All Blacks squad for their end of year tour

[nickdnz]

]

Sorry "The Glorious One" is that suposed to hurt my feelings?

Just, Glorious One will do. No need for the quotation marks. Putting "The" when referring to me, could possibly make me sounds pretentious or full of myself.

I think Gear has to be given a decent shot soon (and I stand by my threat of a temper tandrom if he's not selected.).

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think he means the way in which the two players break the line. Donald with power, Cruden with fleet of foot (in a very general summary). And what he is saying is that Donald's approach is not going to work so well at the next level whereas Crudens has a better chance of success.

I didn't see this happening. Both players went between other players... It's just Cruden had forwards in front of him, Donald backs.

 

[Darwin]

Ok, i'm going to have a go at who I think they will take (not who I want them to take). I think it will be 16 forwards and 14 backs, with them only taking two specialist hookers and two specialist half backs, but they will have players on standby to cover in event of injury.

Hookers: Mealamu, Hore
Props: Franks x 2, Woodcock,Afoa
Locks: Thorn, Whitelock, Donnelly, Boric
Loose Forwards: Macaw, Kaino, Read, Messam, Vito, D.Braid
Half Backs: Cowan, Weepu
1st fives: Carter,Cruden,Slade
Centres: Nonu, Sonny-Bill Williams, Smith, Toeava
Wings/Full Backs: Jane, Dagg, Sivivatu, Mulliana, Ranger

If Hore is unfit Elliot (although i'd prefer Rutledge), If Sivivatu isn't fit, then Rokocoko

i'd like to see a young openside such as canterbury's Matt Todd, but they'll probably play it safe

Are you Richard Knowler, and do you write for the Press? He picked exactly the same team( http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/4239961/Slades-versatility-could-sway-Henry-to-pick-him)

I'm not actually accusing you of copying him at all - when I had a think of who I thought the selectors would pick a couple of days ago, I had almost exactly the same team (though I had Rococoko ahead of Ranger)! To me this does seem like the most logical team, however I wouldn't be surprised if Henry and co. select a bolter or two - perhaps a Colin Bourke, Robbie Fruean, Charlie Faumaina, or Toby Smith...

I suppose we will find out in 24 hours time...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

If ranger had his way Gear would be nowhere near the All Blacks squad - breaking all those tackles, what's he thinking!?

 

[Larksea]

The selection of Hore & Sivivatu would be interesting... I thought they would a few weeks ago be we havn't seen them take the field. Given the hardest game is going to be the first one and neither have played for ages.

 

[Shaggy]

Are you Richard Knowler, and do you write for the Press? He picked exactly the same team( http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/4239961/Slades-versatility-could-sway-Henry-to-pick-him)

I'm not actually accusing you of copying him at all - when I had a think of who I thought the selectors would pick a couple of days ago, I had almost exactly the same team (though I had Rococoko ahead of Ranger)! To me this does seem like the most logical team, however I wouldn't be surprised if Henry and co. select a bolter or two - perhaps a Colin Bourke, Robbie Fruean, Charlie Faumaina, or Toby Smith...

I suppose we will find out in 24 hours time...

HEHE ... I wish I was that guy, might help pay some bills ... but no, i'm not him, and haven't read his team picks ... wasn't trying to copy you either by the way

... Like I said, it's who I think they'll pick not who i'd like them to pick - I'd like to see Fruean in there, and I forgot about Bourke when I put the loose forward there ... anyway, I thought they'll probably go for safer, already tried options.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The selection of Hore & Sivivatu would be interesting... I thought they would a few weeks ago be we havn't seen them take the field. Given the hardest game is going to be the first one and neither have played for ages.

I think what's going to happen is they'll be named in the squad, but will remain in NZ for another week to get at least one game under their belt before heading on tour - or something of that effect.

 

[Larksea]

one thing is for sure, there are going to be a lot of unlucky people who's names wont get read out tomorrow.

Gear - Great form for a long time, but stuck in a talent laden winger Log jam in NZ rugby made worse by the fack Jane - a fullback has claimed one of the AB wing spots.
Guildford - as above, things kinda havn't gone his way this year - apart from a gold medal.
Fruen - blockbusting form but should be piped by Toeava tomorrow on experience and versatility
Ben smith - classy player will all the skills and a great rugby head. If I were coach I would find room for him. Plays anywhere from 12 - 15.
Donald - The form 10 of the ITM cup with some staggering form & stats over the last 5 weeks showing all the skills in the book he's taken a potential bottom 7 waikato team to a potential home semi.
Leonard - improved each game in the ITM cup and got back to his best. Much better form than we have seen from Cowan for a couple of years.
MacIntosh - Great Early ITM form, huge Physical presence, maybe the best pick and go prop in NZ. Great game for the Baba's a few months ago.
Tialata - Form has imprved since ne was dropped but I cant see him pushing Franks or Afoa out of the Current setup.
Elliot - new laws suit him. Hookers around him are dtopping like flys, great form but still only an outside chance.
Chris Jack - When I see Jack I see a guy who would not take a backwards step against any lock in the world. there is no way he would let the AB's down if given the chance unlikely he will though.
Lowe - strong dude, personally i'd have him over braid but if they do take a Spec backup for McCaw it is odds on it will be braid. I honestly havn't seen anything from Braid to convince me he's better than lowe or that he'd do a better job than Messam or Vito would playing out of position at 7.

