All Blacks' World Cup squad all but set

While a lot of that's true, I can't see Perenara, Kerr-Barlow or Pulu becoming world class or even genuinely international class in the next 11 months. Both Ellis and Cowan were decent international class last time they played and Cowan was, for a time, world class; I'd be interested in seeing how they go at super level to see if they still have it. And Nonu was largely mediocre for a long period of time at test level and Smith not much better - the options simply weren't that good. Nonu certainly wasn't that good when he was dropped but after Mauger and Mcalister departed there wasn't much left.

Tameifuna is nowhere near test level either for his overall fitness or his scrummaging. Toomaga-Allen is even worse at scrumtime Ben Franks has actually played very well for the last 2 years - yet no-one seems to have noticed. When it's counted he's often been better than his brother (who does seem to be coming back to his best after about a year being a bit flat) and better than Woodcock (who was poor for the 2 years after 2011). Having said that the new subs laws allow for both a TH and LH on the bench and Ben went to the Hurricanes to get game time as a LH yet we've seen him on the bench at test level covering TH. With Woodcock, Crockett and Moody being the LHs I can only assume that Faumaoina isn't totally trusted at scrum time - yet. If they take 5 props to the WC I wouldn't bet against him getting the gig.

I think slade is a must now if he can stay injury free, we need his kicking game so to me cruden could well be the unlucky bloke who misses out as he can only play 10 you have to think they will take three first fives. I'm quite concerned with our halfback depth Peranara just does not do it for me so in saying that i think we need to take Ellis at least he is solid and has vast experience... Dagg i think form wise may also be unlucky he has a great boot but for me his defense is not what it use to be, so i'd have smith at 15 with barrett on the bench as cover for 5'8 and 10.. Lock stocks are quite impressive i see no issues there, but same old story with hooker no depth at allif dane gets injured we could be in some trouble as i don't trust Big Kevs throw in to the lineouts he has always had issues with them. I agree with firstxv regarding Fekitoa i'd feel better having Crotty than Feks i don't trust his defense at the moment. Our midfield stocks are impressive as usual with Nonu and Smith starting with SBW coming off the bench, One starting wing spot up for grabs as Savea is a shoe in ...

Ma'a Nonu played 42 tests between 2007 and 2011 and in that time cemented his position as the no. 1 12 by a distance. Ellis has had no involvement in the test scene since 2011 so its an absurd comparison. Its not as though they picked him after 4 years of nothing...geeez. Ma'a gained a reputation with Smith as the Worlds premier Centre pair and that today remains as true- Ellis gained no 'world' reputation on any scale. He was a typical Canterbury tradesman of which there are many through the years that made little impact on the test scene. Not a slant intended on Canterbury players but there are a long list that didn't make a huge difference between their xsv and International level of play- Ellis fits perfectly in that list.

Ma'a Nonu was an All Black from 2003-2007 and then dropped for the 2007 RWC. The same coaches picked him in 2011. Same story as Piri Weepu. Dropped players have been re-called in the long history of the All Blacks and recent history. Ellis' name keeps coming up for the simple fact that both Kerr-Barlow (2013) and Perenara (2014) have been groomed to be Aaron Smith's backup and both have been very mediocre when given the opportunity (ie Scotland). Ellis may not be great but he has played far better than Perenara and Kerr-Barlow at Super Rugby. By the middle of 2014 Super 15, Pulu was often preferred over Kerr-Barlow by the Chief's coaches as their starting scrum half.

I think one veteran (Ellis or Cowan) and one young gun (Perenara or Pulu) will be selected to back up Aaron Smith. Both Perenara and Pulu would have to have shockingly poor seasons (or injured) in Super 15 for both Ellis and Cowan to be selected.

Nathan Harris has been dropped from the Chiefs Super 15 squad as he is out for six months with ankle surgery. Looks like he is out of All Black contention along with Tawera Kerr-Barlow (out six months with broken leg). Hika Elliot has replaced Harris at hooker for the Chiefs having returned from surgery to repair a broken neck. He played in the Heartland Championship this season. Elliot looked like a sure fire long term All Black at hooker early in his career but then never re-called as there were rumours that he struggled to fit into the All Black environment- in short, he was not a team player.

Although I prefer Fekitoa over Crotty as a midfielder purely because I like to see some excitement I would rather have Croty in a crucial knockout match in the midfield. He's a strong tackler- and I mean physically and tactically where Fekitoa can be a bit up and down on defence. Just can't see Hansen leaving Crotty at home.

Yeah and hows he gone in the AB jersey since if he's sooooo good. Why has Hansen gone off and tried 3 other halfbacks without even considering Ellis. Is that not a clear enough message? Give it a miss. And Ellis is somehow going to be a better prospect four years older than when he last played? When have the AB's EVER gone back to that sort of selection when the player has been in our back yard the whole time. I don't like the alternatives, but that just confirms how poor Ellis is as an option.

That no. 9 spot will be the most crucial position in the coming months. TJ Perenara and K-Barlow should NOT be selected again for the ABs.They have not shown shown the goods and they have been given an abundance of time to show form in the AB jersey. They simply offer nothing. These guys still dontknow how to pass to thier no. 10s. Ellis and Cowan should be selected. Cowan is going to the Blues and making his intentions of wanting to be selected. Both players have a wealth of WC experience which will be crucial in the WC. I would feel more confortable if either of these guys were selected of TJ and TKB.

