Selection dilemmas for the All Blacks v Canada

[The Rugby Shadow]

from www.therugbyshadow.com

We saw the All Blacks perform close to their best in last nights 'redemption' match against France,to decide Pool A.

Graham Henry had said that this was "close" to the top XV we had expected,and with their comprehensive display,we can assume that this side will carry through to the knockout phase.

Which poses a selection dilemma for next weeks game against Canada.

We have heard of the need for game time and combinations for our side,to gain cohesion and build momentum in the run to the 1/4s and beyond.
Now that we have a fair idea of who is our best XV,do we suit them back up against Canada?

I think not.

As I have said previously , the top XV simply cannot play every game.

"It is totally unreasonable and naive to expect our team to play with test match intensity for 7 weeks in a row,and it wont happen.The demands of training,recovery and game time,matched with the pressures of a World Cup,will physically and mentally zap them."

​

So for the Candian game,which,lets face it,we should win in a canter,we should be resting the entire top XV.I doubt whether the 3 wise men will be so radical,but this is what I would expect.

Give our best the week off.Freshen them up,get over all the little ****ly injuries,then bring them back to fire up for a 3 game run to the final,beginning with a 1/4 final against possibly Argentina or Scotland.

The New Zealand public will understand and only the very naive and uneducated would be baying for blood and demanding an end to 'rest and rotation.'

The back 3 for Canada would be Mils Muliaina at Fullback,in is 99th test,and he should Captain the side. Isaia Toeava and Zac Guildford on the wings,with Guildford getting his first taste of World Cup rugby.
In the midfield Conrad Smith would have to start again with the injuries to Richard Kahui,Corey Jane and Israel Dagg. Sonny Bill Williams should be at 2nd 5.
Colin Slade gives Dan Carter a rest and Jimmy Cowan gets another test cap.
The welcome return from injury of Kieran Read will be loudly applauded as he packs down at #8 while his loose forward partners should be Adam Thomson at openside and Victor Vito at blindside.
In the second row look for Ali Williams and Anthony Boric to pair up,giving the old warhorse Brad Thorn some much needed rest.
The front row should see Corey Flynn get his first start at hooker with John Afoa and Ben Franks either side of him.

The Reserves will be a case of who is fit.

So some selection issues to sort through in the next few days for Ted and Co. Regardless of who is picked,it is safe to say that we are sitting very pretty at the moment,with very few injuries to report and some ominous form on the board.
All Blacks(possible)
Muliaina(c) , Toeava , Guildford , Smith , SBW , Slade , Cowan , Read , Vito , Thomson , Williams , Boric , Franks B , Flynn , Afoa
reserves: Hore , Franks O , Whitelock , Kaino , Ellis , Weepu , Nonu

 

[Black Heart]

Daggs needs more game time and more game time at 15. Putting Muliaina on the wing will kill two birds with one stone. It'll allow Dagg to get more settled at fullback and Mils will get some game time along with his 99th cap.
Guildford is a waste of space atm. He has no chance of making the 22 so there's no point in bringing him in except for sentimental sake. I wouldn't even bother looking at him.
If Carter is not starting then at least he needs to be on the bench. He needs to keep his rhythm going into the quarters. Same for Woodcock. Judging by last week's performance I think he's only one or two games off getting back to his old best.

 

[joydivision1979]

I am kind of leaning towards not resting to many of the players.

These guys are all pros. They should be able to see out the the rest of the tourney without any further rest.

Although Mils deserves a chance to play his hundered I dont see it happening now. Dagg should remain the man from here on in.

Its time to get serious.

 

[jawmalawm24]

Sounds like Kieren Read might be back and McCaw might be coming off the bench and Vito could be covering a few positions on Sunday. Adam Thomson has a minor leg injury so we'll see what happens.

On another subject anyone know if the All Blacks are getting any sort of bonus if they win the RWC? I remember there were alot of discussions about it last RWC to the point where England even stopped their bus to talk about their bonus terms with management. I think all the other countries were gonna get paid a good sum except for the All Blacks because we're supposedly gonna be 10's of millons of dollars short from hosting the RWC already.