NZ Selection headaches

Ellis Park and Twickenham were set out as challenges for NZ at the beginning of the year. The former due to the opponent and ground, the latter much to do with last year's results. After all 4 tests against France, for example, seems like a recipe for a banana skin at least and so it nearly proved. Now NZ face three more tests next June with England. Certainly they don't want to give England anymore momentum going into that tournament.

England go into this game with a few under an injury cloud. Quite a few actually. NZ have the luxury with being able to pick from the entire squad. That's the headache for Hansen. Retallick has been playing well so does he try Romano next week to give him a half and see where he stands or does he put in his extra bulk in the scrum to start and replace him after half an hour. 8 weeks out or more with a groin strain and is this the time to start experimenting?

Does he continue with the Carter rehab programme or does he start Cruden with Barrett on the bench. Carter's goal kicking may make that unlikely.

It's impossible to judge the scrums based on that pitch. Personally I thought we looked good in the opening scrums and then it looked dodgy. Owen Franks though for me added to the fringe defence and the same front row should start apart from water boy Hore coming in for Mealamu. I think Smith had a very mixed game notably with poor kicking and TKB was a try line hero but the status quo will remain there.

Savea should reclaim the left wing and Piutau on the right. That makes leaving Ben Smith at 13 but does Hansen go for security and drop Jane altogether to leave Crotty again on the bench? Similarly if Romano doesn't figure will Luatua cover lock and Cane for back row cover? Crockett has disappointed me on this tour but I imagine he and Faumuina will be persisted with on the bench.

My team would be;

1. Woody 2. Hore 3. Franks
4. Romano (30 mins or so) 5. Whitelock
6. Messam 7. McCaw 8. Read
9. Smith 10. Carter
12. Nonu 13 Smith
11. Savea 14 Piutau 15. Dagg

Crockett, Mealamu, Faumuina, Retallick, Cane, TKB, Barrett, Crotty

Luatua unlucky but start him against Ireland as a line out option at 6. Soak up early scrum pressure with Hore and Romano and unleash Retallick who grows strength to strength and the mole Mealamu in the second half. Goal kicking keeps Carter starting and Barrett impact sub when game opens up. Centre insurance policy at 13 keeps Crotty there and that back three with Smith can cover everything.

One final thing. There's talk of Piutau playing at centre for the Blues but Nonu, Saili, Marshall and him seems overkill. If Ben Smith keeps on as Conrad cover does he play there for the Highlanders or does he move back to 15 where he was a sensation? I think it's time to think of a specialist and keep him back at 14. Which begs the question who do you play among Jane, Piutau and Smith if Savea has the left wing sewn up? Jane is not getting younger so could he find it difficult like Carter who won't play early next year to find his way back into the team?

Hansen has some hard decisions like Woody, Hore, Mealamu, McCaw, Conrad Smith, Jane and Carter. Who will make 2015 and who should go to give more time to the players coming through. What do you think?

Next years a good talking point re England. Its probably meant more homework during the year than usual on England for this next match. Youre right about not giving them momentum for next year. Losing a one off last test is a bit different from losing to that side at home. Particularly if that means they go to no.1 which if the win all tests from here they will probably do.

Wil discuss the selections a bit later... 

I really hope carter has been saving himself and isn't the flaccid wang he appears to have become. Not taking a specialist centre on your was daft. Maybe A return to 12 for carter and nonu to 13? I know it has never ever worked, but it gives us more impact at 10 and better kicking options. Piutau and Savea give is the ball carrying grunt we'd lose. I'd start luatua over messam to be honest.

Defo Messam over Luatua- one of the first on the paper I'd say. His physicality is a must- I'd still go Retallick and the rest is good.

DC does need to step up for this with Conrad out. The others need direction and DC had a particularly horrid match last year in this so he's more points to prove here after being average last week as well.

Drat just posted on the wrong thread and now have changed my mind a bit.

The closest person we have to a specialist 13 is probably Crotty even though he's really a 12. I'd play him at 13 which pushes B Smith back to the wing. This means Piatau or Jane fight it out for the reserve spot which would probably go to Piatau on form. I'm a big Jane fan but he's just been out too long and hasn't had enough game time.

I think Retallick has been too good to leave off so that means Romano to the bench and Luatua L.R.O.
I'm not against having Carter at 12 but I don't like Nonu at 13

I too think Retallick has been outstanding. But his impact would be best used coming off the bench. Let Romano do the core work early on and then get him off. The other way round doesn't work for me.