All Black squad of 30 contains a Weepu shocker
Roar Guru By KiwiDave, 4 Jun 2012 KiwiDave is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, New Zealand rugby, Piri Weepu, Rugby Union
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The All Blacks have trimmed their squad to 30 and while on the whole it looks balanced, there are a few surprises. The first thing most people will notice is the choices made for halfback.
Two have been chosen, one selected on experience and one as the up and comer. The choice of the experienced one is the contentious issue here.
Piri Weepu, despite an awful season and being unable to secure a starting spot in the Blues, the worst New Zealand Super Rugby side, gets the nod in the world champion side. Andy Ellis can consider himself very unlucky, losing out his spot to an out of form Weepu.
Weepu should not have made the 30 and the selectors should have told him to go away and drop 10 kgs. He is a walking liability at the moment and the worst halfback from the five NZ sides.
Mealamu, who is injured at the moment is another who can consider himself lucky. He wont even be available for the first test yet has made the 30. Hika Elliot will come in as an emergency for him in the first week.
Why not use the series to give Hika experience and let Mealamu spend the time recovering fully from his injury? He is injured and out of match practice.
Aside from that I like the look of the squad. The five outside backs between them have 28 games experience so the next generation is certainly looked after there. Here’s hoping the new kids get a decent run in the Irish test series.
What did you think?
All Blacks squad of 30 for the upcoming International Test season
Hookers
Andrew Hore Taranaki (62)
Keven Mealamu Auckland (92)
Props
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (6)
Ben Franks Tasman (15)
Owen Franks Canterbury (31)
Ben Tameifuna Hawke’s Bay *
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (83)
Locks
Brodie Retallick Bay of Plenty *
Luke Romano Canterbury *
Samuel Whitelock Canterbury (25)
Ali Williams Auckland (73)
Loose forwards
Sam Cane Bay of Plenty *
Richie McCaw (C) Canterbury (103)
Kieran Read Canterbury (36)
Adam Thomson Otago (24)
Victor Vito Wellington (13)
Halfbacks
Aaron Smith Manawatu *
Piri Weepu Auckland (56)
First five-eighths
Daniel Carter Canterbury (85)
Aaron Cruden Manawatu (9)
Beauden Barrett Taranaki *
Midfielders
Tamati Ellison Otago (1)
Ma’a Nonu Wellington (66)
Conrad Smith Wellington (55)
Sonny Bill Williams Canterbury (14)
Outside backs
Israel Dagg Hawke’s Bay (12)
Hosea Gear Wellington (8)
Zac Guildford Hawke’s Bay (8)
Ben Smith Otago (2)
Julian Savea Wellington *
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- Explore:
- All Blacks, New Zealand rugby, Piri Weepu, Rugby Union
June 4th 2012 @ 8:18am
formeropenside said | June 4th 2012 @ 8:18am | Report comment
I thought Weepu was playing LHP these days. His scrummaging needs a bit of work, but he has the right build.
June 4th 2012 @ 8:40am
stojo01 said | June 4th 2012 @ 8:40am | Report comment
Selectors Inconsistent quotes and comments
“we felt with Piri’s added ability to goal-kick, and play first five if we get a double-injury, they’re advantages”.
AND
“Barrett got the nod because they decided to carry the extra five-eighth, rather than halfback. “He’s a talented young man, can play a couple of positions and is one for the future too,” said Fox. “He can kick goals and gives us depth at 10 if we happen to get a ding.”
If Weepu breaks down, or goes off for a pie and a gasper, that puts a lot of weight on Aaron Smiths shoulders. Is Cruden finally the backup halfback?
“Piri is also the incumbent No 1 All Black halfback who played extremely well at the World Cup and without him I think we may have struggled to achieve what we achieved.”
As I remember the WC final Weepu tried a lazy kick pass to Reade which was gobbled up by Dusautoir and led to the French try. Seconds later he was sensibly pulled from the stage by Ted with a forty foot crook.
