Your All Black Tri-Nations Squad

[admartian]

Here are mine so far (I know there's still one more game to go against the Welsh, but I believe these players have done enough).

All Black Tri-Nations squad 2010

• 1. Woodcock
  2. Mealamu
  3. O.Franks
  4. Thorn
  5. Boric
  6. Kaino
  7. McCaw
  8. Read
  9. Cowan
  10. Carter
  11. Rokocoko
  12. McAlister
  13. Smith
  14. Jane
  15. Muliaina
  16. De Malmance
  17. Tialata
  18. Whitelock
  19. Thomson
  20. Weepu
  21. Brett
  22. Gear
  23. B.Franks (PR)
  24. Vito (FL)
  25. Dagg (FB)
  26. Mathewson (SH)
  27. Latimer/Messam (FL)
  28. Kahui (CT)
  29. Cruden/Ranger (FH or CT/WG)
  30. Flynn (HK)

Not sure who's coming back from injury within the next couple of weeks. But based on form in recent weeks, here's the best (healthy) squad I can pick.

 

[nickdnz]

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Kevin Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieren Ried
9. Jimmie Cowan
10. Daniel Carter
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Joe Rokocoko
15. Cory Jane

16. Andrew Hore (if healthy, if not Aled de Malmanche)
17. Ben Franks
18. Tom Donnely
19. Victor Vito
20. Peri Weepu
21. Luke McAlister
22. Mils Muliaina

R. John Afoa
R. Anthony Boric
R. Adam Thompson
R. Alby Mathewson
R. Richard Kahui
R. Zac Guildford

I doubt this will be the team, but it is the one I'd like to see. I know there are quality wingers out there, but I think excluding Hosea Gear would just be a slap in the face. If he misses the RWC, I'd be shocked. Keep Rokocoko in there as well, he looks to be finding a bit of form again! I know I left out Israel Dagg, but I've run out of room. I'd include him and Ranger if I had two more picks.

 

[ranger]

Here are mine so far (I know there's still one more game to go against the Welsh, but I believe these players have done enough).

All Black Tri-Nations squad 2010

• 1. Woodcock
  2. Mealamu
  3. O.Franks
  4. Thorn
  5. Boric
  6. Kaino
  7. McCaw
  8. Read
  9. Cowan
  10. Carter
  11. Rokocoko
  12. McAlister
  13. Smith
  14. Jane
  15. Muliaina
  16. De Malmance
  17. Tialata
  18. Whitelock
  19. Thomson
  20. Weepu
  21. Brett
  22. Gear
  23. B.Franks (PR)
  24. Vito (FL)
  25. Dagg (FB)
  26. Mathewson (SH)
  27. Latimer/Messam (FL)
  28. Kahui (CT)
  29. Cruden/Ranger (FH or CT/WG)
  30. Flynn (HK)

Not sure who's coming back from injury within the next couple of weeks. But based on form in recent weeks, here's the best (healthy) squad I can pick.

1.Woodcock
2.Mealamu
3.O.Franks
4.Thorn
5.Donnelly
6.Kaino
7.McCaw
8.Read
9.Cowan
10.Carter
11.GEAR
12.Nonu
13.Smith
14.Jane
15.Dagg
16.De Malmance
17.Tialata
18.Whitelock
19.Thomson
20.Weepu
21.McAllister
22.Muliaina
23.B.Franks (PR)
24.Vito (FL)
25.Roks
26.Kahui
27.Boric
28.Cruden
29.Ranger/Stanley (Depends on the performance in the weekend)
30.Flynn (HK)

 

[MunsterMan]

Woodcock? Let's see how he does against the Welsh first instead of just 20 minutes off the bench.

Gear > Rokocoko too

 

[nickdnz]

Keep Rokocoko, I'd love to see Gear and Roks combine, they'd be so very quick and powerful...not so much in the way of kicking, but meh... If it is a 30 man squad (which I doubt) I do indeed like the look of ranger's squad.

 

[MunsterMan]

When is Sivi back? Jane is one of the top wingers in the world, and with Dagg or Mils at fullback he isn't needed there.

11. Gear
14. Jane
15. Dagg

 

[nickdnz]

When is Sivi back? Jane is one of the top wingers in the world, and with Dagg or Mils at fullback he isn't needed there.

11. Gear
14. Jane
15. Dagg

In my mind, Jane is the best fullback in the world. He has the skill set and preferance to play there, I'd put him there. Dagg looked good in his one full game, but I'd still pick Rokocoko in the XV over Dagg. Hosea Gear is an obvious selection, and finally the world is seeing it, unfortunitly he's had to wait till he's 26.

 

[Darwin]

In my mind, Jane is the best fullback in the world. He has the skill set and preferance to play there, I'd put him there. Dagg looked good in his one full game, but I'd still pick Rokocoko in the XV over Dagg. Hosea Gear is an obvious selection, and finally the world is seeing it, unfortunitly he's had to wait till he's 26.

His career has been quite similar to Rico's in some ways. Both were talented from a young age, but it took them a few years to develop enough consistency to be in consideration for the AB's - Rico debuted for the AB's when he was 26.

