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When the All Blacks World Cup squad is announced on Sunday, there will be six big omissions.
Ben Franks
Steve Hansen and Co. clearly do not see Ben Franks as a starter, believing he is better coming off the pine, providing impact for the All Blacks.
If his brother Owen was to get injured and not recover, the coaches will not want to throw Nepo Laulala to the wolves just yet, his time will come. So for this World Cup the All Blacks will be sweating on Charlie Faumuina to come through his ITM Cup game on Saturday without hassle. He is a starter if Owen doesn’t recover from an injury.
Israel Dagg
I will never forget Dagg splitting the Wallabies backline in the 2011 semi-final, throwing that miracle pass for Ma’a Nonu to score and bury Robbie Deans’ troops. But he is out of form.
Injury during the Super Rugby season did not help, but as loyal as Hansen is to his players, he won’t risk taking Dagg.
Cory Jane
Jane has succumbed to injury too many times in the past few years, and other, younger talent cannot be ignored.
Jeremy Thrush
The All Blacks may take just three locks, with Jerome Kaino as a back-up second-rower. With the coaches surely wanting an extra spot in the backs to cover for Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Charles Piutau and Nehe Milner-Skudder, there’s no room for Thrush.
Liam Messam
A brilliant player over the past three years, Messam has been out of sorts in 2015 and Victor Vito has clearly overtaken him in the blindside pecking order. Vito is also a better option at the back of the scrum and as a lineout jumper.
Was it a coincidence that the All Blacks Sevens squad for Rio was named last week? Messam, who made his name in sevens, was one of two current All Blacks to be named.
Which brings me to the last man set to miss the plane…
Sonny Bill Williams
This year he hasn’t played played like the SBW we have come to know. He played well against Argentina in Christchurch but went missing in other games, especially Apia and Sydney.
Is New Zealand naming in the Rio squad an indication Messam and Williams have been overlooked for the Rugby World Cup? I believe so.
What do you think Roarers?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.