Don’t get me wrong I have been a Weepu fan over the years he has got the ABs over the line on his own at least three times I can remember. These days he relies too much on that natural ability and is nowhere near match fit.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:11am
Jerry said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:11am | Report comment
“As I remember the WC final Weepu tried a lazy kick pass to Reade which was gobbled up by Dusautoir and led to the French try.”
Weepu was actually playing injured in the final (which explains his poor goal kicking) but still produced a couple of very important plays that did a lot to get the AB’s over the line (winning the penalty that lead to Woodcock’s try and a last ditch ankle tap on a clean linebreak).
Under Henry there were many times an established player who was underperforming at Super Rugby level came into the AB environment and stepped up (eg Nonu and Weepu last year). I’m prepared to give Hansen the same chance.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:35am
stojo01 said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Look I agree Weepu deserves a chance but Ellis is at least getting decent game time so i would have gone for Ellis and Weepu in the first test and pulled in Smith for 2 and 3. The Irish are likely to be much more competitive in the scrums and combative at the rucks than anything that has happened in the Super 15 which suits Weepu even after taking into account Smith plays behind a similar sort of pack in the Highlanders.
I guess it comes down to there being no end of year tour to blood players last year so they’ve been carried over for this Irish series.
As for the kick pass in the WC final the whole issue was caused by there not being an AB pillar at the ruck and Weepu’s tendency to leave a ball at the back of a ruck to setup the next play which he won’t be able to do in future comps under the new 5 second rule. That also points to the reason why a quick dispatch player like Smith has been preferred over TKB or TJP. I just hope Cruden is practicing his box kicking skills.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:20am
all7days said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Its surprising, but in prepared to judge him under a proper coach… My guess is he is in this squad to give Ellis a break and to test piri against “easier” competition. He’ll either play into his great form of last year, or justify the dropping of him for the rugby championship.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:21am
Red Kev said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:21am | Report comment
It is a good squad with a few gambles.
TJ Perenara and Andre Taylor will be All Blacks soon without a doubt but I still think it is a mistake to not have selected them already.
Weepu over Ellis is a shocker and I sincerely hope it bites the ABs hard in the form of their first ever loss to Ireland.
I still think Ali Williams is past it, but he did have his best game of the season against the Chiefs this week so maybe there’s some fight left in the old dog yet.
Vito is getting better as Read’s backup but I have doubts over Sam Cane as McCaw’s backup (although maybe it is just that McCaw’s absence is such a big change that I’m judging him unfairly).
I will be interested to see if Hansen rates Crockett enough to select him (unlikely considering Woodcock’s form in my opinion) and to see if he has the stones to drop Nonu from the midfield (my read being that it is pretty unlikely no matter how deserved it would be).
June 4th 2012 @ 9:36am
all7days said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Those are all good points. It looks as if they continue the trend of taking super rugby form with a pinch of salt. the incumbent players will have to show they can’t perform at test level to be dropped. Nonu and Weepu were amazing last year. They get a chance to prove selection right or wrong
June 4th 2012 @ 9:59am
Team Taniwha said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:59am | Report comment
A pretty predictable squad really. I do feel for Ellis, has been playing quite well but that has been behind the Crusaders 8.
I watched with interest Cane’s game on Saturday and thought he easily got outplayed by Braid. I know he is in there to serve his apprenticeship, soak up from Ritchie and a couple of years will really coem on. If Ritchie gets hurt, I have no doubt they would move Thompson to 7 and bring on Vito.
Against the Boks and Aussies espically, if this were to happen I think it would dicing with death (though the Boks have left out Brussow so maybe not so much against them).
I do hope that the likes of Ranger and Fruen don’t became disillushioned and are lost to the NZ game. If they can lift their work rate and put consistent perfomances in, than will make it very hard for selectors to leave out.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:38am
Uncle Argyle said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Does Ben May rate at all with All Black selectors?
June 4th 2012 @ 11:09am
Moaman said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:09am | Report comment
May doesn’t appear to be ranked inside the top 7 or so props atm Uncle.
June 4th 2012 @ 11:30am
Uncle Argyle said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:30am | Report comment
I am not sure why though Moaman. I mean I think Tony Woodcock is one of the best looseheads of all time so I get that. I also think Owen Franks is an oustanding rugby player. Wyatt Crockett is quality but the other bloke from Hawkes Bay I dont really know much about. I thought both May and McKintsoh have had really good seasons thus far but also have a few years under their belt. Can you enlighten me as to why they would be out of favour with All Black selectors?
