Áll Blacks 2009

[Lee Grant]

Didn't want to start a new thread about Richie McCaw's knee - so put all the All Black stuff in here.


Richie McCaw is out of the prelim tests before 3N to rest a bung knee. He didn't look like his old self against the Bulls last week did he?

This from the Christchurch Press



A knee injury has forced All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw out of next month's tests against France and Italy.

Scans yesterday revealed the openside flanker strained ligaments in his right knee during the Crusaders' semifinal against the Bulls last Sunday and he will now target the Tri-Nations tests in July to make his comeback.

Although similar to the ligament strain he suffered against the Highlanders on March 7 which required six weeks' rehabilitation it is understood the injuries are not related. He will not require surgery.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said McCaw's symptoms worsened on the flight home from South Africa this week and he had a scan in Christchurch yesterday afternoon.

"The scan revealed he had a torn ligament on the postero-lateral corner (outside) of his right knee," Dr Robinson said.

Dr Robinson said, as a result, McCaw would be unavailable for the Iveco Series test matches against France and Italy next month but would likely be available for the Tri-Nations, which kicks off in July.

She said McCaw did not require surgery.

"He will have a period of complete rest and once the swelling and pain have subsided then he will be able to get into some bike work before he can resume running and rugby training."

It's the second time McCaw has hurt his right knee this year. Dr Robinson said McCaw had injured the medial ligament in the knee in the Crusaders-Highlanders match in March but this latest injury was not related to that injury.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: "It's incredibly disappointing news for Richie. As everyone knows, he is an outstanding and influential player and the leader of the All Blacks and we will be giving him every support he needs over the next few weeks."

McCaw's setback will provide a major headache for Henry who this week was told Hurricanes opensider Scott Waldrom, who made his All Blacks debut against Munster in November, will spend a lengthy term in rehabilitation after breaking three bones in his back in the other semi against the Chiefs.

Earlier this year Henry indicated he was looking to groom a No 7 to back up McCaw, but will now be forced to either start a rookie at test level or shunt blindside flankers Adam Thomson or Kieran Read, or possibly No8 Rodney So'oialo, into the fetcher's role.

George Whitelock and Tanerau Latimer, both specialist opensiders, have yet to represent the All Blacks but Henry now has to decide if he believes they have the ability and temperament to operate at that level. Josh Blackie

The All Blacks are scheduled to play two tests against France and another against Italy before they open their Tri-Nations campaign against Australia on July 18.

***************************

I bet the Kiwis wish they had our depth at 7.

 

[Spook]

McCaw looks bloody flat. Too many head knocks.

 

[cyclopath]

McCaw looks bloody flat. Too many head knocks.

Playing 7 must require more brain power than 13 - Morty seems to bounce back OK!
Seriously, they will concerned over east. So'oialo hasn't looked as good as usual either, Jerry gone - suddenly a different look back row. They won't be bad - can't imagine an AB back row being that - but Henry will get to try some new combos.

 

[fatprop]

I think they will end up with a more allrounder backrow to share the load.

Something like

6 Reid
7 Thompson
8 Rodney

would have great athleticism and workrate, and with the new breakdown ruling 3 guys capable of regular turnovers

 

[Blue]

Surely Lattimer has to get a look in. Even if it were on the bench. He has been superb.

 

[disco]

I've never been a huge fan of RoSo but there is still plenty of backrow talent across the ditch, Vito has been classy Lattimer as suggested earlier plus blokes like Kaino, Luakai & Thompson who has been brilliant this year although he was flakey for the AB's last year.

My Best Ab 15

1. The Myth
2. A. Whore
3. Newland
4.Thorn
5.Williams
6.Kaino
7.McCaw
8.Laukai
9.Lenoard or Cowen either way both very good
10.Carter
11.Sivivatu (Best winger in world rugby)
12.Nonu
13.Smuth
14.Masanga (Bye bye Joe)
15.Mils

 

[Scarfman]

I'm a huge fen of Smuth, but he's been just a wee but crep this year.

 

[Cutter]

I've never been a huge fan of RoSo but there is still plenty of backrow talent across the ditch, Vito has been classy Lattimer as suggested earlier plus blokes like Kaino, Luakai & Thompson who has been brilliant this year although he was flakey for the AB's last year.

