All Blacks final World Cup squad?

[TobesHodges]

It's like Larksea said 3 guys in the backs arn't going to make it that deserve to be there, just because of the depth in NZ rugby is so good..

 

[Kiwi_]

It's like Larksea said 3 guys in the backs arn't going to make it that deserve to be there, just because of the depth in NZ rugby is so good..

Pity we don't have that depth at tight 5..

 

[NZ All Blacks]

I like your selection.
I was at Eden park last Saturday
For the test against the wallabies.
Lately you can see there is less dependancy
on line out jumpers and other options such as
Mc caw or Franks bursting thru the line out.
Read can play lock in emergency situation.

 

[smartcooky]

I'm Naholo's biggest fan and was devastated with his injury and there's no way I can endorse him going over Skudder and Piutau who both have proven themselves. It's just really unfortunate for Naholo, really sad. I just can't see the selectors making a call like that, especially given how controversial his injury recovery has been.

I think Shag has been very clever here. He knows he has the ITM Cup running at the same time as the RWC; so he has selected Naholo (v Argentina), Sopoaga & Broadhurst (v South Africa), George Moala, Charlie Ngaitai & Brad Webber (v Samoa) without any real intention of taking them to the RWC unless they played/forced their way in. I am pretty sure that none of these players will be in the 31.

What he has done is given them a taste of the culture, a look at how things work in the camp and some pressure game time so that he knows they will fit right in if needed. I expect these players and other fringe players who just miss the cut will be put on individual training programs with a list of work-ons by the All Blacks management in addition to playing for their ITM Cup teams. They will all have their bags packed, their jabs up to date and their travel visas all in order and be ready to get on the first plane to London.

Air New Zealand is one of NZ Rugby's Global Sponsors, so I would not be surprised if they have a couple seats reserved for the NZRU on every flight to London during the RWC.

 

[Mcfadden]

Yeah there does seem to be an increasing amount of whispers (between fans and scribes - not sure if any have the inside word or are just summizing) that Sopoaga will lose out to Slade. It does seem logical because versatility is always the winner at World Cups. Like everyone has pointed out, a few really good players will have to miss out. The more versatile you are, the greater your chance imo (even Dagg has a few extra party tricks other than playing fullback. He can slot on to the wing and can kick goals.)

 

[goodNumber10]

Yeah there does seem to be an increasing amount of whispers (between fans and scribes - not sure if any have the inside word or are just summizing) that Sopoaga will lose out to Slade. It does seem logical because versatility is always the winner at World Cups. Like everyone has pointed out, a few really good players will have to miss out. The more versatile you are, the greater your chance imo (even Dagg has a few extra party tricks other than playing fullback. He can slot on to the wing and can kick goals.)

yeah but Barritt and Slade are basically the same player with different coloured hair - why take both?

Leave one and take Sopoaga.

 

[Kiwi_]

Sopoanga missing out to Slade is a certainty with Slade not playing ITM Cup I think. Slade is definitely to integral to take out and has valuable experience and a real cool head. I can swallow that pill just fine. I sitll believe the big questions are

Do we take a 3rd halfback ( I think probably), do we take only 3 specialized locks (I think we only need 3, with Vito being so good in the line out and Kaino being able to cover also). That means no room for Lima, if we had it my way, I would not take TKB and Sopoanga instead, but they could play strategy, taking TKB for the early easier pool matches, then say he's injured in bring someone else in.. if needed.

I'd start A.Smith vs Argentina and Tonga only, with TJ getting the 80 minutes in all the other games, or playing who ever you want at HB.

- - - Updated - - -

yeah but Barritt and Slade are basically the same player with different coloured hair - why take both?

Leave one and take Sopoaga.

Slade and Barrett are not that similar..

 

[smartcooky]

yeah but Barritt and Slade are basically the same player with different coloured hair - why take both?

Leave one and take Sopoaga.

There is no way I would consider Barrett and Slade clones of each other. Slade is the better tactical kicker, a higher percentage goal-kicker and has experience in all back-line positions, including scrumhalf, which might go to Kiwi's point (in the previous post) about TKB.

Barrett is a quicker, faster runner, has a better step and is pretty much a 10/15 only.