June 4th 2012 @ 11:54am
Moaman said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:54am | Report comment
Mate-what I know about props could be summed up on a postage stamp with room for doodling leftover.However I do know that according to reports i have read there are quite a few talked about as being ahead of May in the pecking order.Guys in favour seem to be Woodcock,O Franks,B Franks,Faumuina,Tameifuna,Ben Afeaki,Crockett. Ben Tameifuna got a big break when Afeaki was injured early at the Chiefs–he is the big mover,again leapfrogging another injured player in Faumuina(Blues).I expect Afeaki & Faumuina to supplant Crockett(who still has bind issues) and Tameifuna(one for the future) and put pressure on the incumbents.
Having said all that,May seems to have made quite a difference for the ‘Canes scrum and I’d love to hear the likes of Jeznez give his opinion on the subject.
June 4th 2012 @ 12:06pm
Kuruki said | June 4th 2012 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Ben May and Macintosh are not rated very highly in the scrum department , i think that is the key reason they have not made bigger strides. Tameifuna is just a kid but he can play both sides of the scrum and that is why he got in, he is more of an investment in the future and i think they just wanted to let Mike Cron get his hands on him early.
To be honest he is the lucky recipient of untimely injuries to Famuina and Ben Afeaki, and out of those two i think Afeaki will actually get the nod come end of year. At about 130 and 140 kilo Afeaki and Tameifuna are surprisingly skilled with ball in hand good passing good handling. Afeaki used to play water polo and is super fit and fast for his size. I think banking on the future will see Macintosh and May continue to be overlooked, these other guys have more potential and are already better at scrum-time.
June 4th 2012 @ 12:18pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 4th 2012 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
Thanks for that guys. Do you reckon the big boppers will have the lungs for Test Rugby? One thing for sure is McKintosh and May are not weak in the scrum but both have a good work rate around the park. I know Whopper already has a couple of tests for the All Blacks….wonder if May has an Australian born grand parent?
June 4th 2012 @ 12:50pm
Kuruki said | June 4th 2012 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
Tameifuna will struggle at this stage i reckon but i doubt he will play huge minutes. As for Afeaki he is super fit. 11 minutes 3km and 56 seconds 400m an ex water polo player with huge lung capcity who returned after a broken arm to play 80 quality minutes against the Bulls with no rugby under the belt, the guy is probably the fitter then most international props.
June 4th 2012 @ 1:47pm
Carnivean said | June 4th 2012 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Ben May is a massive penalty magnet, especially at scrum time. I think the was the most penalised person in S15 at one point. He’s been yellow carded for repeat infringements too, yet isn’t a 7.
He is a big unit, but hasn’t got it together at scrum time yet. The first few scrums against the Tahs showed what he and Toomaga-Allen are capable of, but after that they got beat up.
June 5th 2012 @ 6:54am
mania said | June 5th 2012 @ 6:54am | Report comment
bit suspect sround the field as well. not uncommon for him to lose possession when going to ground.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:44am
Jarmen said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:44am | Report comment
I don’t believe Weepu is that much of a contentious decision unless of course you come from Canterbury,
Weepu is a proven performer on the big stage and this can not be denied and as has been pointed out above he has did much more good in the WC final than he did bad.
The fact remains you can not coach class and instinct as Fox said yesterday and Piri has this in abundance.
Sure he has been out of form but he has dropped a massive 10kg since the beggining of the season and now under the tutelage of much better coaches Piri will surely shine.
Ellis and no disrespect to the guy plays behind one of the best packs in the competition and inside the best 10 in the world so his job whilst still difficult is made somewhat a little easier and therefore he tends to look a little better than what he actually is. At test level Ellis has proven to be a worthy 9 but he is not exceptional nor in the same class as Weepu or Cowan for that matter at his peak.
If anyone should feel hard done by in the 9 stakes it should be Perenara he is by far one of the form halfbacks of Super Rugby this year.