I expect they will name a 30-man squad, as they named that many last year. By the sounds of it Nonu will be back come tri-nations time.

I would pick a squad of:
1. Woodcock
2. Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Thorn
5. Boric
6. Kaino
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Cowan
10. Carter
11. Hosea Gear
12. Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Jane
15. Muliana

16. Flynn
17. Tialata
18. Sam Whitelock
19. Vito
20. Mathewson
21. MacAlister
22. Guildford/Rococoko/Dagg

23. de Malmanche
24. Ben Franks
25. Donnelly
26. Thomson
27. Weepu
28. Cruden
29. Kahui
30. Guilford/Rococoko/Dagg

I haven't seen the Maori game yet - apparently Gear had another stormer of a match. Guildford and Rococoko are obviously under immense pressure - after I watch the Maori game today and the All Black game in the weekend I will probably completely change my mind on the wings! As I've said before, I don't see much between the AB's wings below Jane and Sivivatu - I'd be happy to have any two (or three, if you exclude Dagg) of Gear, Guildford, Rococoko, Smith or Wulf in a 30-man squad.

At lock I'd have Thorn as my number 1 lock, but below that I don't see much difference between Donnelly, Whitelock and Boric - I'd be happy with any of these three starting. I would have liked to have another specialist 7 in my squad (Latimer) - I think the selectors may even be tempted to have a 17/13 split in the squad so they can include Latimer.

I'm still not a huge fan of Cruden, but the AB's coaches have been raving about him - I think they should keep him in the AB environment as a squad player (with MacAlister backing up Carter fro m the bench). I've included both Weepu and Dagg in the squad as they are both competent goal-kickers - one (or both) would be included on the bench along with Cruden when MacAlister invariably gets injured. I have included Kahui on the basis of his performance last week - if he reverts back to his super 14 form this week I would replace him with one of Stanley, Ranger, or Ben Smith.

EDIT: Just watched the Maori match. I agree with others, Gears performance in this game (along with his consistent performances all series) mean that you can't really omit him from the team - I've changed my squad accordingly. I'm still a bit worried about some aspects of his game, but he certainly deserves a chance. Not sure whether I would replace Rococoko of Guildford (or even Dagg) - Guildford will get his chance this weekend, but it will take a strong performance (which I'm confident he will produce) to get him selected in the tri-nations squad

 

[Dizzy]

I would pick a squad of:
1. Woodcock
2. Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Thorn
5. Boric
6. Vito
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Weepu
10. Carter
11. Gear
12. Nonu
13. Kahui
14. Jane
15. Dagg

16. B. Franks
17. Tialata
18. Sam Whitelock
19. Kaino
20. Cowan
21. Smith
22. Muliaina

Rokocoko, Ranger, Stanley and McAlister as cover.

 

[William18]

New Zealanders think that Gear is the best winger in the country http://www.radiosport.co.nz/AbsolutePM/xlaapmview.asp?p=277&msg=already&z=1

 

[rugbywriter]

Squad:

1. Woodcock
2. Melamu
3. O.Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Donelly
6. Vito
7. McCaw
8. Kaino (I just do not rate Read)
9. Cowan (I guess)
10. Carter
11. Gear
12. Nonu
13. Smith
14. Jane
15. Dagg
16. Flynn
17. Tialata
18. Boric
19. Read
20. Matthewson
21. McAlister
22. Muliaina

23. Rene Ranger
24. Stephen Donald (How long is he injured for?)
25. Weepu
26. Rockococo
27. Boric
28. Braid
29. De Malmanche
30. Guildford

 

[TyphoonsRugby]

god damnit, anyone who says Donald has talent is a tool!

 

[nickdnz]

god damnit, anyone who says Donald has talent is a tool!

That's not very nice...

It's this kind of dumb responce which will start arguments. I personally don't like Donald as a player...give him another 15 years and i think he'll make a great, Classic All Black, but at the moment his just isn't that good in my opinion. I'd rather like to see Cruden develop. That being said, calling someone a tool over preference is out of line.

 

[cyRil]

I love Stephen Donald!

 

[rugbywriter]

That's not very nice...

It's this kind of dumb responce which will start arguments. I personally don't like Donald as a player...give him another 15 years and i think he'll make a great, Classic All Black, but at the moment his just isn't that good in my opinion. I'd rather like to see Cruden develop. That being said, calling someone a tool over preference is out of line.

Nah don't worry about it nick. I know he just feels passionately about his opinion, so I don't really get so ****** when people say that. What I will say though is that I feel he is incredibly under-rated and was unfortunate to end his super14 on such poor form. Don't get me wrong, I see why people don't like him. I also didn't. But he impressed me for the ABs last year and he started the super14 very well. I don't know what happened in that 0 out of 6 game, but his goal kicking is normally quite good. He has a good pass and decent pace, a solid attacking flyhalf.

And honestly I just don't like Cruden. His goal-kicking is absolutely hopeless and apart from a bit of decent pace, I don't see anything special about him.

 

[Jake Heke]

Bro, i hate Stephen Donald.. and thats coming from a Waikato man myself. I never wanna see him in a black jersey again!

