A couple of Suprises in the All Blacks touring squad

[aqua_duck]

This is what i feel the All Black Squad, at full strength without any injuries, would have looked like:

* Tony Woodcock (Greg Somerville, Neemia Tialata)
* Anton Oliver (Kevin Mealamu, Derren Witcombe)
* Carl Hayman (John Afoa, Campbell Johnstone)
* Ali Williams (James Ryan, Tom Donnelly)
* Chris Jack (Jono Gibbes, Angus MacDonald)
* Jerry Collins (Sione Lauaki, Chris Newby, Jerome Kaino)
* Richie McCaw (Marty Holah, Josh Blackie, Chris Newby)
* Rodney So’oialo (Nick Williams, Mose Tuiali’i, Chris Masoe)
* Byron Kelleher (Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan)
* Daniel Carter (Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger)
* Sitiveni Sivivatu (Ma’a Nonu, Brent Ward)
* Aaron Mauger (Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister)
* Tana Umaga (Anthony Tuitavake, Mils Muliaina)
* Joe Rocokoko (Doug Howlett, Rico Gear)
* Mils Muliaina (Leon McDonald, Nick Evans)

(Greg Somerville & Neemia Tialata can play both loosehead & tighthead, but with two tightheads already available in John Afoa & Campbell Johnstone, & with Somerville & Tialata being key players, Saimone Taumoepeau - Aucklands loosehead prop - is very unlucky to miss out. Kevin Senio is also slightly edged out.)

I'd have Mealamu ahead of Oliver purely on what Mealamu showed in the tri nnations.

 

[aqua_duck]

Its like the Aussie situation with Waugh and Smith. Main difference is Jones still wants both in the side where as Henry is going for the verstlity.

Also the aussies don't have much to choose from in regards to a genuine number 6. There's Rocky Elsom and Hugh McMenimem and Dan Heenan, but they're not in the same league as COllins and Lauaki.

 

[aussies1st]

Also the aussies don't have much to choose from in regards to a genuine number 6. There's Rocky Elsom and Hugh McMenimem and Dan Heenan, but they're not in the same league as COllins and Lauaki.

Collings and Lauaki are big running guys. Aus certainly doesn't have one of those going around. Owen Fingen was the last one and he was quite good in the lineouts. Since him there isn't much going around.

 

[aussies1st]

This is what i feel the All Black Squad, at full strength without any injuries, would have looked like:

* Tony Woodcock (Greg Somerville, Neemia Tialata)
* Anton Oliver (Kevin Mealamu, Derren Witcombe)
* Carl Hayman (John Afoa, Campbell Johnstone)
* Ali Williams (James Ryan, Tom Donnelly)
* Chris Jack (Jono Gibbes, Angus MacDonald)
* Jerry Collins (Sione Lauaki, Chris Newby, Jerome Kaino)
* Richie McCaw (Marty Holah, Josh Blackie, Chris Newby)
* Rodney So’oialo (Nick Williams, Mose Tuiali’i, Chris Masoe)
* Byron Kelleher (Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan)
* Daniel Carter (Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger)
* Sitiveni Sivivatu (Ma’a Nonu, Brent Ward)
* Aaron Mauger (Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister)
* Tana Umaga (Anthony Tuitavake, Mils Muliaina)
* Joe Rocokoko (Doug Howlett, Rico Gear)
* Mils Muliaina (Leon McDonald, Nick Evans)

(Greg Somerville & Neemia Tialata can play both loosehead & tighthead, but with two tightheads already available in John Afoa & Campbell Johnstone, & with Somerville & Tialata being key players, Saimone Taumoepeau - Aucklands loosehead prop - is very unlucky to miss out. Kevin Senio is also slightly edged out.)

Evans, Ward and Newby and co weren't even picked in this squad so they obviously aren't in the top 40 odd regardless of injuries. The starting side itself looks right though.

 

[ThrashViking]

Eaton? Toeava? Tialata? Masoe? Honest to god...
How does Toeava get selected when he isnt good enough to play on Aucklands bench? Tialata? He cant even dominate Dunning in the scrums.
How did Nick Evans miss out on selection? Or Craig Newby? Tom Donnelly? Josh Blackie?
What the f**k Holah done wrong?

 

[ThrashViking]

& No Kaino? The guys a beast, easily the stand out number 8 in this years NPC.

 

[aussies1st]

Toeava is one of those players that is rated highly like Carter was.
I don't know how Blackie and Newby keep missing out, Masoe did do a good job this season though. Eatson was the biggest surpise. No explaniation for him.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Evans, Ward and Newby and co weren't even picked in this squad so they obviously aren't in the top 40 odd regardless of injuries. The starting side itself looks right though.

Evans & Newby definately deserved spots, regardless of the selected squad. Marty Holah wasn't selected, & do you personally IYHO belivee he warrants at least a squad position? He should have been one of the first picked. Ward should have been there over Toeava (just slightly, & both are better than Blair), & Tom Donnelly is twice the player Eaton is. I was stating my personal strongest squad, not what the selectors picked.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Nick Williams is also someone who i feel could vie for the No. 8 position, but he wasn't in the squad. Jono Gibbes & Derren Witcombe are both injured, but when not injured, they'd definately be there.

I will repeat, that at FULL STRENGTH, with NO injuries, the squad would look something like this (for those who CBF looking at the top of the page).