My Best Ab 15

1. The Myth
2. A. Whore
3. Newland I dont think he has shown himself to be the best THP in NZ.
4.Thorn
5.Williams Injured.
6.Kaino
7.McCaw
8.Laukai I reckon he is finished for the ABs and if you were picking on form you wouldnt have Woodcock.
9.Lenoard or Cowen either way both very good
10.Carter Injured.
11.Sivivatu (Best winger in world rugby) Injured
12.Nonu
13.Smuth
14.Masanga (Bye bye Joe) Hands like a digital watch.
15.Mils

3. Probably Tialata or maybe Owen Franks.
5. Difficult one. Prob Boric.
8. Rodders is out of form. Maybe Reid.
10. Donald. They are light on here though and another injury could really disrupt their season.
11. Rococoko (switched to this side which is his better side).
14. Any of Kahui, Toeava, Ranger or Wulf.

McCaw's injury is a worry for them too. No genuine back up there although plenty of potential with a few. He probably wont get a start this season but Whitelock looks the long term option to me.

 

[Langthorne]

Based on this season's form, Adam Thomson will do a better job than McCaw anyway. I know Thomson plays with a 6 on his back, but he does all the work of a 7 and then some. The only question is whether he can be as outstanding at the higher level (considering both the improved standard of opposition and the pressure that comes with the AB jersey).

I will be very happy for the Wallabies if Soaiolo and Luake are selected.

Carter is a big loss.

The other positions are strong (as usual), but there is nothing that should be a great worry to the Wallabies (or the Springboks). If anything, I'd say the Wallabies look stronger in the front row, and of course with Giteau.

 

[Gagger]

It's not just me feeling a few rays of hope in this thread?

Despite him clearly being the second best 7 in the world and a leader with proven fallibilities, the ABs are clueless without McCaw and without Carter, there's nothing going on up top at all.

I'd be interested in seeing the stats of their win/loss ratios with and without McCaw and or Carter over the last few years.

I don't wanna wish ill on any player - but a severely dodgy knee to go with the glass jaw........ 8)

 

[Spook]

A most appropriate article:

Life without McCaw
By RICHARD KNOWLER - The Press Last updated 05:00 30/05/2009SharePrint Text Size Relevant offers
OPINION Just as All Blacks coach Graham Henry preaches about the need to unearth a back-up to Richie McCaw, the All Blacks openside flanker suffers a knee injury that will rule him out of next month's tests against France and Italy.

Talk about timely wake-up calls. It reinforces the need for Henry to groom a quality backup for McCaw, who will be 30 when the All Blacks face Tonga in their opening World Cup match in 2011.

If all is going to plan at that date, McCaw, the hyena of the breakdown and tireless rover of the open fields, will still be at the peak of his powers. But, given the battering his body has taken since he entered the professional rugby circuit nine years ago, there are reservations about whether the ace No7 will last that long.

Already this season he has clocked-up numerous injuries including two concussions and the latest knee problem has rammed home the message that a suitor needs to be found.

Certainly, McCaw is eager to charge on until the next global tournament he has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of 2011 but Henry should be mindful he is playing a dangerous game if he fails to unearth a worthy second stringer.

His problem is that he has already lost Hurricanes fetcher Scott Waldrom, who played for the All Blacks against Munster last year, after he broke three bones in his back in last weekend's Super 14 semifinal.

Last year, the All Blacks tinkered with the left-right flanker roles before reverting to using Daniel Braid and McCaw (after he recovered from an ankle injury) as specialist No7s during the Tri-Nations.

The rationale for the experiment of using McCaw in a left-right capacity was to limit the damage he was suffering in the collision areas and prevent burnout.

When it came to the crunch, however, and the All Blacks had to confront Wallabies fetchers George Smith and Phil Waugh, the venture was ditched.

Despite limited outings in the position, Adam Thomson started there as a specialist against Scotland at Edinburgh and Henry may ponder using him as one of his options at No7 despite him reverting to blindside flanker with the Highlanders.

Other contenders are Alando Soakai (Highlanders), George Whitelock (Crusaders) or Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs).

The Blues' brightest hope, Josh Blackie, is not likely to figure on the back of a season blighted by injury.

There is plenty of weight to the argument that McCaw has created something of a headache since knocking Marty Holah and Braid out of contention for the All Blacks openside role in 2003.

He has maintained a vice-like grip on the jersey and even when Henry's rotation plan was spinning at full throttle in 2006 his next challenger, Chris Masoe, was never a contender to take over.