....and besides

Sopoaga - 49 Super Rugby caps, 1 test cap
Barrett - 64 Super Rugby Caps, 30 test caps
Slade - 78 Super Rugby caps, 20 test caps, and previous RWC experience

I think experience will be the deciding factor

 

[William18]

Slade and Barrett are different players but have been doing the same role for the All Blacks. They have both been good players off the bench but neither has been at their best starting. Obviously we will start with Carter and put either Barrett or Slade on the bench. Slade has the goal kicking and versatility which sometimes you need at the back end of games; Barret has the dynamism to break a game apart. Sopoaga does not offer great goal kicking or versatility but he does, perhaps, offer more in terms of guiding the team around the park. I think it is for that reason that Sopoaga should go to the World Cup.

 

[nickdnz]

All the All Black contenders looked good. Part from maybe Messam.

Goes to show the class/cut above for some of these extraordinary players and we can have confidence with who ever goes, even Dagg.

I don't think Jane is a good idea over Piutau because of his injury history and lack of game time in a Black jersey this year. Piutau has been the more consistent All Black over the past few years as well, he's also younger/fitter and will last longer in a tough knock out tournament. Piutau is undoubtedly a better option than Jane right now, there isn't really a plausible argument about it. If you want to talk about franchise favouritism like you accused me of with Fekitoa, then saying Jane > Piutau is definitely Wellington favouritism.

Smith, Piutau, NMS, Savea should and will be our outside backs. Dagg being the closest contender knowing Hansen rates him and his experience.


Barlow had some good moments, making a case, really don't know if he will go or not, it's tough to say, I feel him and Sopoanga are fighting for a spot.

disagree, the selectors would have to be bonkers to select jane over Piutau, he wasn't just man of the match against South Africa, he was one of the only All Blacks to actually look good against Samoa and he had a really good game against Argentina as well.

The play where Piutau came from the left side to save a try on the right hand side even though he was outnumbered in the springbok test was the kind of play that just might win us the world cup. He booked his ticket that day, dont deny it.

I think maybe some hurricanes bias showing? IMO Accross those first three tests, Piutau was the best and most consistent player of all the players that got a run. And Honestly... I wanted him to fail, I'd much rather we take a guy who's committed to NZRU. But when it comes down too it right now 2015 is all that matters. 2016 can wait, we have to select Piutau.

Loving the bias calls. One of you still thinks Stephen Donald was a great fly half, the other wants half of the Highlanders in the RWC team.

I said I personally would prefer Jane over Piatau for these reasons:

1. Jane is still our best player under the high ball. I would say it is a fair bet there will be plenty of high balls come the knock out stages (anyone bother watching the last semi-final?). It's not an area of weakness of Piatau, but I think Jane would be the best in the world. His defense has also been great this year, tackling at 95% in Super Rugby. Purely looking at the knock out games that is helpful.

2. Cory Jane is contracted past this RWC, and while his best years are probably behind him I do like repaying loyalty. People say things like "it's a RWC year, that's all that matters". Well, it's not really. If you select people based on only a RWC - you see more players taking contracts overseas at a younger age, year after year. It sounds mean spirited, but I am happy for an example to be made of Piatau, particularly when I don't see a massive point of difference between him and other options.

3. I think Piatau is a bit overrated. Yes, I remember him covering beautifully from the right wing against South Africa, stopping a try. Awesome. He had a good game. He had a forgettable season.

4. Really it comes down to who else is selected. I would still say Cory Jane provides a larger point of difference to the other outside backs. I'd certainly like to see

 

[Kiwi_]

Loving the bias calls. One of you still thinks Stephen Donald was a great fly half, the other wants half of the Highlanders in the RWC team.

I said I personally would prefer Jane over Piatau for these reasons:

1. Jane is still our best player under the high ball. I would say it is a fair bet there will be plenty of high balls come the knock out stages (anyone bother watching the last semi-final?). It's not an area of weakness of Piatau, but I think Jane would be the best in the world. His defense has also been great this year, tackling at 95% in Super Rugby. Purely looking at the knock out games that is helpful.

2. Cory Jane is contracted past this RWC, and while his best years are probably behind him I do like repaying loyalty. People say things like "it's a RWC year, that's all that matters". Well, it's not really. If you select people based on only a RWC - you see more players taking contracts overseas at a younger age, year after year. It sounds mean spirited, but I am happy for an example to be made of Piatau, particularly when I don't see a massive point of difference between him and other options.