* 1. Tony Woodcock (Greg Somerville, Neemia Tialata)
* 2. Kevin Mealamu (Anton Oliver, Derren Witcombe)
* 3. Carl Hayman (John Afoa, Campbell Johnstone)
* 4. Ali Williams (James Ryan, )
* 5. Chris Jack (Tom Donnelly, Angus MacDonald)
* 6. Jerry Collins (Sione Lauaki, Chris Newby, Jerome Kaino)
* 7. Richie McCaw (Marty Holah, Josh Blackie, Chris Newby)
* 8. Rodney So’oialo (Nick Williams, Mose Tuiali’i, Chris Masoe)
* 9. Byron Kelleher (Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan)
* 10. Daniel Carter (Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger)
* 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (Ma’a Nonu, Brent Ward)
* 12. Aaron Mauger (Luke McAlister, )
* 13. Tana Umaga (Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu)
* 14. Joe Rocokoko (Doug Howlett, Rico Gear)
* 15. Mils Muliaina (Leon McDonald, Nick Evans)

* 1st Reserve - Jono Gibbes (best lock/flanker utility available - automatic selection as a utility reserve when fit)

Eaton & Toeava shouldn't be there, whereas Nick Williams, Nick Evans, Tom Donnelly, Josh Blackie, Chris Newby, & Jerome Kaino all deserved possible selection, with Saimone Taumoepeau, Anthony Tuitavake & Kevin Senio unlucky to miss out.

 

[Te Kaha]

A couple of pionts with that lot....

- Mealamu is now the no 1 hooker.
- Eaton is a lock so why you would want to change him for Tuitavake or Ward is beyond me.
- Gibbs is NOT in the top half dozen locks or Blindsides. He IS one of the top Lock/Flanker utility.
- Ma'a Nonu is a centre playing wing.. he wouldn't be in the top three wings in the country
- Conrad Smith has never played 2nd 5/8.. he would be 2nd for Centre

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Ok edited. Now i am short ONE lock, & ONE 2nd 5/8. Help?

 

[Te Kaha]

Ok edited. Now i am short ONE lock, & ONE 2nd 5/8. Help?

Locks.. Eaton and Rawlinson(when he is eligble)

2nd five... thats where Nonu and Umaga can play.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

How about you just edit my squad 'cause i am a little lost...

 

[Southern Warrio]

Mcalister out, Evans in.

Good news for Evans.

 

[aussies1st]

Evans does give the side that extra verstility given he can also play fullback.

 

[douglasallen91]

auckland prop on standby for sommerville (i not going to name him - haha)

ali williams out of first game.

eaton and masoe was a standout with eaton awesome in the lineout and is slighty better around the field. it wasn't like no one knew about him mexted has been hinting at it all npc season.

i would hav had newby in their instead of angus macdonald or lauaki. and johnstone instead of can't scrum afoa.

 

[bayrep]

Good to see Evans given the call up Mcalister looked lost in a few of the big games during the NPC.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Locks.. Eaton and Rawlinson(when he is eligble)

2nd five... thats where Nonu and Umaga can play.

I am lost? Isn't this right or am i confusing some players in different positions? This is the finalised one AT FULL STRENGTH (i know Gibbes & Witcombe are out people, but at full strenth means no injuries - best players available):

* 1. Tony Woodcock (Greg Somerville, Neemia Tialata)
* 2. Kevin Mealamu (Anton Oliver, Derren Witcombe)
* 3. Carl Hayman (John Afoa, Campbell Johnstone)
* 4. Ali Williams (James Ryan, Jason Eaton)
* 5. Chris Jack (Tom Donnelly, )
* 6. Jerry Collins (Sione Lauaki, Craig Newby, Jerome Kaino)
* 7. Richie McCaw (Marty Holah, Josh Blackie, Craig Newby)
* 8. Rodney So’oialo (Mose Tuiali’i, Chris Masoe, Nick Williams)
* 9. Byron Kelleher (Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan)
* 10. Daniel Carter (Luke McAlister, Nick Evans)
* 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (Ma’a Nonu, Sosene Anesi)
* 12. Aaron Mauger (Luke McAlister, Seilala Mapusua)
* 13. Tana Umaga (Conrad Smith, Neil Brew)
* 14. Joe Rocokoko (Doug Howlett, Rico Gear)
* 15. Mils Muliaina (Leon McDonald, Brent Ward)

* 1st Reserve - Jono Gibbes (best lock/flanker utility available - automatic selection as a utility reserve when fit)

Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Nick Williams, Nick Evans, Tom Donnelly, Josh Blackie, Craig Newby, & Jerome Kaino all deserved possible selection in the real squad (therefore winning spots in my squad), with Saimone Taumoepeau, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava & Kevin Senio unlucky to miss out.

 

[aussies1st]

Ward a backup for number 11? NZ have a number of other wingers left.
12 there is Mafi from the Naki, Mapsuara(sp), Tipoki.

 

[Southern Warrio]

Angus Macdonlad is considered a six not a lock by the All Black selectors

It's CRAIG Newby, and JASON Eaton

Nick William would not be the next best 8, until he can up his work rate.

Have a look at the Otago Canterbury round robin game, and you will see why Mauger should never be seen as a first five. Evans, Donald, Gopperth,Lavea and McAlister would be better.

Second fives, Mapusua, Nonu, McAlister, Toeava, Tuitipou and Umaga are all options.

Centre, how could you leave out Neil Brew? Guys like Tuitavake and Mils could be used there.

Evans isn't a fullback anymore.