Does anyone else think the All Blacks are suddenly starting to look good again? It’s wonderful to see great running rugby. I will admit, I had my doubts over “The Three Wise Men” this year. But the Northern Tour has been outstanding.
The New Boys
We have bred new blood in Zac Gilford and Ben Smith out wide. These two players look like the future. Mike Delany and Tamati Ellison also have done their part.
Rising Stars
One player springs to mind: Corey Jane. He is outstanding and he gets better every time he wears the black jersey. His skill set is everything the new modern day winger needs. Gone are the days of just quick and big. Now you have to be sound under the high ball and counter attack is critical.
Kieran Read is fast climbing the popularity ladder. His work around the field is outstanding. He shows true class but I wonder is number 8 his best position? I would like to see him play at 6, but competition is already hostile in this position.
Returning to form
Dan Carter, is there anyone else? He is leaps and bounds ahead of any first five. Dan takes the ball to the line, distributes well and his kicking game? Well, enough said about that, because everyone already knows what he can do with that left foot of his.
Player ratings
15. Mills Muliana – 7.5
Mils had a very quiet year. He struggled, actually, and he did say he was suffering from player burnout.
14. Cory Jane – 8.5
Great first season in the Black Jersey, showed he is all class on this Northern Tour.
13. Conrad Smith – 9
Injury plagued him in the Tri-Nations. Distributes well, hardly misses a tackle, and is the defence leader from 13.
12. Ma’a Nonu – 7
A solid year but I just don’t think he passes the ball enough. His running is devastating, but he is too predictable now.
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu – 9
Outstanding season in the black jersey. The most dangerous wing in the game, with counter attack skills second to none. Great speed and creates opportunities everywhere.
10. Dan Carter – 9
Rushed back into the side after a pretty long lay off due to a injury. Shows class every time he plays. Head and shoulders above any first five in world rugby at the moment.
9. Jimmy Cowan – 7
Tough season behind a pack that normally dominates. He’s still got the goods and is a very competitive character.
8. Kieran Read – 8
The big mover in the All Blacks this year, he is now the best number 8 in the squad. A great line-out option, he runs hard and is a work horse around the park.
7. Richie McCaw – 10
2009 IRB Player of the Year. What a difference this man makes to the All Black team. His work at the breakdown is second to none. Physical and a good leader.
6. Adam Thompson – 7
Shows he has what it takes to become a great All Black flanker. Still a lot to learn but he will get there.
5. Issac Ross – 7
Played well in the Tri-Nations. He should be on the Northern Tour, but was told to bulk up.
4. Brad Thorn – 9.5
Outstanding season for this beast. He played fantastic all year round and deserves a good break.
3. Neemia Tialata 6.5
I had my doubts over this guy. He showed some real inner-strength to come back into the side after being dropped.
2. Andrew Hore – 8.5
Another solid year for Andy Hore. He performs week in week out and gets it done.
1. Tony Woodcock – 7
Good year for the prop. He does his work and gets the job done.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Nonu's passing is OK when he has space, he just needs to work on his offloading in the tackle. He tends to get isolated a lot and seems to worry about that whenever he's tackled. It happened a bit in Marsailles but he managed to keep possession towards the end. He does tend to try and break the line when it would've been better to pass, but he's the only consistently healthy midfielder we have.
Jim
Guest
also considering Wayne Smith is no longer backline coach. says a bit about the knowledge of All Black rugby you really have
Jim
Guest
disagree, Nonu is a solid 12 he does his job but that wont be enough at test level. or do you not remember the days where mauger and mcalistar ruled the midfeild? Nonu is easily read - cos all he does is hit it up. nonu has size, has skill but he has no brain. how many tries has he and will he cost us against teams in tests cos he is greddy. i dont think nonu will be 12 come world cup year
Jack
Guest
Hey Bro, when you don't have anything to say, just keep quiet. Another boring don't know alot about rugby, headline reader, bagging Ma`a Nonu. Thank goodness even a dunce like Wayne Smith could see he made the biggesty mistake of his unsuccessful coaching life when he left Nonu at home and selected timid tackler, Luke McAlister against the French at Cardiff. After that defeat, W. Smith has had Nonu totally involved ever since. Count the number of players (like B Barnes) who get hurt trying to tackle Nonu or when Nonu tackles them. I'll help you out here Bro, Nonu will always make mistakes, that's just him, however he creates so much worry and so many problems for both the attackers and defenders who have to mark him. Plus he has one huge effect that most shallow, headline reading (but quick to talk utter crap) types don't understand, Nonu is the tough, boneshaking bloke in the backline. As W. Smith learnt, you can't just select all clever, pretty boy, hobbits in the backline, someone must be a worry to the opposition for their aggression and hard tackling.