3. I think Piatau is a bit overrated. Yes, I remember him covering beautifully from the right wing against South Africa, stopping a try. Awesome. He had a good game. He had a forgettable season.

4. Really it comes down to who else is selected. I would still say Cory Jane provides a larger point of difference to the other outside backs. I'd certainly like to see

For the last bloody time, it's Piutau. PIUTAU WITH A U.

You take posts and twist them, I merely said Donald wasn't the terrible player people make him out to be and that I liked his story, coming on a kicking the winning penalty. If you even bothered to read my posts, you'd realize I'm talking way more sense than what you do and I said Highlander players shouldn't and won't make it.

Naholo I said shouldn't make it and Sopoanga being the other, unless we choose to drop TKB. What other Highlanders players have I gone on about?

Oh Ben Smith and Fekitoa... wow.

Your Corey Jane post clearly is Wellington favouritism because there's no way he's a better option than Piutau currently, end of story.

 

[Mcfadden]

Dane Coles
Kevin Mealamu
Codie Taylor

Tony Woodcock
Owen Franks
Wyatt Crockett
Nepo Laulala
Ben Franks

Brodie Rettalick
Sam Whitelock
Luke Romano

Richie McCaw
Keiran Read
Jerome Kaino
Sam Cane
Victor Vito
Liam Messam

Aaron Smith
TJ Perenara
Tawera Kerr-Barlow

Dan Carter
Beauden Barrett
Colin Slade

Ma'a Nonu
Conrad Smith
Malakai Fekitoa
Sonny Bill Williams

Julian Savea
Charles Piutau
Ben Smith
Israel Dagg


3 Specialist locks + Vito and Kaino who can cover if needed. I suspect Vito could start at lock against one of the smaller teams in pool play. Perhaps teaming up with Romano, while Whitelock and Retallick take a rest.

3 guys who can play openside (Messam probably could to at a stretch), 4 guys who can play 8.

I don’t think we should take the same risk as Australia with two halfbacks. Three locks, yes, because Vito is very capable and has done it before. Personally I’m just more confident that way. We don't want to use up Slade's versatility too early, because that will leave us short of cover in other areas.

Like Dagg or not, he provides options. He’s been in the environment before, he can do the kicking duties if our first five gets injured in a match, and he can slot into wing position. That gives us about 5 guys who can cover winger, plus Fekitoa or SBW probably could get away with playing there against a smaller team if we really had to.

Slade is experienced, can cover a range of positions.

Props and hookers are self explanatory. Charlie Faumauina has simply run out of time.

Carter starting and Barrett on the bench will be the big-match combo (including for Argentina and Tonga) while Slade can probably start against the minnows, with Dagg as immediate back up if he goes down.

 

[Kiwi_]

Dagg over Skudder? You're starting to smell like MotherRucker1 McFadden.

 

[Shaggy]

Dane Coles
Kevin Mealamu
Codie Taylor

Tony Woodcock
Owen Franks
Wyatt Crockett
Nepo Laulala
Ben Franks

Brodie Rettalick
Sam Whitelock
Luke Romano

Richie McCaw
Keiran Read
Jerome Kaino
Sam Cane
Victor Vito
Liam Messam

Aaron Smith
TJ Perenara

Dan Carter
Beauden Barrett
Colin Slade

Ma'a Nonu
Conrad Smith
Malakai Fekitoa
Sonny Bill Williams

Julian Savea
Charles Piutau
Ben Smith
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Waisake Naholo

I picked only two half backs, because if they were going to take TKB, why hasn't he had game time?

If they decide to take four locks (presumably Thrush if he recovers), I think Messam might be the unlucky loose forward.

If they decide not to gamble on Naholo, I think Sopoaga will get that spot.

 

[nickdnz]

For the last bloody time, it's Piutau. PIUTAU WITH A U.

You take posts and twist them, I merely said Donald wasn't the terrible player people make him out to be and that I liked his story, coming on a kicking the winning penalty. If you even bothered to read my posts, you'd realize I'm talking way more sense than what you do and I said Highlander players shouldn't and won't make it.

Naholo I said shouldn't make it and Sopoanga being the other, unless we choose to drop TKB. What other Highlanders players have I gone on about?

Oh Ben Smith and Fekitoa... wow.

Your Corey Jane post clearly is Wellington favouritism because there's no way he's a better option than Piutau currently, end of story.

