All Blacks Squad

[HodgoBerro]

Just named

No Tialata, No Rokococo

Jarryd Hoeota the bolter

BACKS: Mils Muliaina, Hosea Gear, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Colin Slade.

FORWARDS: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock

Injury replacements: Wyatt Crockett, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith.

 

[tigerland12]

Wyatt Crocket injury replacement? Now that's is a horrible decision, he has been in outstanding form. Same with Rene Ranger, both had great super rugby seasons.

Edit: No Robbie Fruen either?

 

[Swarley]

No Crockett, Ranger, Mathewson, Cruden or Sivivatu? Thank God

 

[en_force_er]

Flynn getting the nod over Elliot seems silly to me, I really thought Elliot stepped up into the black jersey last year.

Anyway, it's not my team so not my problem.

 

[aussie1st]

Wyatt Crockett robbed, how does Ben Franks the reserve prop get in ahead of him?

 

[disco]

A few suprising non selections in that bunch. A real headache when it comes to selecting the centre pairing but as always a very strong squad.

I'm surprised that they haven't picked Ranger & Crockett.

 

[tigerland12]

I thought Israel Dagg was goin to be out for a lot longer?

 

[Brumby Jack]

Bit more to add to Hodgo's post...

The squad, which will be captained by All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs and packs huge experience with 1028 Test caps between them.

There is a sole new All Black in the squad, Highlanders and Taranaki lock Jarrad Hoeata, who started every match for the Highlanders this year in his outstanding second Investec Super Rugby season. The 27–year–old, who was born in Tauranga, made his provincial debut in 2006, played for the New Zealand Sevens team the same year and also featured strongly for New Zealand Maori in last year’s Sealord Centenary Series.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “We are excited to be naming this first squad of the year in what is undoubtedly a huge year not only for the All Blacks but the country as a whole.”

Henry also offered his congratulations to Hoeata: “He is the only new All Black selected so this will be a very special moment for him. He thoroughly deserves his selection and we congratulate him.”

Four players named in the Investec Tri Nations squad are recovering from injuries – Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle) – so the All Blacks selectors have also announced that four players will assemble with the squad as injury cover: Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, Hurricanes winger Cory Jane, Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and Highlanders winger Ben Smith.

Henry said they were confident that the rehabilitation plans in place for the four injured players would see them play some part in the Investec Tri Nations.

“They are all making good progress on their individual rehab plans and will play some ITM Cup games before returning to Test match rugby.”

The squad also sees the return of a number of players to the All Blacks, most notably 61–Test Blues and All Blacks lock Ali Williams who made his rugby comeback this year after two years out of the game with Achilles and shoulder injuries. Corey Flynn, Richard Kahui and Piri Weepu also return to the All Blacks after injury ruled them out of contention for last year’s Telecom BackingBlack Grand Slam tour to the Northern Hemisphere.

One player, Blues and North Harbour lock Anthony Boric was not considered due to the foot injury, suffered in the Blues’ Investec Super Rugby Finals Series qualifying match against the Waratahs last month.

“Our first Test against Fiji in Dunedin will be an important first step in our season, plus there’s extra significance because we are playing for the people of Canterbury. The thoughts of the team are still with the folk of Canterbury as they try to rebuild their lives so we hope we see as many fans as possible at Carisbrook for this fundraising match,” Henry added.

“The Investec Tri Nations also remains an important competition for the team this year. We are proud of the record we have achieved over the years and the fact that we have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and it is crucial as we look to build towards the Rugby World Cup.”

The All Blacks will continue their preparations with a two–day camp in Auckland next week (Thursday and Friday). The team will then assemble in Dunedin on Monday 18 July to prepare for the Test against Fiji at Carisbrook on Friday 22 July.

The All Blacks kick off their Investec Tri Nations campaign the following weekend on Saturday 30 July against South Africa at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, followed by the first 2011 Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday 6 August. The All Blacks away leg of the Investec Tri Nations will see them play South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 20 August and Australia in Brisbane on Saturday 27 August.

 

[barbarian]

Corey Jane's omission can only be good news for the Force.

 

[Blue]

Woodcock ahead of Crocket will go down as one of the most ridiculous selection decisions.

Ever.

Good for the opposition though.

 

[light]

Woah. what a stuff up by the Kiwi's, that squad will be lucky to beat the Springboks without Crockett, Fruen and Ranger. They are also in dire straits if they lose Carter at any point. Cruden unlucky. out of that list what would be the first choice 22?

1. Tony Woodcock - Would have Crockett anyday, Crusader combination proven to work well. Woodcock is no slouch however.
2. Kevin Mealamu - Easy best hooker in kiwi land.
3. Owen Franks - Could go with John Afoa but Franks is head and shoulders above.
4. Sam Whitelock - IMO better than Thorne and Williams. Gets through more work around the paddock, may be overlooked.
5. Brad Thorn - Provides experience and has been a servant to NZ rugby
6. Keiran Reid - Part of all conquering Crusaders backrow, would have him in my XV any day of the week
7. Richie McCaw (C) - Sir Richie, enough said.
8. Jerome Kaino - Standout performer and proven at international level. Questionable fitness against the Reds but will shine in quality forward pack.
9. Piri Weepu - Not much else but is proven and consistent enough.
10. Dan Carter - Still better than Quade in my book, key to the team. NZ stuffed if he goes down.
11. Zac Guildford - Prefer Sitiveni Sivivatu but we can't all have nice things. This kids too raw even with his explosion onto the scene this season. I'd have him based on giving him experience and his speed.
12. Ma'a Nonu - Here only because I don't like SBW. Servant to NZ rugby, plays important part of experienced backline combination.
13. Conrad Smith - Best 13 they got, similar to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for the WOBS. Runs straight and has good combination with Nonu.
14. Israel Dagg - If fit, can be explosive.
15. Mils Muliaina - Experienced head, safe choice and never lets anyone down.

