Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Wyatt Crockett and Jarrad Hoeata appear to have had their Rugby World Cup dreams dashed while the remainder of the All Blacks squad that lost to South Africa last weekend arrived in Brisbane for Saturday’s Tri Nations decider.
The 30-man squad will only be revealed on Tuesday – and some Cup-bound players are not required to play the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium – but leaving their teammates at Sydney airport indicates they missed the cut unless the selectors have had a rethink.
Before the All Blacks headed to South Africa, coach Graham Henry said he would use only World Cup-bound players in his 26-strong squad to play the Wallabies.
Gear, a standout on last year’s grand slam tour of the UK and Ireland, seems to have been denied a wing berth while versatile loose forward Messam, who started at No.8 in the 18-5 loss to the Springboks in Port Elizabeth, could have been usurped by a late addition to the Tri-Nations squad, Victor Vito.
Tony Woodcock’s comeback from a foot injury looks to have ended Crockett’s hopes; Hoeata was always a stop-gap measure for Anthony Boric, who is scheduled to prove his fitness after another foot problem when North Harbour host Wellington on Friday night.
A group of 19 weary players arrived in Brisbane – two hours behind schedule after their flight from Johannesburg was delayed and they missed a connection.
An advance party of World Cup certainties who were spared the trip to South Africa – Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn Owen Franks, Conrad Smith and Mils Muliaina – had checked into the team hotel earlier after a trouble-free hop across the Tasman.
Gear’s absence apparently translates to good news for Wellington and Hurricanes teammate Cory Jane; Sitiveni Sivivatu’s status is unclear as he nurses a fractured eye socket – Zac Guildford is in Brisbane, though possibly only as cover.
Colin Slade has been excused for his mixed performance against South Africa while Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui seem to have confirmed their selection after impressive efforts against the reigning world champions.
Although it is understood the players were told who would be burdened with ending New Zealand’s World Cup heartache at Eden Park on October 23 before they left South Africa, they were keeping quiet about their prospects.
Jane, an enthusiastic tweeter, told his Twitter followers “I need 2moro 2 hurry up cos I’m veddy (sic) nervous,” while waiting in the departure lounge at Sydney airport.
He was not included in the initial squad of 30 for the Tri Nations but was one of a quartet drafted in to cover for injury and excelled against the Springboks in Wellington.
Crouch, Touch , Pause-Engage
Guest
John Hart part II if Ali Williams wasn't Henry's business partner would he have been selected? If Afoa and Toeava weren't Aucklanders would they have been selected. Seriously Afoa over Crockett yes tight Vs loose but the two Franks boys cover 3...Woodcock for experience definitely not form! Vito, give me a break how poor was he S15 and 11 minutes Saturday what a joke. No specialist 7 back up didn't learn anything Saturday ? At least let SBW run outside DC this week instead of Nonu's armchair ride, he is a defensive nightmare, SBW not one defensive lapse Saturday. Gear, Messam, Crockett absolutely Robbed! Toeava, Jane, Afoa, Vito all McAllister Henry selections and if it costs us again watch the fall out! As for the selectors know best......maybe in 1987, definitely not since. Go Fiji!
Sylvester
Guest
Howlett was never a great creator, had no giant side step or swerve, but he was a great finisher and a great support player. Scored 49 tries in 62 tests, so that sort of player does have value. That's what Guildford brings.
Nathan
Roar Pro
A bit thin on quality props, especially if Woodcock injured and why 3 hookers? Would have gone with a specialist backup to McCaw instead of Vito. 3 6's chosen with no number 8 a worry (stil think Read is a converted 6), Vito could possibly become a reasonable number 8 but has played most of Rugby @6. Why 3 halfbacks? The rest ok but would have included Sivi and Ranger.
johnny-boy
Guest
I'm a big Guildford fan - from a distance. Fully deserved his spot. Everyready bunnies are handy.
KiwiDave
Guest
Or recent days in fact, Toeava looked pretty handy on the weekend, some pretty surprising acceleration for a man just back from injury.
katzilla
Roar Guru
God its hard work being the only person to stick up for Guildford. How many times have we gone into the world cups with the best wingers in the world only to be let down? Once? Twice? Its not the wingers who create tries that will win us this cup, its the wingers who know where to be at the right time and have the pace to finish from anywhere with a field infront of them. We need balance in our backline, going in with line breakers but no finishers all over won't do us any good. All that will happen is repeats of saturday night where no one finished the many breaks. Sivi, Gear neither would finish a movement from within our own half against quality opposition, note how easily Guildford left the Saffas in the dust to score his first try in Wellington? Or how he was behind the ruck on the left side of the field yet was in perfect position to accept the pass on the right hand side in the next play? Sivi had it when he was younger, Gear hasn't shown it. Beyond the ludicrous ravings of SBW's biggest fanboy, a lot of the rest of you aren't really giving Guildford the respect he deserves either. I think he will play the big games and he'll be the top try scorer at the world cup. Doesn't matter how he comes about those tries, but he will without doubt. I'll be putting a lot of money on it.
Jerry
Guest
I thought he'd signed with someone but couldn't be bothered checking.
Ben S
Roar Guru
'and is big enough to bully other scrum-halves.' Not sure why you're repeating something that you've already been corrected on.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Sivivatu signed with Clermont a few months ago, Jerry.
boxer
Guest
kingplaymaker youve got it backwards mate.. guildford definitely good enough, messam does not belong in test rugby
thesportsguy
Guest
lol @ KPM. give it up dude. i have honestly forgotten what your point was (any of them!) @jerry and moaman, agree with all your points mate. spot on as usual
west
Guest
Zac can preform on the day i trust Henry....well... we have to. Williams has 65 test caps to his name so has a lot of experience and put under pressure can step up. Toeave does concern me under pressure he can drop the ball he has 31 tests so should handle high stakes rugby by now, so we'll see. All Blacks have one challenge in there 1st pool that's France get that out of the way nice and early.
Matt in Norway
Guest
Oh and Ali Williams? Come on, how many chances can you give the man?
Matt in Norway
Guest
Oh dear, no Sivi, no Gear, in comes Toeava with greasy feet for hands and Guildford the tiny dancer... Selectors, what have you done!
Rusty
Roar Guru
Thought Donnelly was pretty unlucky
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, I suspect you've not really been paying attention to his test performances of recent years.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Someone has to do the dirty work, but it helps if you hit the rucks first.
PeterK
Guest
I thought Henry mostly made he right decisions, the main exception IMO is I would included Hosea Gear and dropped Guildford.
PeterK
Guest
but cheating is a core AB skill OJ.
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
Yep Ali Williams is spending too much time seagulling and not enough in the engine room. Thinks he has a shot as the back up 1st 5. I would also give Dagg the nod ahead of Mils. and Weepu ahead of Cowan for sure. 3 back 4 forward split on the bench.