All Blacks squad for their end of year tour

[fcukernaut]

I'd like to see Brad Thorn captain the run on squad, if and when they give McCaw a breather on the EOYT. He's earned that priviledge and has been leader both vocally and by example around the field and training pitch. He's always seemed like the logical vice-captain to me at least since the end of the last world cup.

 

[Shaggy]

I'd like to see Brad Thorn captain the run on squad, if and when they give McCaw a breather on the EOYT. He's earned that priviledge and has been leader both vocally and by example around the field and training pitch. He's always seemed like the logical vice-captain to me at least since the end of the last world cup.

I'm sure he'd make a great captain, but they are more likely IMO to pick someone with long term prospects, such as Keiran Read ... plenty of other that have captained at Super Rugby level too, plus there's Muliana as well

 

[Larksea]

I dont see thorn as a captian at all. Sets a great example on and off the field with his intensity & work ethic yes but he's not a on-field tacticion, he doesn't start fights but his over devaloped sense of protection for his team mates gets him in trouble as well.

Read, mealamu, Mills in that order the captian material. Even consider the likes of Boric, I think he would do a good job with a bit of coaching but he hasn't established his reputation enough on field for the AB's yet.

 

[ranger]

I dont see thorn as a captian at all. Sets a great example on and off the field with his intensity & work ethic yes but he's not a on-field tacticion, he doesn't start fights but his over devaloped sense of protection for his team mates gets him in trouble as well.

Read, mealamu, Mills in that order the captian material. Even consider the likes of Boric, I think he would do a good job with a bit of coaching but he hasn't established his reputation enough on field for the AB's yet.

Not a fan of Mills as captain myself. And i would definitely give Conrad Smith the captaincy over Boric, Smith may not have done much captaining before but he is the smartest bloke on the field and has great intensity. Cowan is another good rugged captain for the Highlanders. Carter is another left field option, i have always been a fan of making the flyhalf captain, he normally calls the shots in the backline anyway and its always made more sense for me having the guy kicking the goals be the same guy who decides if they are going to take a kick at goal or not..

 

[Shaggy]

Not a fan of Mills as captain myself. And i would definitely give Conrad Smith the captaincy over Boric, Smith may not have done much captaining before but he is the smartest bloke on the field and has great intensity. Cowan is another good rugged captain for the Highlanders. Carter is another left field option, i have always been a fan of making the flyhalf captain, he normally calls the shots in the backline anyway and its always made more sense for me having the guy kicking the goals be the same guy who decides if they are going to take a kick at goal or not..

I think Conrad Smith was captain of the Canes for a season wasn't he ... I think he's a good choice ... it would be interesting to see how the ABs would go without Ritchie now (for just one game) - I feel that the senior players probably have the experience to cope better than the last time we were without him

 

[nickdnz]

I think Conrad Smith was captain of the Canes for a season wasn't he ... I think he's a good choice ... it would be interesting to see how the ABs would go without Ritchie now (for just one game) - I feel that the senior players probably have the experience to cope better than the last time we were without him

I don't think so. From memory it was Umaga then So'oialo and now Hore. Conrad would make a very clever captain. I don't like the idea of Read as captain. He's come on in leaps and bounds as a player, but there's just something about him that doesn't suit being a captain. I don't believe that giving a fullback captaincy is a good idea. If we're looking for the best man for the job right now, I'd go with Mealamu. If you're looking to train a future captain, then I'm not sure at all who'd be best. Weepu is still pretty young, and he was a good captain for Wellington in 2008. I also like the idea of maybe giving someone like Sam Whitelock a go at captain, for far in the future. Tough decision.

 

[Muzzy]

Woodcock
Mealamu
Tialata
Thorn
Donnelly
Kaino
McCaw
Read
Cowan
Carter
Rokocoko
Nonu
Smith
Jane
Muliaina

O. Franks
Flynn
Ross
Vito
Weepu
Slade
Dagg

Caine or Ellis both top half backs in the ITM Cup
Payne or Fruen
McAlister (by default because i don't like Cruden and there's no other 2nd five/1st five to pick)
Ranger
Levave or Messam
Whitelock
Hore (Elliot if injured)
Afoa

 

[Sam Owen]

Levave and Messam both deserve to be in black. I think Faafili and Liam have been playing better than Vito, with all due respect to Vito of course I know Vito is a good player and will get better but Faafili and Liam are just shining at the moment IMO.

 

[Darwin]

Levave and Messam both deserve to be in black. I think Faafili and Liam have been playing better than Vito, with all due respect to Vito of course I know Vito is a good player and will get better but Faafili and Liam are just shining at the moment IMO.

The problem with Levave at this stage is that he's never done anything substaintal at Super 14 level (and in fact he missed last years Super 14) - generally I feel that you should prove yourself at Super Rugby level before being considered for the AB's. I haven't seen much of his play in the NPC this season, but its great to hear that he's been in such good form as he's always been a very talented player.

