise he wouldn't be used now. Kerr-Barlow always seems very talented but very messy to me. Have to wait and see. Either way I hope Kerr-Barlow replaces Weepu and holds it until Peranara is fit.

 

[ARCM]

i think charles piutau will be named in the sevens squad i suppose