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The All Blacks squad for this year’s Rugby Championship has been named, and most rugby pundits would have picked the bulk of this team without too many issues.
But there are a few talking points to be discussed, and a few changes from the squad that faced the English. The full squad can be viewed at the end of this article.
The hookers pick themselves and it should be noted that Nathan Harris seems to now be the third choice given he has been invited to be part of the squad during the home section of the Rugby Championship.
Hooker is still an area of concern and many fans will be hoping for an injury-free campaign for Dane Coles and Kevin Mealamu.
The props were also to be expected, however I was curious to see Joe Moody selected to cover for Tony Woodcock in the early stages of the competition. I have nothing against Moody, who is a very promising prospect, however I thought Kane Hames may have been afforded an opportunity after an excellent season with the Highlanders.
I suspect the Highlanders scrum woes in their last few weeks may have counted against him.
The locks are of no surprise either, comprising the same four from the English series with Luke Romano still unavailable through injury.
The loose forwards was again a predictable mix, the biggest area for debate being the selection of Sam Cane over the in-form Matt Todd, which has been good enough to move Richie McCaw to blindside in the Crusaders line-up against the Sharks on Saturday night.
Cane has been the second choice for some time now but given his injury lay off and Todd’s recent form he can count himself lucky to be in the squad. The other notable is the return of Steven Luatua over Victor Vito, who was not considered due to injury.
There is no change to the halfbacks with TJ Perenara and Tawera Kerr-Barlow selected again to back up Aaron Smith. At first five we see the return of Dan Carter from sabbatical with Colin Slade dropping out.
The midfield and back division remain the same with the exception of Charles Piatau, who is back from injury in place of Ryan Crotty. I question his exclusion, not only based on some good form but the overall balance does not appear to be quite right, particularly around second five.
The back division sees a plethora of talent with numerous players being able to cover each position. Malakai Fekitoa covers centre and I am led to believe he can also play at second five, however I am not sure the Rugby Championship is the forum to have a shot if required.
Carter can also cover second five if necessary but I would have liked to have seen Crotty included, perhaps for Corey Jane or Israel Dagg for more comprehensive midfield options.
Regardless, it is a very strong squad and with the majority in good form the All Blacks can look forward to this year’s Championship with optimism and confidence.
The All Blacks head into a two-day camp on Wednesday, minus the Crusaders players who will be preparing for the Super Rugby final this weekend, and it was interesting to note the players who have been brought in to cover in their absence.
It may give us a glimpse at the current pecking order and possible future, with Kane Hames, Motu Matu’u, Pauliasi Manu, Jeremy Thrush, Liam Squire, Nathan Harris and Shane Christie all coming in.
The most notable inclusion there in my view is Matu’u, and I wonder if Liam Coltman may have slid down the pecking order after being included in the training camps earlier in the season before the English series.
Over to you Roarers, what are your talking points?
Full All Blacks Squad
Forwards: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu; Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock/Joe Moody; Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock; Richie McCaw (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Liam Messam, Kieran Read.
Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara; Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden; Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith; Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau, Julia Savea, Ben Smith.
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