Why have limits on team numbers anyway ?

Carters injury history is obviously well documented but the majority have been vastly different injuries (unlucky) as opposed to a recurrent injury or any real predisposition to re-injure himself. 2011 Torn Groin Muscle 2012 IRB player of the year 2013 Shoulder Landing under Bismark 2013 Achilles Heal 2014 Leg after getting sandwiched between 2 tacklers He has had the usual small niggles that see many players miss a game or 2 during the season even the unbreakable McCaw. But none of the injuries are a recurrence. These also seem much worse since he had his sabbatical in order to help fix the minor niggles up. But you can't plan for breaking your leg.

On Gilhooly's list, it is obvious which All Blacks are written in stone and which ones are on the bubble. The bubble players are Nathan Harris, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, T.J Perenara, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, and Cory Jane. Harris, Rhys Marshall, Cody Taylor, James Parsons, and Ash Dixon all have a shot at the third hooker spot if they have a breakthrough Super Rugby season. My prediction is Cody Taylor. Ben Franks could easily loose his spot to Ben Tameifuna or Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. Tameifuna was off to play for Tonga in November and then when the Chiefs met with the NZRU, and suddenly, Tameifuna changed his mind (the NZRU do not want to lose a 22 year old giant tighthead who already has three seasons of Super Rugby experience and is immovable in scrums and surprisingly mobile around the park. Toomaga-Allen is a mediocre scrummager at the moment and needs to improve before he can be risked at test level. My prediction is Tameifuna. Jeremy Thrush is in a battle with Luke Romano for the fourth lock spot. The coaches believe Patrick Tuipulotu is a special athlete with a real nasty streak and will get the third spot. Romano was the favourite heading into 2014 but Thrush has had a great season and maybe ahead now. My prediction is Romano. The coaches will not take two young, inexperienced scrum halfs to the RWC- too risky. Aaron Smith and Andy Ellis will be the veterans leaving Perenara and Augustine Pulu to fight it out in Super Rugby. My prediction is Pulu. If Dan Carter is healthy and in form, he starts-period! If he is suffers recurring injuries, Colin Slade replaces him. Even if Carter is picked, it is hard to think he can last the whole tournament based on his injury history. Ryan Crotty or Malakai Fekitoa? The coaches have the choice of a line breaker or distributor to back up Conrad. Brains or brawn? Reliability or X factor? Both men can play 12 or 13 but Fekitoa can also cover wing. My prediction is Fekitoa. Cory Jane or Israel Dagg? I actually believe both men's fate are out of their hands and in the hands of Ben Smith. If Hansen decides Smith is his right wing, then hello Dagg and good-bye Jane. If Ben is his fullback then Jane stays and Dagg misses out. My prediction is Dagg over Jane (who is on the wrong side of 30 for a test wing).

Yeah well, Ellis played the last 31 minutes of the most important test in All Black history. After Piri Weepu gifted France's Thierry Dusautoir a try and the All Black pack was being dominated by France and going backwards, Ellis was a big part of stopping the bleeding and securing a 8-7 victory. Ellis is a winner- RWC champion, Super rugby champion with the Crusaders, ITM Cup champion (5 times) with Canterbury. With TKB out of the entire Super Rugby season (he is not even on the Chiefs roster) and ITM Cup not starting until August, TBK is out of RWC selection. Even if healthy, Kerr-Barlow is identical to Perenara- very fast, very fit, dangerous ball runner, and explosive tackler, BUT a very, very poor box kick and slow , ponderous pass. Neither are very bright decision-makers. Aaron Smith, Andy Ellis, and Perenara or Augustine Pulu will be selected.

Jimmy Cowan??? There are about 5 half backs lining up behind Smith, and no major surprises they are a step down considering how well he has played over the last year or 3 Each bring something different without any major difference in ability TKB TJP Pulu Ellis Cown The back up locks are a lottery and are going to come down to form. I think Dagg might get the nod over Jane, purely based on his ability to gain territory if the game gets tight or the weather goes as most of us suspect it might. There is usually atleast one bolter Boric was the 2011 one I am going to go with Codie Taylor getting some good time for the Crusaders and developing a good tight game. Feel good selections but long shots' Robbie Fruen lights up Super Rugby, the new larger heart valve allows him to develop the fitness he always lacked to go with the destruction Hika Elliot returns to his 2012 form after having part of his hip bone used to fuse his neck last year.

May be because TJ Perenara, K-Barlow? had a fair go at 9 in the last 2 years but no where near a quality required in test matches. Therefore A.Ellis might be the safe bet after all as Steve H already know what he (Ellis) can bring in the position.

I would think that the ABs would take a more defense minded HB into the WC to balance A. Smith's attacking style or to close out the game eg. A. Smith/TJP or Ellis or TKB. I can't help but think about the Highlanders with Tanaka and A. Smith as similar halves duo (att/att) that struggled compared to the Chiefs with Pulu and TKB (att/fed) that had a more rounded team dynamic.

I disagree about him(Elis) being mediocre; were he called up I wouldn't have any problems (other than my perpetual beef about RWC focus at the expense of tours and immediate matches)--he has always given his all for any team he has played in--as far asI can tell. Personally I would prefer to see Pulu. The author has named a possible team and it highlights how open some of the spots are (due to excess talent available in some spots) and how hard it will be to select. Romano for Thrush? