All Black Training Squad

First topic message reminder :

Blues: Charlie Faumuina, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock.

Chiefs: Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna and Sonny Bill Williams.

Hurricanes: Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith and Victor Vito.

Crusaders: Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock and Samuel Whitelock.

Highlanders: Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.

How Robbie Fruean has not been selected is beyond me? he has been absolutely mesmerizing in attack this season and put in some big hits and quality cover tackles.in defence, something which he has improved immeasurably. He's absolutely gas and extremely powerful, always breaching the gainline. I'd put him in my world XV, so the fact he didn't make the All Black training squad is dumbfounding.

Other notable omissions include Matt Todd, who has played very well this season in McCaws absence. I would also have liked to have seen TJ Perenara given a chance to impress. Whilst Masaga and Andre Taylor are unlucky not to get called up.

Thoughts?

Guilfords been brought in and blackadders denied the nonu thing.
Jane is bit of a knock as he covers the back well and is proven at the next level.

Andre Taylor now a 50/50 bet Hosea Gear has`nt helped himself inter mating if not picked he`s away.Hansen has said he values loyallty but Ben Smith could cover there,Maitland or Masaga maybe?Woodcocklooks iffy so Crockett to start?Mealamu out Hika Elliott can at least hit his lineout jumpers something Flynn and coles have been lacking in.

You're on the button. The word is Nonu's being chased by Crusaders. Guildford has been called up (assuming the press is right). Not sure about Taylor, could be Smith will beat him to it next week.

emack2 wrote:Andre Taylor now a 50/50 bet Hosea Gear has`nt helped himself inter mating if not picked he`s away.Hansen has said he values loyallty but Ben Smith could cover there,Maitland or Masaga maybe?Woodcocklooks iffy so Crockett to start?Mealamu out Hika Elliott can at least hit his lineout jumpers something Flynn and coles have been lacking in.

Hosea Gear has turned down offer from Japan and will be in NZ next season.
Wants to give making ABs another crack.
He was the form wing of the 2010 AB Grand Slam tour.
If he regains that type of form....

True Hosea Gear forced his way into the squad 2010,BUT nothing like that form since.A Lucky Man a RWC winners medal just for holding a tackle bag !.

emack2 wrote:True Hosea Gear forced his way into the squad 2010,BUT nothing like that form since.A Lucky Man a RWC winners medal just for holding a tackle bag !.

He aint alone in that. The 1987 RWC Winning Captain spent a while holding tackle bags during that Tournament.
We tend to forget the unlucky Andy Dalton!

Dan Carter I'd say was even more unlucky than Dalton. Very possibly the most complete 10 to grace the game-injury forced him out of the last two tournaments and directly affected the ABs performances. I'm rapt he got a medal but I'm sure he wants to play a final in 2015.

Yes lol Gear was very lucky. Didn't the selectors already pick Guildford?

disneychilly wrote:Dan Carter I'd say was even more unlucky than Dalton. Very possibly the most complete 10 to grace the game-injury forced him out of the last two tournaments and directly affected the ABs performances. I'm rapt he got a medal but I'm sure he wants to play a final in 2015.

Yes lol Gear was very lucky. Didn't the selectors already pick Guildford?

DC was injured in 03 too disney - hence Leon MacDonald playing centre to kick goals because Spencer wasn't up to it, and Mehrts had been left at home.


PS, I am still firmly of the opinion that any AB coach who proposes playing a good fullback at centre should be staked out on the nearest anthill
Cullen in '99. MacDonald in '03. Muliaina in '07.

Too true KRD. We had the most devastating back four in history, with three of them out of position!

I couldn't remember DC being injured in 03 mate. I remember the stink as Umaga was fit to play and Mortlock had a field day against MacDonald. plus no Mehrts and Cullen in the squad...ahhh!

That's why I said if Conrad plays at 13 we will win the world cup!
It is now clear that 10 is not that important.