Those who have watched the Crusaders closely this season have been impressed by the rise of George Whitelock when McCaw was injured, although it may be too soon to toss him into the starting side.

Ad Feedback Latimer's effort in the Super 14 final against the Bulls tomorrow morning could determine his fate. The remainder of the loose forward mix there will probably be five in total also remains unclear.

If Henry wants to continue to build on last season, rather than select purely on form, he will pick No8 Rodney So'oialo and probably Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker. The latter struggled with the Blues but has not been helped by a side that has again disappointed. McCaw's injury could now see Kieran Read, Sione Lauaki and Thomson all selected to cover the three positions. Liam Messam will also come under consideration.

As he has done for much of his career, Chiefs No8 Lauaki has impressed in the big occasions last weekend's semifinal against the Hurricanes is a fine example but questions remain about his worrying habit of fading in and out of games.

Other Crusaders who should go close are loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett and lock Isaac Ross. Ross, especially, has been one of the biggest improvers and has thrived with regular starts under coach Todd Blackadder.

With Ali Williams and Anthony Boric still injured, he is expected to be named alongside Crusaders team-mate Brad Thorn and possibly Kevin O'Neill.

Crockett has been primed to prove himself at this level for several seasons but has been continually overlooked. This charade could stop tomorrow.

Luke McAlister is in the Junior All Blacks so Henry can afford to carry just one first five-eighth in Stephen Donald and use halfback Piri Weepu as cover. Should Donald get injured, McAlister will be whistled in. It is hoped the injured Dan Carter will be back later in the season after he has returned from France.

Wing is also a contentious position.

If Super 14 form is to mean anything, Joe Rokocoko would not warrant selection but he has proved before that the Blues' season only seems to be part of his warmup routine for the international window. He'll be back, possibly with Rene Ranger and Lelia Masaga.

Sponsored links

 

[Scarfman]

Lauaki is a joke.

Masaga is terrific, though, always does something.

Donald is pedestrian, but he will have a very good backline to dish it out to.

But the ABs are clueless without McCaw and Carter. Put any kind of pressure on this team and they will go to pieces so fast there will be shrapnel wounds.

 

[Lee Grant]

I know Thomson plays with a 6 on his back, but he does all the work of a 7 and then some. The only question is whether he can be as outstanding at the higher level

Good call Langthorne - I thought he had a terrific Super14 season and whilst you are right in indicating that performance at the Super level is not a perfect indicator of how well a player is going to play in a Bledisloe, I think that he will go well.

He got a start before in test matches but was a bit of a penalty magnet. This year he seemed less reckless nothwitstanding that he was penalised a few times, but unjustly.

As for Lauaki: he may be a case of a good Super player (remember last weekend) who gets the jitters at the higher level. I was at the ground for the Sydney Bledisloe last year and when he came off the bench he was one of the best players - for the Wallabies.

It's not just me feeling a few rays of hope in this thread?

We had hope last year but didn't have the bottle that the All Blacks had in Brisbane and Hong Kong.

Let's not be to analytical and picky about who is in the All Blacks team, or the Oz team, for that matter. Let's try to get back to the days of the Eales team with their bloody minded belief and persistence. If we do, with the players we have, it won't matter who the Blacks pick.

 

[disco]

At the end of the day New Zealand had 3 teams in the top 4 this year & we Aussies had zero so regardless of what we think about certain Kiwi players they must be doing something right.

I do believe that most Aussie players seem to play better for country than club & cetain Kiwi players are the opposite e.g Thompson, Lauaki & even Nonu before last season.

The French are sending out a pretty strong squad this year so it will interesting to see how some of these less experienced Ab's go.

 

[Gagger]

It's not just me feeling a few rays of hope in this thread?

We had hope last year but didn't have the bottle that the All Blacks had in Brisbane and Hong Kong.

Let's not be to analytical and picky about who is in the All Blacks team, or the Oz team, for that matter. Let's try to get back to the days of the Eales team with their bloody minded belief and persistence. If we do, with the players we have, it won't matter who the Blacks pick.

You started the whole thread you big tease!!!

But to continue to piss on everyone's chips - when I saw Whitelock play this year I thought he was class, and even shaded Smith at the breakdown when they faced the Brumbies.

Back on McCheat - two concussions this season already to go with shot knows how many in his career. Isn't there a sort of medical limit on these?

