All Blacks World Cup Squad

[Wolfie33]

All Blacks Rugby World Cup Squad announced by Steve Hansen tonight:

Props: Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks

Hookers: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor

Locks: Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano

Loose Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (c), Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Victor Vito

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow

First-Fives: Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade

Midfield Backs: Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa

Outside Backs: Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Ben Smith

To my mind, it is a strong team, with plenty of cover.
The forwards are a predictable pack, pretty much picking themselves.
I can't argue with Dagg & Jane being left out, Jane was unfortunate in being injured earlier in the season,
and Dagg just hasn't had the zing & pace of a few years ago, solid as they both are.

I think Kerr-Barlow, & Sonny Bill are lucky to be there & Naholo is a risk.

Soponga was unlucky, purely down to team make up, & the need to look for versatility. He has, for me, been one of the finds of the season through his deeds in Super Rugby for the Highlanders & he played a near perfect game against South Africa, cool & collected. He will be a shoe in after the Cup when Carter goes money making in France.

Piutau has also reportedly been unlucky, though I'm not familiar with his form this year.

Feel free to pop your thoughts in.

Cheers     

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[Wolfie33]

Here's something to think about . . . and probably not too far off the truth !!

All Blacks rejects could win RWC

OPINION: Here's a New Zealand team that could win the Rugby World Cup, all made up of leftovers from the All Blacks.

Do I hear you say "that's mental?" You are so right, it is mental and that's why this team could win the title.

For a start, they would not be scarred by the pressure of defending the cup - something that's never been done.

They would not have faced the trauma of creeping home against France in 2011, in a final that could easily have been lost.

This 15 would have nothing to lose, and would play without fear.

They have a brilliant back three in Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau and Cory Jane, a dazzling first-five in Lima Sopoaga, in Andy Ellis a canny halfback, and a young and enthusiastic pack led by the wily Jeremy Thrush.

This team would have a point to prove - left out of the All Blacks, they would be out to claim rugby scalps.

And they would have everything in their favour, with few of the negatives - such as being constantly in the media spotlight - that cling to the All Blacks like the curse of the albatross.

Run through these names, and you'll see a team no rugby nation would take lightly.

15. Israel Dagg

A brilliant punter of the ball and attacker, "Izzy" has paid for his inconsistent form, while Ben Smith has blossomed. As one of the Men in Black, now reduced to rapping in the Air New Zealand safety video. Age: 27; caps: 49; Hawke's Bay, Crusaders

14. Cory Jane

We're doing OK if we can leave Jane and his twinkling feet, bomb defusing skills, and game reading smarts at home. Cory fans, cheer yourselves up by reading his book. Give it as a gift on Father's Day. He deserves that for services rendered. Age: 32; caps: 55; Wellington, Hurricanes

13. George Moala

Best player in the Blues backline (don't get smart, it was OK at times), and won the hearts of the selectors for the Samoa test. Too much class and experience in his way to make the cup side. Age: 24; 1 cap; Auckland, Blues.

12. Ryan Crotty

Has never let anyone down, and scored one of the great All Black test tries, against Ireland in Dublin about 10 minutes after the siren went. Mr Reliable couldn't find a midfield slot against Mr Devastating Dreads and (unimposing) Mr SBW. Age: 26; caps: 15; Canterbury, Crusaders

11. Charles Piutau

Man-of-the match effort in South Africa but probably out of favour due to his plans to gap it overseas after the World Cup, and by Naholo's miracle Fijian treatment for a broken leg. Unlucky, but created some of his bad luck. Can cover, wing, fullback and centre. Age: 23; caps: 17; Auckland, Blues

10. Lima Sopoaga

Steered the unsung Highlanders to the Super Rugby title, then carved up South Africa in the republic on his test debut, yet even that wasn't enough to seal him a spot. What more could he have done? It's hard to know. Age: 24; caps 1; Southland, Highlanders

9. Andy Ellis

Gets the nod ahead of rising star Brad Weber, on the basis of being a wise head. Always the unlucky one, left waiting for the selectors to woo him. No change there. Could have done better against Samoa. Age: 31; caps: 28; Canterbury, Crusaders

8. Brad Shields

Not an All Black, but surely will be. Brutal runner with outstanding ball skills. He'd go forward, and open defences with that deadly combination. Age: 24; caps: 0; Wellington, Hurricanes

7. Ardie Savea

A match-winning ball-fetcher and runner. Plays a high-paced game, knows nothing but all-out attack, and exudes charisma and leadership. Every other country would find him a seat on the plane. Age: 21; caps: 0; Wellington, Hurricanes

6. Matt Todd

We're going double-openside here, and not just because the Aussies tried it (if anything, that's cause to avoid). Todd is dependable as Canterbury gales in spring. Age: 27; caps: 3; Canterbury, Crusaders

