All Black World Cup Squad

[crangs81]

No real surprises with that squad except Sivi being left out but maybe that's something more to do with the eye socket injury and lack of game time. Vito over Messam is just swapping apples for apples. Both expected to cover 8 when neither play any real time in that position for their clubs and franchises. Real lack of depth at 8 in the country. Boric a bit of a strange call but if Thorn and Whitelock get to peak form then i don't see him getting much of a look in in the starting line up.

 

[Ash]

Have to agree about Donnelly, looked potentially to be a solid test lock but ruined by injury.

I am wondering what the Kiwis think about Woodcock. I used to rate him very highly, but think he's struggled last season and this season, and he seems to keep picking up these niggling injuries. His scrummaging certainly isn't what it was a few years back. Woodcock is one that I think is being picked on past reputation (and we know a lot about that here in Aus, seeing as we have less depth and persist with players longer, generally), along with Williams. I reckon I would've taken Crockett instead. Unfortunately, with only 4 props sides must carry at least one guy who can play both sides, and so you'll really only ever see one specialist LHP in the squad, and that's Myth and Crockett loses out.

Oh, interesting to note that the All Blacks stuck with the no reserve fetcher (like Aus) selection, guess they will use Thomson (who plays like a 6.5 anyway) in an emergency like they did vs the Boks.

 

[tblackadder]

re SBW vs boks

he did not make his trade mark line breaking move or off loads

but in kahuis try he was used to draw in defenders and put the runner through the hole

also in daggs first break he drew in defenders and put dagg in the hole...so he contributed