16. Andrew Hore - Not a fan of Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa - Ben Franks is surely 4th choice behind Wyatt Crockett aswell
18. Ali Williams - Nothing else, could make XV if Thorne goes down. Those two pretty even in my opinion, Thorn more experienced.
19. Liam Messam/Adam Thomson- Pick on form, Messam would have more impact off bench
20. Andy Ellis/Jimmy Cowan - Whichever, both wouldn't be in my 22. Mathewson in an ideal NZ team.
21. Sonny Bill Williams - Don't get me started could be a bolter for #12. I'd prefer Rene Ranger or Robbie Fruen.
22. Hosea Gear- Got no one else, Cory Jane would be my choice but they clearly don't like him.

All Blacks will pay the price this year for their last few years of domination, their best players are slowly getting older and harder to drop. Will have the same problem the WOBS had a few years back in which loyalty to players meant more than form. Solid team that will challenge but they have picked the wrong players in key positions and ignored the form of others. My thoughts won't be echoed across the ditch but this is my thoughts, WOBS will have too much pace and depth, Bokkies will be challenged by the Kiwi's and IMO beaten. Will be punished if they lose Carter for even 20minutes. Will need to bring in the likes of Rene Ranger, Cory Jane, Wyatt Crockett, Robbie Fruen, Albie Mathewson, Aaron Cruden for the WC.

IMO way too many Hurricanes throughout the squad and Blues seem to be overrepresented in the forwards..

 

[Newb]

Jeez no room for Todd or Maitland either. Care to send some of these young blokes our way?

 

[Godfrey]

Some odd choices in the extended squad but, as always, the matchday 22-day is going to be very, very hard to overcome for any side.

 

[Garryowen]

Crockett and Sivivatu shock omissions in my view. Also think Freuen is unlucky.

 

[spectator]

I'm surprised at the omissions of Maitland and Ranger, but NZ has a whole factory of quality wingers. I also thought Freuen would be a big chance but I guess Smith and Kahui cover 13.

 

[Lee Grant]

There were a few surprises there.

• There was talk about Cruden being promoted again to replace the Duck as Carter back-up but Slade is the right choice. He missed a lot of the Super season but we can remember in Sydney last year how he lifted the team when he replaced Cruden.

• Flynn is a poor choice as 3rd hooker. He has had problems throwing to the lineout for much of his career and he can be a penalty magnet to boot. Hika Elliot was unlucky.

• There's not many specialist wingers there. Was a bit surprised that both Sivi and Joe Rock missed out though I have always thought picking both of them in an All Black starting team was a mistake as they are much the same kind of player. Surprised that Guildford made it after last night but the team was probably picked during the week.

• Ben Smith of the Highlanders may have got a winger berth ahead of him in the 30 man squad, or ahead of Dagg as an all-rounder. Jane was lucky to make the reserves as I thought that he took a step back this year. Maitland was unlucky.

• Am not surprised that Freuen missed out, though his time could come later. There is a whiff of Casey Laulala about him: not quite a footie player yet. No McAlister is correct: he had some abominable Super games this year mixed in with some goodies.

• Crockett will get a run from the reserves before Woodcock gets back but I guess he is disadvantaged because he is a specialist LHP and the other 4 can all play there. There may have been an argument for Afoa to miss out because the older Franks can do what Afoa does – play both heads with equal facility; but Crockett is unlucky.

• Hoeata is a good choice in the absence of Boric. He has been around a while but was a big improver in Super Rugby in a hard nosed way and deserves his gig.

 

[Ruggo]

As odd as this side looks, it will still fire. That is the worrying part.

 

[Slim 293]

It's a very experienced team... you know it's going to be a quality side and I guess Henry has gone with the safety in that rather than take the risk with a few newbies who might add extra spark, or potentially fizzle in the test arena...

 

[Gnostic]

Is Ice Toeava still injured? He was in great form before he went down.

I am astounded that Crocket didn't get the nod, the Blues scrum was pretty ordinary with Woodock and Afoa obviously picked for his work away from the set piece (the Alexander of the Kiwis). A little surprised that Nonu got the gig over Fruen given his poor season, but then Nonu seems to be poor at provincial level every year. Elliot unlucky as he was clearly better than Flyn IMO for the reasons LG stated.

Got to be happy that Ranger isn't in the squad as I rate him much higher than aging Sivi or Rocks.

 

[Ash]

Woodcock has struggled at scrum time this season, and last as well, not to mention often struggling for form too. Will be stoked if he is at LH ahead of Crockett and one of the Franks brothers when we play them. Crockett is surely one of the leading scrummaging LHPs in the world right now (if not the leading), so his ommission is amazing to me.