All Black World Cup Squad

[Bullrush]

so like Howlett ....................................

Pre-injury, Howlett was flippin' lightning and could beat anyone one-on-one.

Then he got a couple of injuries that made him slower and a bit shit. Couldn't stand seeing him the ABs for a little while.

Then he became an unbelievable work-horse of a wing who chased every single kick and made the most out of every little opportunity that kinda, almost, maybe came his way on the field.

But back to the topic......sorry

 

[ACT Crusader]

Yes they have.

Sorry should have been more clear, at test level. So are you seriously hanging your hat on a single match (Munster) of him being an AB 12? Because that is the only match he has played at 12. He has never played there off the bench or been reshuffled there. And he has never played 10.

A couple of years ago he came off the bench and replaced Donald (who started at 12 outside Carter) but even then he moved to centre and Nonu moved to 12.

So the grand total of a Munster match at 12. Yep seems like the cartel have all the confidence of Toeava covering all backline positions????

 

[qwerty51]

I like young Whitelock, he has a hell of a workrate, would certainly rate him higher than Simmons, Vickerman, who has done nothing since returning from NH, and equal with Sharpe. Just look at his work rate against Boks on Sat,think he was in first 3 to almost all rucks. I agree Williams has become a liabilty, seems to think he is a bcak. All in all I can't argue with team, feel for Gear, but think Guilford just offer pace.

Have a look at your scrum without Thorn too. :lmao:

 

[Dan54]

Have a look at your scrum without Thorn too. :lmao:

Oh no probs Gwerty, I didn't mean to upset you, and I agree, but think the problem with scrum was more Ali Williams, and Liam Messam .
I think too many players forget to push in scrum, I not sure Thorn is only one who makes AB scrum. Actually now I think of it
AB scrum went ok without Thorn in early teats.

 

[qwerty51]

Chiefs would debate that.

 

[chriscullen]

If any kiwis in brissy would like to see the All Blacks captains run on Friday then you can email captainsrun@nzrugby.co.nz
You will need to supply a nz passport number and name in the email and this will be checked at the gate I think.

 

[antipodean]

Sorry should have been more clear, at test level.

Goal posts moving...

Yep seems like the cartel have all the confidence of Toeava covering all backline positions?

Begging the question. I said he could, not that the Triumvirate have him there specifically as Carter's deputy.

 

[qwerty51]

If any kiwis in brissy would like to see the All Blacks captains run on Friday then you can email captainsrun@nzrugby.co.nz
You will need to supply a nz passport number and name in the email and this will be checked at the gate I think.

Wow. Precious much!

 

[Ash]

Saying that the locks may be a weakness, I reckon the strength of the ABs will be the backrow of McCaw, Kaino and Read, and the midfield of Carter, Nonu/SBW, Smith.

Both units would probably be the strongest in the tournament (with Juan Smith being out).

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Nobody outside NZ has really rated our locks for about 8 or 9 years so nothing new there!

 

[AngrySeahorse]

On the second rowers, as a fellow Donnelly I feel for Tom Donnelly (and I'm just a little biased there), injuries ruined him of any chance of being picked but if he was fully fit I'd say him in the AB's second row would be stronger. Donnelly was playing his ring out in the ABs jersey when he was fit & if had of kept going injury free I'd say he wouldve been in there. But if I was an AB supporter I'd be pretty happy with the squad that's been picked.

 

[PaarlBok]

Surprise to see SBW, Thomson, Ali Williams in there after saturdays performance. SBW is easily the most overrated player in NZ, Williams is a has been and Thomson just dog shite.

 

[BPC]

Thorn in early teats.

The mind boggles.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Goal posts moving...


Begging the question. I said he could, not that the Triumvirate have him there specifically as Carter's deputy.

"Could" based on what exactly? Sonny Bill could. Nonu could given he played half a club rugby game at 10 a few weeks back. I just love how some throw blanket statements out there when the cartel have shown very little if any interest in doing just that.

 

[antipodean]

"Could" based on what exactly?

His skill set and experience.

Sonny Bill could.

Bullshit.

 

[ACT Crusader]

A couple of NPC games and he's got 10 experience? Not in my eyes.

Anyway it's all good ant

I'm pleased with the squad. Even like the Guildford inclusion especially the way he and Dagg play together definitely is a combo for the future but both have decent enough form.

Vito over Messam, I bet that one was done on the stats rather than the "feel".

Boric I like but he is a risk if any of the other 3 pick up an injury and he is forced to play a must win game with very little under the belt.

 

[Ruggo]

Nobody outside NZ has really rated our locks for about 8 or 9 years so nothing new there!

I rated Chris Jack.

 

[T.Rugby]

Jane is a big game player. Guildford is lucky imo - he didn't do much and Sivi played well in his limited opportunities. I guess they know Zac's workrate is always good and he has outright speed. Gear simply didn't do enough to shine. Unfortunate if the game doesn't come to you. Crockett's work around the park will be missed, but in his primary job he has become Baxterish. Messam's chance against the Springbok showed he needs another 10kg; athletic as a back, but doesn't dominate the collision against other loose forwards. Probably why Vito got the nod instead. Boric fit should be a starting lock with Brad Thorn.

To be honest I thought Messam was quiet in the game against the Sprinboks, but he definetly got over the advantage line every time he got the ball... can think of him twice bumping off players off the back of the scrum.

 

[Skippy]

In defence of SBW as there has been some criticism of his selection, when I watched Saturday's SA test he just looked off colour to me. As soon as he ran on the field he looked a bit gaunt in the face and his imposing frame didn't look as 'filled out' as usual.
Then I realised he was on Ramadan and had been for several weeks. At my gym there are a lot of Pakistani/Asian lads who tell me they routinely lose a stone or more every year whilst on Ramadan. Of course not eating during daylight hours in one thing but they tell me, it doesn't mean you sit up all night eating either. So they tend to just get by on a small meal after dark another before bed and one early in the morning before prayer.
Now if these blokes find it hard, I imagine a massive 100 plus kilo professional athlete like SBQ must struggle immensely.... and then turn up and try and play a test match on top of that - fair play to the bloke.
Also.. 12 is not his best spot in my opinion. He is best served getting a good cut out pass sent to him at 13 and being able to extend his arm to palm off a defender and work with a bit more room to move, room to offload etc.
Don't write the bloke off... If he was Aussie he's be in our team and nothing scares me more in the WC than SBW coming off the bench with 25 minutes to go in the knock out rounds as he has match winning ability (and match losing, but hey Quade's got that also!).

 

[da_grubster]

Surprise to see SBW, Thomson, Ali Williams in there after saturdays performance. SBW is easily the most overrated player in NZ, Williams is a has been and Thomson just dog shite.

Thats a bit harsh Paarl. we put an experimental team out on Saturday that didnt come off. Hard to base their whole playing careers on that game. SBW has made the Cape boys his bitches this year so perhaps this has your knickers in a twist.

Although having said that, his intl form isnt as strong as his S15 form but he won't be used in the big games. A Williams hasnt got back to his best and will probably be on the bench or in the stands. Thomson is a very good utility but not a great 7 in a retreating pack but then again, who is?