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Tri Nations 2009-2011
All Blacks Tri-nations squad 2011
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<blockquote data-quote="TRF_stormer2010" data-source="post: 418421" data-attributes="member: 39190"><p>Props</p><p>Is Crocket injured? I guess I am a bit confused as to what exactly the injury standby means. I'd have him there ahead of Woodcock if avaiable as first choice loose head. </p><p></p><p>Hooker</p><p>While Elliot can feel a bit hard done by I don't think this matters overly much as Mealamu will in all probability see the lion's share of game time and rightly so.</p><p></p><p>Locks</p><p>Spot on IMO. Hoeata was immense this season and Williams did more than enough to reclaim his place among the Crusaders lock partners</p><p></p><p>Loosies</p><p>I think Thomson is a bit lucky to get in as I don't think he would do well in the ABs and went a bit off the boil towards the end of the season after a great start. He really only comes to the fore in very loose games IMO. Todd should have been there as specialist back-up. Otherwise Vito was next in line IMO.</p><p></p><p>Halves</p><p>Spot on again at 9 but with the question as to Carter's back-up still not answered IMO. That said I have no idea what to expect from Slade but unless Carter gets injured I doubt this even matters. </p><p></p><p>Centers</p><p>I guess the selectors see Toeava as a wing/fullback rather than a fullback centre with 4 other centers there in Nonu, Smith, SBW and Kahui. Personally I'd have dropped Kahui and picked another specialist wing with 3 specialist centers and Toeava as cover. Nonu and Smith have not been as dominant/dangerous as in the past but I expect they'll shine again in a black jersey. SBW has still to be tested at test level in a tight game but he seems to have the temperament for big occasions.</p><p></p><p>Outbacks</p><p>This is where I think the selectors MIGHT have dropped the ball but they probably, definately, know a lot more than I do LOL. Muliaina has, like so many Springboks, looked his age a tad at times. Solid and experienced but not the best bet probably. Gear has not been the force he has been in previous seasons. Maybe that was because of the Hurricanes in general having had a bad season but still with the options NZ have in this area.. I am not convinced. While Guildford has had a reasonable season I think he is only there because he played for the 'Saders and others would/could have done much better with the opportunities he has had. With Dagg and Toeava I think both should be there. Dagg has shown in a AB jersey that he is a class player and did so with the Crusaders as well prior to injury. So too Toeava and though both have been out of the S15 for a while I think it is the best option to bet on these two to pick up where they have left off. They'd be my bets for the 15/22 spots. The big casualties for me have been Sivivatu and Jane both of whom have been massive for the AB's. Jane has always done a lot better in black at 14 than with the 'Canes at 15 IMO and with the overall bad form of the 'Canes I'd think he would still be a good option while Sivivatu had shown some form coming back form injury IMO. Exceptionally dangerous on the counter and kick-return running and creates more than he finishes. Also if there was room for someone coming in from the fringes I'd have thought both maitland and Smith were better bets than at least Guildford.</p><p></p><p>So to some up</p><p>Lucky</p><p>Woodcock</p><p>Flynn</p><p>Thomson</p><p>Kahui</p><p>Guildford</p><p>Muliaina</p><p></p><p>Unlucky</p><p>Crocket</p><p>Todd</p><p>Vito</p><p>Jane</p><p>Sivivatu</p><p>Maitland</p><p>Smith</p><p></p><p>Not too many points to be upset about though all considered. Not as much as other nations and ITO starters at least.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TRF_stormer2010, post: 418421, member: 39190"] Props Is Crocket injured? I guess I am a bit confused as to what exactly the injury standby means. I'd have him there ahead of Woodcock if avaiable as first choice loose head. Hooker While Elliot can feel a bit hard done by I don't think this matters overly much as Mealamu will in all probability see the lion's share of game time and rightly so. Locks Spot on IMO. Hoeata was immense this season and Williams did more than enough to reclaim his place among the Crusaders lock partners Loosies I think Thomson is a bit lucky to get in as I don't think he would do well in the ABs and went a bit off the boil towards the end of the season after a great start. He really only comes to the fore in very loose games IMO. Todd should have been there as specialist back-up. Otherwise Vito was next in line IMO. Halves Spot on again at 9 but with the question as to Carter's back-up still not answered IMO. That said I have no idea what to expect from Slade but unless Carter gets injured I doubt this even matters. Centers I guess the selectors see Toeava as a wing/fullback rather than a fullback centre with 4 other centers there in Nonu, Smith, SBW and Kahui. Personally I'd have dropped Kahui and picked another specialist wing with 3 specialist centers and Toeava as cover. Nonu and Smith have not been as dominant/dangerous as in the past but I expect they'll shine again in a black jersey. SBW has still to be tested at test level in a tight game but he seems to have the temperament for big occasions. Outbacks This is where I think the selectors MIGHT have dropped the ball but they probably, definately, know a lot more than I do LOL. Muliaina has, like so many Springboks, looked his age a tad at times. Solid and experienced but not the best bet probably. Gear has not been the force he has been in previous seasons. Maybe that was because of the Hurricanes in general having had a bad season but still with the options NZ have in this area.. I am not convinced. While Guildford has had a reasonable season I think he is only there because he played for the 'Saders and others would/could have done much better with the opportunities he has had. With Dagg and Toeava I think both should be there. Dagg has shown in a AB jersey that he is a class player and did so with the Crusaders as well prior to injury. So too Toeava and though both have been out of the S15 for a while I think it is the best option to bet on these two to pick up where they have left off. They'd be my bets for the 15/22 spots. The big casualties for me have been Sivivatu and Jane both of whom have been massive for the AB's. Jane has always done a lot better in black at 14 than with the 'Canes at 15 IMO and with the overall bad form of the 'Canes I'd think he would still be a good option while Sivivatu had shown some form coming back form injury IMO. Exceptionally dangerous on the counter and kick-return running and creates more than he finishes. Also if there was room for someone coming in from the fringes I'd have thought both maitland and Smith were better bets than at least Guildford. So to some up Lucky Woodcock Flynn Thomson Kahui Guildford Muliaina Unlucky Crocket Todd Vito Jane Sivivatu Maitland Smith Not too many points to be upset about though all considered. Not as much as other nations and ITO starters at least. [/QUOTE]
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