 

[Shaggy]

I don't think so. From memory it was Umaga then So'oialo and now Hore. Conrad would make a very clever captain. I don't like the idea of Read as captain. He's come on in leaps and bounds as a player, but there's just something about him that doesn't suit being a captain. I don't believe that giving a fullback captaincy is a good idea. If we're looking for the best man for the job right now, I'd go with Mealamu. If you're looking to train a future captain, then I'm not sure at all who'd be best. Weepu is still pretty young, and he was a good captain for Wellington in 2008. I also like the idea of maybe giving someone like Sam Whitelock a go at captain, for far in the future. Tough decision.

Yup, i agree, Conrad's a clever player and does already show leaderships in the backs ... he did Captain the Canes in 07 when they were resting So'oialo for the World Cup. Not sure about Sam Whitelock as I'm not sure if he's Captained before, and i think the Captain should be secure as the first choice in the position that he plays, and also play in a position that isn't likely to get subbed during the match

 

[smartcooky]

Apparently, according to Wayne Smith, the AB's selectors are looking at Robbie Fruean for the NH tour....


From Radiosport.co.nz

Sonny Bill Williams is starting to hit his straps after two matches in the ITM Cup, but it's the man outside him that has caught the attention of All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith.

Smith says Fruean is the real deal and is an outstanding talent. He says the squad they pick for the tour will be the majority of the squad they use for next year's Rugby World Cup.

Also, Smith reckons SBW is not yet on the EOYT squad

Meanwhile Smith insists Williams is not guaranteed a place on the end of year tour but admits he has been impressed with Williams in his two outings in the ITM Cup. However Smith says he still hasn't done enough to book his ticket to Europe and says if Williams is good enough when they select their squad that would be great, but it's not a development tour.

 

[Shaggy]

Apparently, according to Wayne Smith, the AB's selectors are looking at Robbie Fruean for the NH tour....


From Radiosport.co.nz

Also, Smith reckons SBW is not yet on the EOYT squad

That's great news about Fruean, and a sensible approach to SBW ... I also just read about the All Blacks that are being wrapped in cotton wool/unavailable for the ITM and posted the details on the ITM thread

 

[Sam Owen]

Thats great news for Robbie, to hear something encouraging like that from Smith. Hope he get's a shot he deserves it at the moment and he wont let anybody down. I'd bet he make the touring squad now after hearing that.

 

[Darwin]

That's great news about Fruean, and a sensible approach to SBW ... I also just read about the All Blacks that are being wrapped in cotton wool/unavailable for the ITM and posted the details on the ITM thread

I'm still yet to be convinced by Fruean - he was a bit disappointing throughout the Super 14. I worry a wee bit about him defensively, as he made quite a few basic defensive errors during the Super 14 season.

He has, however, looked outstanding throughout the NPC - it's hard to work out how much of this should be attributed to his improved performance, and how much to the drop off in quality of the opposition. If Kahui is ruled out with injury he certainly will be strong contender for a spot on the end of year tour though.

 

[Sam Owen]

Yeah I think Kahui is out with a shoulder injury still. I read somewhere here on our forum, I think the ITM section there's a thread about it.

 

[Larksea]

If Kahui isn't fit then the best options are surely Fruen & jared payne. He's been very impressive.

 

[Darwin]

If Kahui isn't fit then the best options are surely Fruen & jared payne. He's been very impressive.

Well is looks like Kahui has officially been ruled out now (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/4134909/Surgery-ends-All-Black-Richard-Kahuis-season). I agree, Payne and Fruean are the form centres in the competition so far, however if Toeava is fit (he's meant to be back in a few weeks) I'd pick him over either of them. The likes of Ranger and Muliana are also capable of playing centre, so even if Toeava isn't selected, Fruean may have trouble making it into the squad.

 

[Shaggy]

Well is looks like Kahui has officially been ruled out now (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/4134909/Surgery-ends-All-Black-Richard-Kahuis-season). I agree, Payne and Fruean are the form centres in the competition so far, however if Toeava is fit (he's meant to be back in a few weeks) I'd pick him over either of them. The likes of Ranger and Muliana are also capable of playing centre, so even if Toeava isn't selected, Fruean may have trouble making it into the squad.

Not good news for Kahui, but hopefully he'll be back and in contention for next year ... i'm picking it will come down to Fruean or Toeava (he's back training with Auckland this week)

 

[HarryPeters]

And with Graham Henry loving Toeava so much it wouldn't surprise me at all if he goes on the tour.

This is the time to take Fruen or SBW on the end of year tour, because I wouldn't risk trying them out in the Tri-Nations next year. This tour should get the squad together and finalised, then push on to the Tri-Nations together and to the World Cup.

We all know what happens when the All Blacks change too many things.

A consistant team is the key.

 

[Larksea]

gutted, I honestly believe that he is a footballer with the Skills and ability to be as big in world rugby as Carter & McCaw but he's basically had almost half his carrier robbed from him through Injury.

Conrad Smith is a good player who has got better with experience, but it took him 3+ years in and around the All Blacks to become a quality international player. IMO Kahui looked a Quality international player the momment he took the field for the All Blacks at the tender age of what? 22? When he in a shy tone he said he was too slow to be a test winger then came on and beat habanna in a foot race. And he's bigger, stronger, faster and has better kicking skills than Conrad.

yeah Fingers crossed Toeava makes a good comeback, he's a guy who needs a good break from injuries as well. By all accounts he has been keeping in good shape there were pics of him training hard circulating weeks ago.