5. Jeremy Thrush

So unlucky, let's make him captain of this team, to cheer him up (a wee bit). He's a victim of a selection policy that opted for just three locks, and that locked him out. Age: 30; caps: 12; Wellington, Hurricanes

4. James Broadhurst

Rugged constant go-forward Hurricanes lock found that harder to do at All Black level, when the Springboks flung him back. Needs more time to develop his strengths. Age: 27; caps: 1; Taranaki, Hurricanes

3. Nepo Laulala

Powerful and explosive tighthead who is on the way up, and off to the Chiefs from the Crusaders. Did a great job keeping the seat warm for Charlie Faumuina, now he needs to be patient. Watch for him in 2019. Age: 23; caps: 4; Canterbury, Crusaders

2. Hika Elliott

An All Black from 2010-12, martial arts ace Elliott was heart-warming story when he won his way back in this year. Doesn't have the mobility of Dane Coles or Cody Taylor, or the stature of long-serving Keven Mealamu. Added bonus: looks great on a catwalk. Age: 29; caps: 4; Counties-Manukau, Chiefs

1. Joe Moody

A broken leg robbed him of an All Black tour two years ago so it's fair to say the Canterbury powerhouse is sitting in the "immensely frustrated" basket. A wrestler, touted as the "next tank off the rank", he's a work in progress - looking to learn to prop both sides of the scrum. Age: 27; caps: 8; Canterbury, Crusaders

 - Stuff

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/71502410/norquay-all-blacks-rejects-could-win-rwc

[JennyLeez]

Taken from the NZ Herald and I agree with comments re Carter and Williams. They were not in my Squad


The amazing thing about the All Black World Cup squad is how many holes there are in it. Four years in the making, it is dotted with untested, unfit, uncertain, under-done selections.

There's nothing to match the bombshell Australia dropped by naming only two proper hookers, one of whom - Tatafu Polata-Nau - isn't very good anymore and at best operated in fits and starts.

But as powerful as a top All Black match-day 23 is, there are problems waiting to be launched elsewhere.

Keven Mealamu is running on old legs, likewise Tony Woodcock although he tends to save his best for the black jersey, Codie Taylor is an unknown quantity and looks average, big Charlie Faumuina is well short on game time, a fourth lock couldn't be found, Liam Messam is going sideways, Victor Vito is a nearly man, Tawera Kerr-Barlow has hardly played this year, TJ Perenara has not stamped his mark at halfback, Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett are not dead-set convincing No.

10 backups, Dan Carter has been patchy, Sonny Bill Williams has been a flop in two out of three tests this season, Waisake Naholo will have been out for over two months when he takes the field.

There are lots of positives which is why the All Blacks are warm to hot favourites. They have tremendous experience among the coaches, a fearless leader in Richie McCaw, and the best players in the world in maybe nine or 10 positions.

The biggest shock. For me, it's Faumuina, because Nepo Laulala has looked so good, and strong. A prop with a recent neck injury/surgery, a big man who will take time to get match fit, represents a bigger risk than a wing who hasn't played for months.

The selection to celebrate: Nehe Milner-Skudder. He plays with a skill and freedom that could set the All Blacks and World Cup alight, and most importantly is a wizard at setting things up for others. I love watching Milner-Skudder, and applaud Steve Hansen's bold faith in a new talent/

As for Waisake Naholo's alleged miracle cure - nonsense. Traditional, alternative and holistic approaches deserve to be taken seriously and western medicine - including the insidious influence of gigantic pharmaceutical companies - deserves more skepticism.
But that skepticism also extends to the idea that the application of leaves can fix a fracture. It makes a nice story, but wouldn't stand up to investigation.

As for the announcement from Parliament, the party political broadcast on behalf of rugby by the Minister of Sport brought a tear to the eye but not the right sort, as did all the mentions of the Prime Minister. This is the sort of baby-kissing politics which should be kept out of sport.


I enjoyed every moment playing for my country & fulfilling my DREAM. #All_Black_1080 #53_Tests 2008-2015 THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES ??
— Cory Jane (@CoryJane1080) August 30, 2015

Gutted to not be in the RWC2015 team but congrats and all the best @AllBlacks men.. it's been a hell of a journey cheers

— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) August 30, 2015

Source:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11505299

[JennyLeez]

With yesterday's naming of the 31-man All Blacks squad, the players and staff now begin their final few weeks of preparation before the Rugby World Cup begins.

The All Blacks kick off their defence on September 21 against Argentina at Wembley Stadium but before they leave for England have a number of training sessions.

Tomorrow until Thursday 3rd September
Wellington training camp
The 31-players all take part in training sessions tomorrow and Wednesday before doing some community appearances on Wednesday.

Tuesday September 8 to Wednesday September 9
Auckland training camp
The squad train in Auckland next Tuesday and Wednesday with a fan event taking place at the end of the Wednesday training.

Thursday September 10
All Blacks squad depart from Auckland for London.

Source:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11505549