1. The Donald point was aimed at Larksea
2. It's Lima Sopoaga. And Cory Jane. If we're criticizing merit based on spelling you're going to be walking some very dangerous ground.
3. I gave my reasons for Cory Jane. If you want to take an isolated example of me preferring one player to another to make a case for favoritism fine - but like all your rugby related posts and opinions, is based on very little.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Dane Coles
Kevin Mealamu
Codie Taylor

Tony Woodcock
Owen Franks
Wyatt Crockett
Nepo Laulala
Ben Franks

Brodie Rettalick
Sam Whitelock
Luke Romano

Richie McCaw
Keiran Read
Jerome Kaino
Sam Cane
Victor Vito
Liam Messam

Aaron Smith
TJ Perenara
Tawera Kerr-Barlow

Dan Carter
Beauden Barrett
Colin Slade

Ma'a Nonu
Conrad Smith
Malakai Fekitoa
Sonny Bill Williams

Julian Savea
Charles Piutau
Ben Smith
Israel Dagg


3 Specialist locks + Vito and Kaino who can cover if needed. I suspect Vito could start at lock against one of the smaller teams in pool play. Perhaps teaming up with Romano, while Whitelock and Retallick take a rest.

3 guys who can play openside (Messam probably could to at a stretch), 4 guys who can play 8.

I don't think we should take the same risk as Australia with two halfbacks. Three locks, yes, because Vito is very capable and has done it before. Personally I'm just more confident that way. We don't want to use up Slade's versatility too early, because that will leave us short of cover in other areas.

Like Dagg or not, he provides options. He's been in the environment before, he can do the kicking duties if our first five gets injured in a match, and he can slot into wing position. That gives us about 5 guys who can cover winger, plus Fekitoa or SBW probably could get away with playing there against a smaller team if we really had to.

Slade is experienced, can cover a range of positions.

Props and hookers are self explanatory. Charlie Faumauina has simply run out of time.

Carter starting and Barrett on the bench will be the big-match combo (including for Argentina and Tonga) while Slade can probably start against the minnows, with Dagg as immediate back up if he goes down.

How can you have Piutau and Dagg there but no Nehe Milner-Skudder???

 

[Mcfadden]

It's not necessarily just what I want, that's what I think the squad could be. How is Piutau so bad though? Personally I think he's very suited to World Cup style rugby because he has the extra aggression for tight play. He may not have the excellent step of Skudder, but he can bump off tackles when the defense closes up.

 

[Kiwi_]

1. The Donald point was aimed at Larksea
2. It's Lima Sopoaga. And Cory Jane. If we're criticizing merit based on spelling you're going to be walking some very dangerous ground.
3. I gave my reasons for Cory Jane. If you want to take an isolated example of me preferring one player to another to make a case for favoritism fine - but like all your rugby related posts and opinions, is based on very little.

And the other comment about wanting half the Highlanders in the team?

You're saying Jane coming into "form" after no All Black rugby and 1 decent game vs a poor Harbour team? Sounds like you're basing things of nothing mate.

He came off injured playing for the Ba Ba's. Meanwhile Piutau was one of our best players in the opening All Black games, by a considerable distance and played awesome for the Auckland team this weekend, but should not go... sorry mate, that's ridiculous and can't really respect that point of view at all.

 

[TRF_heineken]

It's not necessarily just what I want, that's what I think the squad could be. How is Piutau so bad though? Personally I think he's very suited to World Cup style rugby because he has the extra aggression for tight play. He may not have the excellent step of Skudder, but he can bump off tackles when the defense closes up.

Have you watched Skudder at all?? He's been in way better form than Piutau. He has also bumped opposition players off like Piutau. And Nehe has an awesome name too...

 

[Mcfadden]

Piutau has a better ability to drive in the tackle in my opinion, he's also less likely to get bundled out into touch because of his superior size. Remember, this will be tight play when we get to the tail end of the WC. Skudder is amazing, but I'm thinking along the lines of finals footy. Piutau has his strengths too, so to say he's "way better" is a bit over the top. Over the course of the Super Rugby season he was better defensively, and beat more defenders. Has to count for something right? His offloads were only 5 shy of Skudder's number, and he had played less time than NMS in a very crappy team.

People say Piutau had a quiet campaign this year. No kidding. He played about 5 games less than the dude you're comparing him to. Go figure.