 

[Lee Grant]

Gagger - I didn't mean to stop debate - just indicated that we sometimes get a bit anal analysing individual players. Some are world class and will make a difference in any game but sometimes we forget to mention the ability of players to act in a team way, to close out a match and to respond team-wise when things are going wrong and as though a coach is whispering in their ear on the park.

Sometime athletic and skilled players look great, and more so with front foot ball, but they can also be the ones who drop their head, or stay a second or two too long on the ground when they're stuffed and there's 5 minutes to go. And there are some apparently hard men who aren't good for 80 minutes: Finegan was one, which is why he was often played from the bench, and at times, exclusively.

But back to analysing players: agree on Whitelock, and I've had a big rap on Read on the other flank for a while now.

 

[cyclopath]

It's not just me feeling a few rays of hope in this thread?

We had hope last year but didn't have the bottle that the All Blacks had in Brisbane and Hong Kong.

Let's not be to analytical and picky about who is in the All Blacks team, or the Oz team, for that matter. Let's try to get back to the days of the Eales team with their bloody minded belief and persistence. If we do, with the players we have, it won't matter who the Blacks pick.

You started the whole thread you big tease!!!

But to continue to piss on everyone's chips - when I saw Whitelock play this year I thought he was class, and even shaded Smith at the breakdown when they faced the Brumbies.

Back on McCheat - two concussions this season already to go with shot knows how many in his career. Isn't there a sort of medical limit on these?

Must be a strange NH custom - don't they have chicken-salt??!!
I think Lee nailed it - the "team" player factor is invaluable. Staniforth is a great example - not the streaky stand-out game breaker that someone like Sivivatu or Rokocoko might be but bloody good to have there for the bloody-minded "I aint giving an inch" mentality. So too Mumm (and to a degree Caldwell for the Tahs).
NZ are good at producing this type of cattle, and for me they are under-rated.

 

[Lee Grant]

All Blacks squad named - three new caps
allblacks.com - 31/05/2009

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their squad for the Iveco Series home Tests against France and Italy, with fullback Mils Muliaina to captain the All Blacks and three new caps named in the squad.

John Afoa - Auckland
Jimmy Cowan - Southland
Wyatt Crockett * - Canterbury
Stephen Donald - Waikato
Andrew Hore - Taranaki
Cory Jane - Wellington
Richard Kahui - Waikato
Jerome Kaino - Auckland
Tanerau Latimer * - Bay of Plenty
Brendon Leonard - Waikato
Keven Mealamu - Auckland
Liam Messam - Waikato
Mils Muliaina - Waikato
Ma’a Nonu - Wellington
Kieran Read - Canterbury
Josevata Rokocoko - Auckland
Isaac Ross * - Canterbury
Conrad Smith - Wellington
Adam Thomson - Otago
Brad Thorn - Canterbury
Neemia Tialata - Wellington
Isaia Toeava - Auckland
Piri Weepu - Wellington
Ali Williams - Auckland
Tony Woodcock - North Harbour
Rudi Wulf - North Harbour

* denotes new cap

The three new caps in the 26-strong squad are Crusaders lock Isaac Ross, his Crusaders prop teammate Wyatt Crockett and Chiefs flanker Tanerau Latimer.

“All three players have been in outstanding form in this year’s Rebel Sport Super 14 and we feel they are ready for the international stage. I want to congratulate all three on being selected for the All Blacks,” Graham Henry said.

All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina, who led his Chiefs team to this year’s Rebel Sport Super 14 final, has been named as captain of the All Blacks, replacing the injured Richie McCaw.

“Mils is in the Leaders Group in the All Blacks. He has done a fantastic job as captain of the Chiefs in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and he has a great deal of respect and mana amongst his peers,” Henry said.

Meanwhile, Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay lock Bryn Evans and Canterbury and Crusaders prop Owen Franks, who have been named in the Junior All Blacks squad today, have been called into the wider All Blacks training squad as lock and prop cover.

Players not considered due to injury include Crusaders captain Richie McCaw (knee), Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder), Blues lock Anthony Boric (toe), Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), Hurricanes loose forward Scott Waldrom (back), as well as Daniel Carter (Achilles).

Henry said Hurricanes captain and All Blacks number eight Rodney So’oialo, who is suffering from neck problems, also wasn’t considered for selection for the Iveco Series. One of the leading All Blacks for a number of years, he would be using this time for rehabilitation.