June 4th 2012 @ 1:55pm
Carnivean said | June 4th 2012 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
I’m from the other side of the ditch, and I think they’re nuts for having him there. TKB, Smith and Perenara are the new breed, and they’re ready to go now in the case of TKB and Smith. Ellis is performing better than Weepu, and has the combination with Read.
Weepu is selected on the back of being the World Cup winner, and hopefully some leadership within the playing group. I can think of no compelling reason coming from his playing form.
I would be testing some of the young guys in the Ireland series, and having an experienced HB on the bench. Weepu might be that guy on the grounds of his ability to cover 9 and 10, saving a bench spot, however that means leaving Cruden off the bench.
Ellis for 60 then Smith for 20 in the first, then Smith for 60-80 and Ellis on the bench for the second. Depending on how Smith goes, TKB to start the third and Ellis as backup, or Smith to start and TKB on the bench.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:52am
DingoBob said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:52am | Report comment
What about Fruen?
June 4th 2012 @ 10:02am
stojo01 said | June 4th 2012 @ 10:02am | Report comment
Great attacker Goes missing in defence and they are up against Brian O’Driscoll
June 4th 2012 @ 9:56am
Shungmao said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Ali Williams is also a surprise pick, form wise has been ordinary at best. There have been some other locks performing better, but like sharpe experience counts for a lot.
June 4th 2012 @ 10:08am
stojo01 said | June 4th 2012 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Ali Williams hasn’t been the same player since the achilles injury several years ago but you gotta remember Sam Whitelock is only 23 and Romano 26, Retalick 21 need a wise head Boric really is a big loss.
June 4th 2012 @ 12:13pm
Kuruki said | June 4th 2012 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
Eaton hands down should have got the nod. Ali Williams has not been All Black material for years, he was a liability in the World Cup often shunning his tight work to fumble the ball in the backline. While you could argue experience is vital, Williams to me has not matured as a role model on the field as he still continues to give away those silly penalties and puts his team under pressure. Williams selection to me is the only real disappointment. Aaron Smith will start and Weepu will come off the bench, a role in which he is very effective, that is why he got the nod over Ellis.
June 4th 2012 @ 12:20pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 4th 2012 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
Spot on mate. I think Ali Williams has not done enough this year and Jason Eaton has looked pretty good. I would start with Retallick and Whitelock though.
June 4th 2012 @ 10:03am
Gary Russell-Sharam said | June 4th 2012 @ 10:03am | Report comment
When I read selections for the team I was amazed that Weepu was selected. On form he was no show, however as in the past, players keep getting selected on past performances at the top level until they have shockers. Ellis or Perenara on form should have been selected. Smith is the best selection on form of the HBs and IMO Carter does not warrant a start ahead of Cruden or Barrett on form, but I’m sure that he will be selected ahead of them. And to be a bit controversial I’d pick Thompson ahead of McCaw on form. I also agree with Romano in the SR. No Doubt that McCaw and Carter are there for their experience and leadership, however the time is drawing nigh when we will see the changing of the guard. Elliot as a selection is warranted in my view he has played some great rugby this season. I am doubtful the Crockett is truly a test player, but he may make the step in this campaign, he didn’t quite make it in the last season. He is now more mature and is quite good around the park but it’s hard to go past the Franks bros. I believe that the midfield will be SOB and Smith with Nonu on the bench and Dagg at FB. I would then have B Smith and Gear on the wings
June 4th 2012 @ 11:18am
ohtani's jacket said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:18am | Report comment
I don’t think you’ve seen the last two Crusaders games if you think Carter and McCaw aren’t in form.
June 4th 2012 @ 11:29am
Jutsie said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Agree about carter, he was awesome on fri nite. Not so sure that mccaw has hit top gear though, he seems to be a little slow around the park still.
June 4th 2012 @ 10:04am
AussieKiwi said | June 4th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
PW reminds me of the fat arsed wombat mascot from the Sydney 2000 olympics at the moment. He really has no excuse for carrying that extra 5kg plus, which must slow him down. Having said that, he has bags of natural talent and great instincts most of the time.