All Blacks touring squad announced

[iamtheantichrist]

John Afoa Auckland (20 Test caps)
Anthony Boric North Harbour (10)
Dan Carter Canterbury (62)
Jimmy Cowan Southland (28)
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (1)
Mike Delany Bay of Plenty *
Stephen Donald Waikato (16)
Tom Donnelly Otago (1)
Jason Eaton Taranaki (13)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (11)
Tamati Ellison Wellington*
Corey Flynn Canterbury (5)
Owen Franks Canterbury (6)
Zac Guildford Hawke’s Bay *
Andrew Hore Taranaki (43)
Cory Jane Wellington (8)
Jerome Kaino Auckland (22)
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty (3)
Brendon Leonard Waikato (12)
Luke McAlister North Harbour (28)
Richie McCaw Canterbury (76) – captain
Liam Messam Waikato (2)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (77)
Ma’a Nonu Wellington (42)
Kieran Read Canterbury (12)
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (39)
Rodney So’oialo Wellington (60)
Ben Smith Otago *
Conrad Smith Wellington (29)
Adam Thomson Otago (12)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (33)
Neemia Tialata Wellington (37)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (58)
* denotes new cap
Fixtures:
Saturday 31 October, All Blacks vs Australia, National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 7 November, All Blacks vs Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 14 November, All Blacks vs Italy, San Siro Stadium, Milan
Saturday 21 November, All Blacks vs England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 28 November, All Blacks vs France, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Saturday 5 December, All Blacks vs Barbarians, Twickenham, London

 

[ozbash]

Sivivatu is a very lucky guy if form was a criteria for selection.

great to see Delaney and Guildford get a crack..

 

[aussies1st]

Some interesting new faces. Delany has come a long way, I believe he was on the bench for his Super 14 club.

 

[African Monkey]

Some interesting new faces. Delany has come a long way, I believe he was on the bench for his Super 14 club.

Yes and he will continue to stay on the bench now that he has turned down the oppotunity to play for the Blues.

On the squad, Ben Smith certainly is a surprise. Would have had Israel Dagg ahead of him but good luck to him.

 

[shiznit]

its a decent squad... Delaney should be a straight swap for Donald... and Cruden should be in...

and Ben Smith... i would have gone with Rene Ranger.... but then im a Northland supporter.

but i honestly cant understand why Ranger hasnt been given a chance yet... the guy is class.

ohh well... he will have to prove it again in super14 next year.

 

[African Monkey]

its a decent squad... Delaney should be a straight swap for Donald... and Cruden should be in...

and Ben Smith... i would have gone with Rene Ranger.... but then im a Northland supporter.

but i honestly cant understand why Ranger hasnt been given a chance yet... the guy is class.

ohh well... he will have to prove it again in super14 next year.

I agree with you in regards to Ranger but I think that he is a long way off an ABs jumper not that I would be complaining if he was there.

We do have a lot of depth at wing/fullback for the Super 14 next year with Rokocoko, Wulf, Tuitavake, Ranger, Williams, Toeava and there's always Pakalani and Thomas but they're a year or 2 off imo.

 

[shiznit]

I agree with you in regards to Ranger but I think that he is a long way off an ABs jumper not that I would be complaining if he was there.

We do have a lot of depth at wing/fullback for the Super 14 next year with Rokocoko, Wulf, Tuitavake, Ranger, Williams, Toeava and there's always Pakalani and Thomas but they're a year or 2 off imo.

yeah but would you have considered Ranger further away from an AB's jersey than Ben Smith a week ago.

i just dont get the logic...

 

[African Monkey]

yeah but would you have considered Ranger further away from an AB's jersey than Ben Smith a week ago.

i just dont get the logic...

No no and no. I still consider Ranger a better player than Smith but unfortunately I don't think that the AB selectors have considered Ranger. Hopefully another strong super 14 season will force the selectors into making a decision.