“Rodney has had an incredibly demanding Rebel Sport Super 14 season, starting in 13 of the Hurricanes matches this year and that follows several years of intense, top-level rugby. We are taking a proactive approach and giving him some time to recover and rehab.”

Henry said So’oialo would return to the All Blacks for the Investec Tri Nations.

Henry said he and fellow coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen were looking forward to kicking off the international season against the French and Italians.

“France will again be a difficult challenge for the All Blacks. They have picked their strongest squad available and history shows they are often successful against the All Blacks.”

Henry also noted that French coach Marc Lievremont, when announcing his French team, had stated that they were coming to New Zealand to win.

“Italy will bring a different challenge. They will be well coached by the very experienced South African coach Nick Mallet and will bring a lot of physicality and scrummaging power to the contest,” Henry said.

The first Test in the Iveco Series is in Dunedin on 13 June when the All Blacks play France. The second Test against the French is in Wellington on 20 June, followed by the one-off Test against Italy in Christchurch on 27 June.

 

[barbarian]

Looks like a team of:

Woodcock
Hore
Tialata
Williams
Thorn
Messam
Reid/Thompson
Kaino
Cowan
Donald
Rocokoko
Nonu
Smith
Toeava/Kahui/Wulf
Muliaina (c)

Not a bad side, but hardly world beating. ABs looking a bit vulnerable this year, and I am considering putting a bit of my hard earned on either the Boks (around $3.50) or the Wallabies (around $4) to take the 3N. Could be worth a go.

 

[Lee Grant]

Junior All Blacks squad named
allblacks.com - 31/05/2009

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have announced a 26-man Junior All Blacks squad for the IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament. The squad is:


Ryan Crotty - Canterbury
Israel Dagg - Hawke’s Bay
Aled de Malmanche - Waikato
Tom Donnelly - Otago
Jason Eaton - Taranaki
Hikawera Elliot - Hawke’s Bay
Jacob Ellison - Wellington
Tamati Ellison - Wellington
Bryn Evans - Hawke’s Bay
Ben Franks Tasman
Owen Franks - Canterbury
Robert Fruean - Wellington
Hosea Gear - Wellington
Sione Lauaki - Waikato
Karl Lowe - Wellington
Luke McAlister - North Harbour
Jamie Mackintosh - Southland
Lelia Masaga - Counties Manukau
Alby Mathewson - Wellington
Rene Ranger - Northland
Colin Slade - Canterbury
Chris Smylie - North Harbour
Jeremy Thrush - Wellington
Anthony Tuitavake - North Harbour
George Whitelock - Canterbury
Victor Vito - Wellington


Meanwhile, Hurricanes and Wellington prop John Schwalger and Chiefs and Taranaki lock Craig Clarke will assemble with the Junior All Blacks as cover for Bryn Evans and Owen Franks who are assembling with the All Blacks.

One feature of the squad is the inclusion of two sets of brothers: Owen Franks and older brother Ben and Jacob Ellison and older brother Tamati.

Junior All Blacks co-coach Colin Cooper said: “We have got a talented squad of established international players plus up and coming players and (fellow Junior All Blacks co-coach) Ian Foster and I are excited about the campaign ahead.”

“The Junior All Blacks have a proud unbeaten record in the Pacific Nations Cup and this year’s team will be keen to maintain that record,” he added.

As New Zealand’s second national team behind the All Blacks, the Junior All Blacks are a key part of the NZRU’s High Performance Plan. The team gives more New Zealand players experience of international rugby and prepares players in season to step up to the next level if injury or form forces changes to the All Blacks squad.

The Junior All Blacks will play alongside Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Japan in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament, which takes place from 12 June to 3 July. The Junior All Blacks will play in one of the two opening round matches to be played in Samoa before the tournament moves to Fiji for a 17-day festival of international rugby spread across three match venues – the National Stadium (Suva), Churchill Park (Lautoka) and Lawaqa Park (Sigatoka).

The Junior All Blacks assemble in Auckland on 8 June and depart for Samoa on 11 June.

*************************

Masaga was a bit unluckly not to make the main squad instead of Jock Rock, who had no form, but Joe always plays better wearing a black jersey. Good to see Ranger getting recognised.

Watching the Chiefs in the finals I thought that THP McGougan was unlucky not to make the JABs.