Is Graham Henry hustling us again?

Well done Mr Braid - hope to see you in RWC 2011. You've earned it. Now, who will be the marquee signing for the Red's (if they go that way..)?

Well, we got Daniel Braid back. I'd like to personally thank the Queensland rugby union for keeping him in good nick over the past two years.

It has been a truely great Super 14 regardless of who wins it. There has been a few upsets already and the resurgent form of the Reds and Stormers have been a revelation. In terms of Graham Henry's comments, there is no such thing as a weak All Black side, they will always be either 1 or 2 in the world. The only challenge I see is to sort out which players have the BMT for test rugby. Rene Ranger is a awesome player but would you want his temperament in a tight test, same goes for many NZ players who have awesome ballskills but who are untested at test level. If I were the Bok coach I would be worried by the Australians. The Bulls and Stormers have lost 4 games between them, 3 against Australian opposition, the Brumbies, Force and Reds. There is a growing depth in Australia which has not gone by unnoticed. I would go so far as to say that apart from the Bulls, Stormers and less the Sharks, there is a more even spread of star players in this years Australian teams than in the SA teams. The Lions have uhm no players who you would classify as first choice Boks and the Cheetahs have Juan Smith. Thats 40% of the SA squads with 1 starting Bok between them. In conclusion, you always know what you get from the AB's but the Aussies are an enigma wrapped in a mystery.

HILARIOUS!

You guys still don't rate Brett Yet at 10? I'm interseted in watching Mcalister's form over the next few games. Seems to be improving cept for place kicking.... geeez. i would like to see dagg in the wider squad instead of Ben Smith. It could be the 2 crusadres at 9. I know henry and co love Ellis And what to do with Ranger. Wing? I think Kahui has proven himself at international level so he'll make the cut. The Abs really need to pick thier WC sqaud now.

"Who do the ABs have have at hooker, prop, no.8 and blind side flanker? What about 13 and wing?" seriously?? "How long till the Roar’s David Pocock overtakes McCaw as the premier no.7 in the world? 2 years? less? Never?" Maybe when Richie retires. I know you guys love pockock but there are also some really good 7s in south africa. Its a bit sparse in nz at the momment cept Braid who's playing for the reds. The 7s role seems to have changed with the new interpretations. A conspiracy to neutralise Richie??

Delaney now out for the season with a shoulder injury, fractured socket so Donald now the sole front runner? Bugger as Delaney also key to the Steamers hopes in the NPC.

The other 10% are world cup games...

Didn't mean to start all that... Anyway, one guy who's really fallen off the radar is Issac Ross. First he's relegated to club rugby, now he's not being taken in the Crusaders' squad for Australia and South Africa. Henry & Co. took some flack last season when they dropped him for the end of year tour (telling him to go away and bulk-up), but something's not quite right there.

AA, not only do your comments not help anything, but they're just not needed. These guys that you've labelled "guests" are regulars on The Roar, and like most others in these forums, come here to engage in meaningful, thoughtful, and courteous debate about a common passion of all of us: sport. Strong opinions on sport are encouraged and welcomed, and country of origin is never an issue. In fact on topics like rugby union, it helps keep we Aussies in perspective (even if we don't like it OJ!). You're also entitled to your opinion of course. But keep the personal and nationalist garbage out of it, because it has no place here.

I think the Aussies on this post should read the comments from the Kiwis very closely because you need to know if you have a chance of lifting the Bledisloe for the first time in six years! that jibe aside, i really hope Henry and Deans pick some young bolters this year and do make some form picks...there is alot of promising talent on both sides. Some players that need to go - Stephen Donald, Giteau..Berrick, Jimmy Cowan, James O Connor,...

OJ is right. Theres no way Henry will go with bolters for the starting line up. No doubt it will be - Jane Rokocoko Smith Nonu Wulf Carter Cowan Read McCaw Kaino Thorn Donnelly Woodcock Hore Tialata Maybe a bolter on the bench. The Australian team regardless of the form this year of the Reds i think will be much the same as last year. With the exception of maybe 1-2 new forwards. The biggest question mark lies over whether Cooper will get the nod at 10 over Giteau. I doubt it though. My Wallabies Line up - Hynes Ioane Ashley-Cooper Barnes Giteau Genia Higginbotham Pocock Elsom Horwill (or Mumm if hes still injured) Sharpe Robinson Polata Nau Alexander I think Cooper will get a run in June but come the 3N it will be all Giteau. Deans has a history of going for Safety over Excitement. He'll join O'Connor on the bench.

Hahaha too funny

Delaney's out for 6 months, so that settles the argument of whether he'll be involved or not.

Ohtani is correct regarding Henry's approach. Cory Jane will be fullback in Muliana's absence, he has stepped up and proven himself at test match level, and in fact surprised many punters (including myself, and I'm a Canes fan!). Alby Mathewson has a real chance of making the test squad on form alone, and so does Victor Vito (I think Henry has run out of pateince with Lauaki and Liam Messam). Injuries to Carter and/or McCaw are NZ's only real problems, not just because of their ability, but when they both play they have an astonishing winning record of 90%+ which from a mental perspective the opposition struggles with, particularly Australia.

Dunno bout struggling for cover at 9 - there's 4 guys who've got a good amount of test caps after all. No-one's really standing out at the moment, but whoever is there will be a decent quality player. Vito's not played much 7 this year, so I don't think he'll be backing up Richie.

AA I certainly don't agree with all OJ's comments but some tounge in cheek and the reverse views make for an interesting read. An opinion, whether it be sarcastic, inflammatory or just way out there is simply an opinion.

I rate Delaney higher than Donald as his general play kicking is far better, especially when under pressure with his shortfall being defence. He takes the line on well and his goal kicking is around 80% where as Donald sits at 70%. I think Vito needs to be slotted in somewhere, bruising and skillfull, Palu with an extra yard of pace, with that you are probably right OJ 8 is more his role. Toeava has shown a lot more this year and his handling and ball security have improved greatly and with that so has his confidence, great fend off during the Stormers game against Foure? I question Cowan and his temper and whether or not he can channel that into performance rather than lip. Doesn't seem to gel with any referee and costs at least a penalty a game and may be an unsettling influence if rattled during a game. Has been dealt a harsh card playing for the Highlanders, his choice I know but think it is detracting from where he was a couple of seasons back. I like Mathewson as he shows quick thinking with the only downfall to that is that he gets himself isolated at times but he can work those Blue's forwards and think he has been far more consistent than Leonard though he seemingly looks like he may be one or two games still from peak fitness? Weepu, rate this guy very highly but think he has been screwed by not only the AB coaches but Cooper as well and not sure if it is because he speaks his mind? The playing out of position, from the bench or dropped all together has not helped him one bit. Would be more worried with him at 9 than Cowan if allowed to play there longer than two minutes! Owen Franks, this guy is a rock and hits like one as well, can run all day and scrummages like a bull and then from the same pack throw in the Whitelock brothers. Cory Jane, aside from the multi coloured boots, agree OJ would be right at home at full back as his ability to take the ball back at speed, through gaps is up there with Cullen and Latham with Cory having more pace than both. After all that still have four pool games to go and unfortunately injuries will pop up as the likes of Ellis and McCalister fully know?

I'm not gonna bite on you Aussies flattering yourselves, but as for the last question I kind of figure that Richie will be retired from Test rugby in two years. I do wonder if any of them will stick around to play in at least the first Four Nations or whatever it's going to be called.

yip - most of the names warren has suggested will go into the NZ A team ...