 

[nickdnz]

The problem with Steven Donald, which I eluded to earlier, he is a good S14 fly half. He scores alot of points and judging on S14, I think he is probably one of the best 1st 5's in the country. However there are players which step up for the AB's and players who don't. Steven Donald looks, in my opinion, out of his depth in International Rugby, and his decisions seem to always be desperate. Cruden on the other hand, is so young he has loads of time to improve. His running and, more importantly off-loading is very good and he has many years to turn his kicking game around. Donald is probably in his prime now, and doesn't have much to show for it in my opinion.

 

[rugbywriter]

The problem with Steven Donald, which I eluded to earlier, he is a good S14 fly half. He scores alot of points and judging on S14, I think he is probably one of the best 1st 5's in the country. However there are players which step up for the AB's and players who don't. Steven Donald looks, in my opinion, out of his depth in International Rugby, and his decisions seem to always be desperate. Cruden on the other hand, is so young he has loads of time to improve. His running and, more importantly off-loading is very good and he has many years to turn his kicking game around. Donald is probably in his prime now, and doesn't have much to show for it in my opinion.

Yeah deffiinitely some good points. I'm quite ****** off with Donald because this really was his time to shine and he buggered it up at the end of the S14. I just hope he doesn't get written off just yet. He honestly can be instrumental on his day.

I don't wanna be an asshole but Cruden will never be anything special, no matter how much time he is given. It's quite clear when you watch him that he just doesn't have that special presence about his game. I know he's still very young but I doubt we'll see much improvement. Sure, he has a fair enough running game, but it is nothing compared to someone like Quade Cooper, who is only eight months older. And he really has to work on his goal kicking. There aren't many flyhalves these days that don't kick for goal. What'll happen if he has a "Morne-Steyn-vs.-British-&-Irish Lions" type kick? A penalty from halfway to win the game? Let's just say I wouldn't want him kicking for my life.

 

[nickdnz]

Yeah deffiinitely some good points. I'm quite ****** off with Donald because this really was his time to shine and he buggered it up at the end of the S14. I just hope he doesn't get written off just yet. He honestly can be instrumental on his day.

I don't wanna be an asshole but Cruden will never be anything special, no matter how much time he is given. It's quite clear when you watch him that he just doesn't have that special presence about his game. I know he's still very young but I doubt we'll see much improvement. Sure, he has a fair enough running game, but it is nothing compared to someone like Quade Cooper, who is only eight months older. And he really has to work on his goal kicking. There aren't many flyhalves these days that don't kick for goal. What'll happen if he has a "Morne-Steyn-vs.-British-&-Irish Lions" type kick? A penalty from halfway to win the game? Let's just say I wouldn't want him kicking for my life.

Hang on, to be fair, this is Quade Cooper's third season of S14, as apposed to Cruden's first, and Cooper has only started to look like real quality in the last year and a bit. In 2008 I wouldn't have rated him as good as Cruden is now. I think you under estimate Cruden quite a bit. I mean, when he is on fire, he is really quite brillaint, he has moments when he is on fire that he is probably one of the best running fly half in the world, the thing is, he only delivers in small bursts, and rarely for the entire game, which is why Carter is a better running fly half atm. Considering this was his first year of NPC, S14 and now he's joining the AB's after winning IRB Junior Player of the Year in 2009, and captaining the Junior side to a JRWC win, I think he has plenty of potential, it just needs to be refined and trained, especially considering he's only been off of chemotherapy for a year and a half. He's bulking up a bit, but obviously he is still a kid.

Goal kicking is a big thing for him to work on, but he has plenty of time, and there have been quality flyhalfs who were poor goal kickers in the past, such as Stephen Larkham. I'm not saying you're wrong about Cruden, he may not be the new-Carter everyone is praying for, I'm just saying I'd give him a season or two before you judge him, especially considering he's only had 30min or so to prove himself in an AB jersey.

 

[rugbywriter]

Hang on, to be fair, this is Quade Cooper's third season of S14, as apposed to Cruden's first, and Cooper has only started to look like real quality in the last year and a bit. In 2008 I wouldn't have rated him as good as Cruden is now. I think you under estimate Cruden quite a bit. I mean, when he is on fire, he is really quite brillaint, he has moments when he is on fire that he is probably one of the best running fly half in the world, the thing is, he only delivers in small bursts, and rarely for the entire game, which is why Carter is a better running fly half atm. Considering this was his first year of NPC, S14 and now he's joining the AB's after winning IRB Junior Player of the Year in 2009, and captaining the Junior side to a JRWC win, I think he has plenty of potential, it just needs to be refined and trained, especially considering he's only been off of chemotherapy for a year and a half. He's bulking up a bit, but obviously he is still a kid.

Goal kicking is a big thing for him to work on, but he has plenty of time, and there have been quality flyhalfs who were poor goal kickers in the past, such as Stephen Larkham. I'm not saying you're wrong about Cruden, he may not be the new-Carter everyone is praying for, I'm just saying I'd give him a season or two before you judge him, especially considering he's only had 30min or so to prove himself in an AB jersey.

Alright, fair enough. We'll see this time next year how he's doing