Actually looking at this list it's the start of a very good NZ B team that could even beat the AB's on their day. Reflects the depth we have in NZ right now.

And we still have a pretty impressive list out injured too.

 

[Darwin]

one thing is for sure, there are going to be a lot of unlucky people who's names wont get read out tomorrow.

Gear - Great form for a long time, but stuck in a talent laden winger Log jam in NZ rugby made worse by the fack Jane - a fullback has claimed one of the AB wing spots.
Guildford - as above, things kinda havn't gone his way this year - apart from a gold medal.
Fruen - blockbusting form but should be piped by Toeava tomorrow on experience and versatility
Ben smith - classy player will all the skills and a great rugby head. If I were coach I would find room for him. Plays anywhere from 12 - 15.
Donald - The form 10 of the ITM cup with some staggering form & stats over the last 5 weeks showing all the skills in the book he's taken a potential bottom 7 waikato team to a potential home semi.
Leonard - improved each game in the ITM cup and got back to his best. Much better form than we have seen from Cowan for a couple of years.
MacIntosh - Great Early ITM form, huge Physical presence, maybe the best pick and go prop in NZ. Great game for the Baba's a few months ago.
Tialata - Form has imprved since ne was dropped but I cant see him pushing Franks or Afoa out of the Current setup.
Elliot - new laws suit him. Hookers around him are dtopping like flys, great form but still only an outside chance.
Chris Jack - When I see Jack I see a guy who would not take a backwards step against any lock in the world. there is no way he would let the AB's down if given the chance unlikely he will though.
Lowe - strong dude, personally i'd have him over braid but if they do take a Spec backup for McCaw it is odds on it will be braid. I honestly havn't seen anything from Braid to convince me he's better than lowe or that he'd do a better job than Messam or Vito would playing out of position at 7.

Actually looking at this list it's the start of a very good NZ B team that could even beat the AB's on their day. Reflects the depth we have in NZ right now.

And we still have a pretty impressive list out injured too.

Yeah there are certainly going to be some unlucky players. Personally I would like to see them take three halfbacks (with Mathewson taken as a third halfback), but they seem set to take only two.

Assuming they take Sivivatu, either Ranger or Rococoko look set to miss out - whichever one of them misses out will certainly be unlucky.

 

[cyRil]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkk! There goes Piri Weepu's chance of touring. Opposition just went over on his ankle and it looks like one of those horror break and dislocations. Poor sod.

 

[Darwin]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkk! There goes Piri Weepu's chance of touring. Opposition just went over on his ankle and it looks like one of those horror break and dislocations. Poor sod.

Yeah, that looked really bad. Looks like Mathewson will go on tour after all......

 

[smartcooky]

I wonder if Piri now wishes he had gone on that promotional gig Ted wanted him to do instead of playing for Wellington?

I have been hearing that Cruden wont go on the EOYT

And the drums are beating for Robbie Fruean!!!

so....???

9's Cowan & Mathewson
10's Carter, Slade & Donald
12's Nonu & SBW
13's Smith & Fruean

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

God I hope Leonard is healed up and goes in place of Weepu...

 

[nickdnz]

Poor Weepu. It was horrible to see, and from a guy who's performed so well lately, it really is so sad. I'm hoping it's a 6-12 week injury rather than a 6-8 month injury. Mathewson looked good though, and I think he'll do better than Cowan. Can't wait for 6 o'clock tomorrow, so I can either love or hate Henry.

 

[smartcooky]

God I hope Leonard is healed up and goes in place of Weepu...

If Leonard goes, I hope its in place of Cowan, not Weepu.

Even Ellis has been in better form than Leonard.

 

[cyRil]

If Leonard goes, I hope its in place of Cowan, not Weepu.

Even Ellis has been in better form than Leonard.

Ooooff, a damning indictment of his game!

 

[Shaggy]

Yep, not good news about Weepu - I guess Mathewson is the logical replacement, given that he was called in earlier this year ... I guess if they are looking for experience they'll go for Leonard or Ellis (if it's one of these two, hopefully it's Leonard) ... if they are going for diversity/a bolter, perhaps Kahn Fotuali'i as he, like Weepu, can play 9 or 10.

I was also reading that Dagg hasn't recovered as well as hoped, and may not be selected ... this may help thelikes of Toeava or Fruean or even Gear who are probably all on the fringe of selection

 

[dan the man]

CRAAAAAAP!!!!!!

Couldn't believe it!!! In my opinion he's been the stand out player for the AB's this season! (there has been a few)

Guess Mathewson will be heading over. I heard Graham Henry saying in an interview that he thought Cruden would make a good cover at half-back??? Ellis would probably have a good chance as well. the selectors have been kind to him in the past and he's playing pretty well of late, he shows a bit more 'leadership' than he used to

 

[Larksea]

huge blow, Weepu has been a key ingredient to the AB's this year and IMO he's made up for the very average form of Cowan

Leonard would get my vote, been back to his best form before his head clash.

Though Mathewson mill surely be in the running too, Both Very good options and me personaly I'd take both of them ahead of Cowan on form.

I also see Weepu as a key player for next year, I hope he works his arse off to get back as soon as he can and as strong as he can.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

If Leonard goes, I hope its in place of Cowan, not Weepu.

Even Ellis has been in better form than Leonard.

You seriously think that?