"He could become one of the very best we've ever had" - Hansen on SBW

Maybe but like Cruden, he needs to get his kicking boots on ... he was average against Japan.

yep thats about right. Woodcock I think will be back for a final season and I've a feeling Andrew Hore might get an itch and will push Mealamu down a peg. Romano and Tuipoulotu will be decided on their sxv form, as will the halves, TKB I think will lose his pos to Pulu in a strong Chiefs side next year. My outsider is Ihaia West because of his similarities with Cruden and therefore wider consistency in distribution over the year.

If theres one thing we've confirmed this year is that Nonu and Conrad must be the World cup pairing, and you have neither of them.

Ha! Chan Wee I know that (everyone does!) ... but what I am referring to is that I think they will choose 3 flyhalves for RWC 2015 and they will be Carter, Cruden and Barrett. As for the utility value, that will be an added bonus but the three I have mentioned above will, I believe be selected primarily for the No 10 role. I believe that because Slade is more like Cruden Hansen will go one of them only. Barrett offers a different dimension than Slade. After watching the Baa Baas match yesterday, Slade is catching up to Cruden (Slade has been laying well all year and is much improved on the 2011-2013 model) and if there is to be any changes from the 3 listed this might be it. Big call I know. Its going to be interesting.

nope Cruden is a 10 only as far as I know. so he is there only as a fly half , coz DC can play 12. Slade can play 10 15 (and sometimes 9 :) ) Barrett can play 10 14 and 15. IMO Hansen likes Barrett and SGH liked Slade. Being very quick helps BB's case :P its a matter of preference (as seen even here with different people liking different players :) ) as for squads , it is likely to be 31 , with the full front row cover on bench now. so logically the split shud be 17:14. But after that the numbers will be interesting choices :)

The other point you raised about fly halves, I think Cruden and Slade are too similar type players, behind Carter in terms of ability to control a game but without Barrett's bench impact, so he has chosen Cruden ahead of Slade. Slade's form though is very, very good, not only for the Baa Baa, he must be putting a lot of pressure on Cruden.

Chan Wee, I am very aware of Steve Hansen's loyalty to his players. Now I have not met Steve Hansen but after the RWC 2011, we were in a group of guys including ex AB's and were discussing who was likely to be the new coach. When discussing Hansen, these guys gave a great insight of life after Sir G Henry. Hansen is consistent and predictable. He is loyal but he does make hard decisions as necessary. You can also be sure that he is focused to try and go back to back.... very focused, in spite of his apparent calm persona, (a reason he is trying to lure Wayne Smith back for 2015 - wonder how Foster feels!) Depending on the squad size for RWC 2015, Hansen will be going for a balance of experience and dynamic players who will fit in his plans on trying to go back to back. He knows he will need the like of Kaino. but Jane? ... pity his tour looks over and while he is presently in the squad, he may become a fringe selection, not because he believes he will fail him but since 2011 he has Savea, Ben Smith Charles Piutua (with fringe players not presently in the squad but lurking) all with bright lights flashing over their heads. Regarding Nonu and SBW as first choice No 12, this will be a test. They are both likely to make the RWC 2015 squad but who of the existing squad may miss out? Crotty?, Fekitoa?, C Smith?. With 3 halfbacks likely to be A Smith, Pulu and TJP (TKB to miss out), and Carter, Cruden and Barrett as 1st Five's, and the back three out of B Smith, Dagg, Savea, Piutau, that will mean 15 spots in the backs. If squad size is 30/31, what will the split be?... 16:14 / 17:14? If in the forwards Sam Cane is to back up Richie and there is a need to take say 6 x props, 3 x hookers plus 4 x 2nd rowers and 4 to cover the back row (including Cane and McCaw) that will be 17 spots in the forwards. So a split of 17:15 as it stands ... at least one needs to be culled depending on squad size. Who would you cut? Players who can play more than one position will be a major consideration I think. 7 matches (if they can go all the way) over consecutive weeks is pretty tough and with the 48 hour injury rule, selections will need to be very deliberate. Yes, I too am pleased DC came through unscathed and hope his progress back runs smoothly.. (fingers crossed)

Hard to disagree with any of the players you have nominated, they are all worthy but so are so many others. It would be great (at least for us speculators) as to confirmation of squad sizes, I think I read somewhere about having 6 props (?). I'd include Joe Moody as LH prop, don't ask me who to drop if squad was 31 and it was a 17:14 split. Then again Hansen appears to have thrown Vito a lifeline perhaps to cover all three back row positions, perhaps at the expense of Steven Luatua who would then be asked to remain in the wider group?? Of the backs, I think Pulu might end up as No 2 HB with TJP the third, which means unfortunately TKB would miss out. As for Crotty, to me, is more like C Smith... he can organise the defence a bit away from the traffic. Yep aware of last years experiment with Ben Smith at 13 which was only mildly successful by hos lofty standards. I think he mad a better fist of No 12 when Nonu was first injured. There is going to be a lot of speculation as to the make of for the squad for RWC but have a feeling that it will be pretty well settled (other than injuries), but not announced by the time the Spring tour is finished. The RC next year will be more about getting combinations settled.. TBH I have absolutely no idea of who the selectors are going to cull to make the numbers as permitted. I'll start listing my 'guess' after the tour next month.

