All Blacks 2010

[disco]

Agreed Ruggo,
I don't think you'd lose much when starting Dagg instead of Jane or Muliaina he's a class player & is definitely test ready.

 

[Jury]

Neither do I, but then again I never have.

Was just reminded of another player probably ahead of Maitland. Israel Dagg too - he's a quality quality footballer.

And Biffo, that maybe true, but it all depends how it goes on the day. Bledisloe 1, 2001 in Dunedin there were 22 very fit, extremely skilled, well drilled, ambitious and committed players in teh starting lineup, but the second they hit the paddock, there was a bunch of headless chickens!

Anything is possible

I'm with you Rage. The Windy Strangler has never impressed me that much and I think he's a dirty player. I don't mind a hard player. I don't like dirty ones.

I'd like to have seen Dagg make it on the EoYT 2009, but he didn't and I hope his day will come.

 

[#1 Tah]

They seem to have some decent talent at 13. Smith, Ranger and Kahui all put their hands up this year and will be a handful for horne, Iaone or whoever is in the gold 13.

 

[cyclopath]

They seem to have some decent talent at 13. Smith, Ranger and Kahui all put their hands up this year and will be a handful for horne, Iaone or whoever is in the gold 13.

Smith is class, Kahui has been pretty good. Ranger can be dangerous, but equally could be a big liability in a Test match - he has his moments of "WTF????".
As a Kiwi I would have Smith every day of the week - bloody good footballer, and a lot smarter than he sounds (bit like Morty!).

 

[spectator]

Is Braid eligible for 2010? If so he'd have to be in the mix.

Also Rudi Wulf doesn't rate a mention. Very hander winger from what I have seen, as is Vainikolo from the Highlanders.

 

[DPK]

Toeava blow for All Blacks
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
May 24, 2010
Uh oh . . . Isaia Toeava has lost his long-running battle with a hip injury, forced into surgery that will take him out of the All Blacks equation just when they need him most. Photo: Getty Images

Isaia Toeava has lost his long-running battle with a hip injury, forced into surgery that will take him out of the All Blacks equation just when they need him most.

Toeava has been troubled by the mystery injury for more than a year now. He had cortisone injections and gritted his teeth to get through most of the Super 14 although he couldn't front for the last round win over the Chiefs.

The problem has been diagnosed as a bone spur that squeezes a nerve and he is hopeful surgery will remedy the problem.

With the World Cup looming next year he is looking for a long-term fix. But the All Blacks could do with the 24-year-old's utility value in the short-term given their lengthening injury list.

With Ma'a Nonu out of the equation with a knee injury, Toeava loomed as a possibility to help cover the midfield, something he has done with the All Blacks since debuting in 2005.

He has also played wing and fullback and has shown pleasing signs of maturity coming into his game. Toeava's bonus to the All Blacks has been his versatility, making him a regular in squad situations and match 22s.

There is a chance Toeava could be back for the end of year tour that will be pivotal to the All Blacks plans for next year.

But right now Graham Henry and the coaching staff are only interested in protecting an unbeaten record against Ireland in the season opening test in New Plymouth on June 12 and repulsing a worthy challenge from Wales in Dunedin and Hamilton the following two weekends.

They will be hoping the wash-up to the Crusaders' Super 14 semifinal loss is kind to them on the injury front.

Already they are without Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Mike Delany and Andrew Hore while Tom Donnelly and Mils Muliana are returning from injuries that kept them out of most of the Super 14 and are desperately short of match play.

Stuff.co.nz

Also a story suggesting So'oailo probably wont be selected for the All Blacks and mentions that he and David Smith have been released to play for the Barbarians against England and Ireland -> http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/sooialo-out-of-all-blacks-20100525-w9od.html

All Blacks squad named on Sunday

 

[ACT Crusader]

Good effort FP. Assuming Mils is not fit

1 Crockett Tialata
2 Mealamu
3 Franks
4 Thorn
5 Boric
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Read
9 Cowan
10 Carter
11 Rok
12 Nonu Kahui
13 Smith
14 Jane Smith
15 Toeva Jane

16 Rutledge
17 Franks
18 Bryn Evans
19 Thompson
20 Alby Mathewson Ellis
21 Brett *gulp* Donald
22 Guildford

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Toeava blow for All Blacks

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
May 24, 2010
.....snip....

Already they are without Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Mike Delany and Andrew Hore while Tom Donnelly and Mils Muliana are returning from injuries that kept them out of most of the Super 14 and are desperately short of match play.

Stuff.co.nz

[/b][/i]

Found this while lurking on Allblacks.com
http://www.allblacks.com/news/15000/Nottingham-lock-in-Williams

Championship club Nottingham have pulled off a major coup by signing New Zealand international lock Ali Williams on a short-term deal.

Williams, who has 61 All Black Test caps, has been given clearance by the New Zealand Rugby Union to begin his comeback from an Achilles injury at Meadow Lane.

The 29-year-old has barely played in the last two years but he will turn out for Nottingham in up to four of their five games in January.

Williams will then return home to play for the Auckland Blues in the Super 15 and push for a place in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad.

"I am excited to return to play and very grateful that Nottingham has given me this chance. I can't wait to put my boots on and hit the paddock," he said.

Nottingham have three league fixtures in January - against Moseley, Bristol and Bedford - and British Cup games at home to Munster and Melrose.

Williams will join a strong Kiwi contingent at Nottingham, including director of rugby Glenn Delaney, assistant coach Ben Herring, club captain Craig Hammond and the Championship's leading point-scorer James Arlidge.

Delaney said: "We are delighted to help Ali get back to playing after serious injury.

"Having a player of his calibre and experience at the club will be a huge benefit to the players and I am sure the supporters will be excited to have a world class player in their team."

Nottingham are currently sixth in the Championship

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Toeava blow for All Blacks

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
May 24, 2010
.....snip....

Already they are without Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Mike Delany and Andrew Hore while Tom Donnelly and Mils Muliana are returning from injuries that kept them out of most of the Super 14 and are desperately short of match play.

Stuff.co.nz

[/b][/i]

Found this while lurking on Allblacks.com
http://www.allblacks.com/news/15000/Nottingham-lock-in-Williams

Championship club Nottingham have pulled off a major coup by signing New Zealand international lock Ali Williams on a short-term deal.

Williams, who has 61 All Black Test caps, has been given clearance by the New Zealand Rugby Union to begin his comeback from an Achilles injury at Meadow Lane.

The 29-year-old has barely played in the last two years but he will turn out for Nottingham in up to four of their five games in January.

Williams will then return home to play for the Auckland Blues in the Super 15 and push for a place in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad.

"I am excited to return to play and very grateful that Nottingham has given me this chance. I can't wait to put my boots on and hit the paddock," he said.

Nottingham have three league fixtures in January - against Moseley, Bristol and Bedford - and British Cup games at home to Munster and Melrose.

Williams will join a strong Kiwi contingent at Nottingham, including director of rugby Glenn Delaney, assistant coach Ben Herring, club captain Craig Hammond and the Championship's leading point-scorer James Arlidge.

Delaney said: "We are delighted to help Ali get back to playing after serious injury.

"Having a player of his calibre and experience at the club will be a huge benefit to the players and I am sure the supporters will be excited to have a world class player in their team."

Nottingham are currently sixth in the Championship