All Black Injury Crisis

[Ali's Choice]

In a RWC year, New Zealand is currently facing an almost unprecedented injury crisis. Are the wheels falling off the ABs RWC campaign early? Fortunately not many players have been ruled out for the RWC, but several are out for months and will be cutting it very fine to be ready for the World Cup.

Here's a 22 comprised of ABs and fringe ABs who are currently injured.

15. Isaia Toeava
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma'a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Piri Weepu

8. Rodney So'oialo
7. Daniel Braid
6. Tanerau Latimer
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brad Thorn
3. Ben Franks
2.
1. Tony Woodcock

16.
17. Charlie Faumuina
18. Anthony Boric
19. Karl Lowe
20. Andy Ellis
21. Luke McAlister
22. Colin Slade

 

[wamberal]

Tough titty.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Tough titty.

Indeed.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

That's a pretty decent line up. I maintain that if Thorn, McCaw and Carter don't make it (or any combination of the three), the AB's could be in some trouble.

 

[Ali's Choice]

That's a pretty decent line up. I maintain that if Thorn, McCaw and Carter don't make it (or any combination of the three), the AB's could be in some trouble.

Of those three Carter is by far the most important. NZ's desperate search for a serviceable backup to Carter in the post-Nick Evans era continues unabated. Colin Slade had the most likely skillset to handle these duties, but is out for the RWC. If Carter cannot get his hamstring right, we're looking at Stephen Donald or Luke McAlister wearing the no.10 jersey for the All Blacks come RWC time.

 

[qwerty51]

Heh, the All Blacks have the most depth out of any country by far. The Wallabies are the ones that should be complaining, where their top players are generally the only good ones.

I mean take a look at these centre combos:

12. Nonu 13. Smith
12. SBW 13. Freuan
12. McAlister 13. Payne

What do the Wallabies have? 12. Who knows? 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)? Any one of the those 6 Kiwi centres would walk into our side. We've lost Drew Mitchell, our best winger by far. Kiwis still got Maitland, Guildford, Gear, Masaga, Ranger, Rokocoko, Poki and fullbacks like Dagg, Smith, Mils.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Heh, the All Blacks have the most depth out of any country by far. The Wallabies are the ones that should be complaining, where their top players are generally the only good ones.

I mean take a look at these centre combos:

12. Nonu 13. Smith
12. SBW 13. Freuan
12. McAlister 13. Payne

What do the Wallabies have? 12. Who knows? 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)? Any one of the those 6 Kiwi centres would walk into our side. We've lost Drew Mitchell, our best winger by far. Kiwis still got Maitland, Guildford, Gear, Masaga, Ranger, Rokocoko, Poki and fullbacks like Dagg, Smith, Mils.

Your first-five craps all over ours. If Carter is injured, we're looking at Stephen Donald as being the next best specialist no.10. In contrast you have Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes and James O'Connor.

 

[qwerty51]

Well yes that's our only part of depth. Deans seems to be stuck on the idea we need a ball player at 12 while I'm not convinced, I'd prefer a Nonu/SBW type player. Our centres are a huge worry, as well as wings.

By contrast, here's a Wallaby injury list, some might be back, just going off who was injured last week

1. Daley
2. TPN
3. Slipper
4. Vickerman
5.
6. Elsom
7. Waugh
8. Palu
9.
10.
11. Mitchell
12. Horne
13. Inman
14. Ioane
15.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Well yes that's our only part of depth. Deans seems to be stuck on the idea we need a ball player at 12 while I'm not convinced, I'd prefer a Nonu/SBW type player. Our centres are a huge worry, as well as wings.

I like the look of Australia's depth at halfback, hooker and blindside flanker as well.

 

[Gagger]

I reckon the bigger one's McCaw. IMO leadership's scarce around the New Zealand team and when Sir Richies missing there's been no-one to look to (Read firming admittedly). It's always been when Aus has had it's best chance.

I do agree with you Ali on lack of backup for Carter, although his mortal goal kicking this season has tempered his replaceability in a tourny somewhat?

 

[Ali's Choice]

I reckon the bigger one's McCaw. IMO leadership's scarce around the New Zealand team and when Sir Richies missing there's been no-one to look to (Read firming admittedly). It's always been when Aus has had it's best chance.

I do agree with you Ali on lack of backup for Carter, although his mortal goal kicking this season has tempered his replaceability in a tourny somewhat?

Whilst I agree that Carter's goal kicking has been inconsistent in recent years, he's been okay this season, from memory kicking over 80% which is pretty much better than all other regular Kiwi goal kickers.

 

[PaarlBok]

Your first-five craps all over ours. If Carter is injured, we're looking at Stephen Donald as being the next best specialist no.10. In contrast you have Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes and James O'Connor.

Matt Giteau, Kurtley Beale.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think we are well served at 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15. Outside centre is a problem if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) doesn't come good, as Horne looks like being done for the season and Morts is too old.

 

[Ali's Choice]

I think we are well served at 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15. Outside centre is a problem if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) doesn't come good, as Horne looks like being done for the season and Morts is too old.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is one of the best midfielders in the world, and I've yet to see him play poorly in Wallaby colours.

 

[qwerty51]

Well served at wing and inside? I dunno, I don't rate anyone there tbh now that Mitchell is gone. I would take any of those Kiwis I mentioned over our lot.

Yeah AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been great with the Wallabies so far AC but his form thus far this season has been very poor. Even so, the Brumbies are about/have benched him. Although that could be because he's going to the Tahs next season.

 

[Scotty]

I strongly believe that new Zealand will win this world cup. And I believe they deserve it.

 

[Bowside]

NZ could have their whole first team injured and still field one of if not the best team in the tournament. If they don't win this world cup there is something seriously wrong with their system....

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is one of the best midfielders in the world, and I've yet to see him play poorly in Wallaby colours.

Me either, but I think we could be forgiven for being a bit worried about how he's playing right now.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Well served at wing and inside? I dunno, I don't rate anyone there tbh now that Mitchell is gone. I would take any of those Kiwis I mentioned over our lot.

Yeah AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been great with the Wallabies so far AC but his form thus far this season has been very poor. Even so, the Brumbies are about/have benched him. Although that could be because he's going to the Tahs next season.

Yep, well served at wing and inside centre.

At 12, we have a choice of Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor) and Giteau
On the wings, Turner, Ioane, Gerrard, Davies, Morahan, JOC (James O'Connor) (should Deans opt for Barnes at 12) and maybe Cummins

We have options. JOC (James O'Connor) has to be on the paddock somewhere and with him playing either wing or 12, I think we would go Turner and Ioane on the wings or Ioane and JOC (James O'Connor) with Barnes at inside centre.

 

[Ali's Choice]

I strongly believe that new Zealand will win this world cup. And I believe they deserve it.

I actually believe we will too. And as an AB fan I know that will be looked upon as being extremely arrogant. But I genuinely believe we will win.