Dont forget that B.Smith covers 13, 14 & 15, Crotty, Fekitoa, Nonu and SBW cover 12 & 13 with Nonu, Fekitoa and SBW able to play wing also. Dagg can play wing and Piutau both wings and fullback. It all depends how they play from now on but imo its a shootout between Crotty and Nonu. Nonu having the advantage in experience and combination with C.Smith but Crotty having the advantage in being the superior 13 and the better form, at least recently. I think they might have a 17/14 split and use SBW as an emergency wing reserve. Heres my latest guess. 14 backs. TKB Pulu A.Smith Barrett Carter Cruden Crotty/Nonu Fekitoa SBW C.Smith B.Smith Dagg Savea Piutau wider training backs: Halai, TNW, Perenara 17 forwards: Mealamu Coles Harris Crockett Woody Faumuina O.Franks B.Franks Tuipulotu Rettalick Whitelock Luatua McCaw Cane Kaino Messam Read Forwards wider training: Bird/Romano/Thrush, Vito, Moody

@ Rugby Tragic : not at all. if u look at the history since 2011, Hansen has his soldiers and he sticks with them. eg Kaino & Jane. only decision he will have to make is who is at 12 Nonu or SBW . evryone else is a shoe-in if fit and ready :) for example Colin Slade was great against OZ V Baa Baas , but Hansen prefers Barrett, who is not as good a 10 as Slade IMO. and am sure one of his headaches was sorted last night when DC came on and ended without a scratch :P

You betcha. SBW was great, and as you suggest so too was his combination with Crotty .... The midfield depth (as in other positions) must be a good problem to have but can they all be retained in the squad. In considering the midfield candidates each are very talented, two maybe 'better organisers,' particularly on defence (C Smith and R Crotty) but who arguably lack the flair, on the offensive, of others (Nonu, SBW, Fekitoa of the existing squad). That is, however unlikely, without considering any late bolters. I guess the final selection will be made on ' the compatible combinations' and the final permitted size of the squad for RWC 2015. Injuries are a fact of life in the rugby world cup. If the squeeze is really on to keep numbers down, given the 48 hours injury replacement rule and the need to win 7 games if they are able to defend their title, those players who have the ability to cover more than one position will be invaluable.

Well he made that look like a walk in the park..... That combination with Crotty was outstanding. I think by end of tour Hansen will have more headaches then answers as to who his best midfield starters and bench are.

As a rugby fan, I am excited to see his return and contribution to a back line brimming full of talent. Exciting times ahead, the right combinations will start showing in this eoyt.

Sorry 4 players spot is Safe. Savea is, imo, going to be thought of along the same lines as McCaw and Carter, the best his position has ever seen. Yes better than Lomu.

your 1st point is so true. Likewise, we are hearing that SBW will carry-on with the ABs team regardless if his wife gives birth in NZ. & again the guy can't win either way: for staying with the team he is branded cold and having no compassion for his family (a clear lie going by his twitter account alone); if he had left the team he would have been branded as disloyal & not really having his heart in performing for the ABs. You just do your thing SBW.

All Bent, you could be right, time will tell of course, but SBW does not need to win over doubters, what he needs to do is play up to Hansen's expectations. Unless in the 'inner sanctum', we outsiders do not know what is on the mind of Steve Hansen, he is the one who is charged with the AB's succeeding. That though is fair enough, he is the AB coach, we as fans will continue to speculate which of course often opens up pleasurable debates and the opportunity to learn of other's opinions. I have never meet Hansen but am told by an 'ex AB' the he has a lot of time for Nonu which was one of the reasons he actually counselled for his spot in S!5 a couple of years back. If he comes back strong next year and if we can make an assumption based on Hansen's recent comment's that SBW as being 'likely to be there', I find it tough to decide the candidates of who to leave out in the midfield. I also think that you could include, barring injuries as safe - Kaino, Coles A Smith, Ben Smith and Savea as well.... The EOYT might enhance of change the pecking order.. I cannot wait, I'm a bit like a kid in a candy store at the moment.

SBW wont win over any doubters in this game, if he plays well it will be "its only the USA" and if he plays poorly it will be "see, hes rubbish". Hansen knows a bit about SBW and what he offers and he knows what he wants in the midfield. I think that only 3 players spot is safe and thats Whitelock, McCaw and Read. I doubt that Rettalick, A.Smith and O.Franks will lose their starting spot also but all other positions have a lot of pressure on them and that includes C.Smith and D.Carter. My personal opinion is that a backline of 9) A.Smith & Pulu 10) Cruden 11) Savea 12 & 13) SBW, Fekitoa & Crotty 14 & 15) Dagg, B.Smith & Barrett (flyhalf reserve also) is now the best backline possible but it may lack a bit of the leadership that C.Smith and Carter bring. It remains to be seen if Hansen is willing to move forward or camp on what he has had. Its a gamble either way.

Well there we go ... this endorsement from a man who is responsible for not only SBW's immediate future but also the that of the AB's. While I think SBW is a brilliant athlete, it matters not what 'we' think (and I am sure most of us have opinions), it is Hansen's call. Based on his (Shag's) performance thus far in guiding the national team, I am happy to support his decisions. Man oh man, it is going to be tough at the selection table for the RWC squad, there is going to be some very disappointed players here are there ..... but 'not quite there'. "Williams had a copy of All Blacks moves in his hand on the evening of September 26, soon after the Roosters’ preliminary final loss to South Sydney which ended their season". Read that today on another site... planning must be quite advanced for 2015 which to me is great news!

Oh yeah! SBWs back! Woo hoo! Way cool:-)! ABs rock!

Well there go. I'll let Hanson do the talking for me. There was a rubbish article yesterday about SBW and can he make the 30 squad? I was wondering are we talking about the same guy? Having a 6'4 NRL ball player playing midfield in rugby tearing the defence up with skill, off loads is phenomenal. Also perhaps his form went down a little at the roosters cause his focus was on other things - The All blacks! Learning the moves...sweet as.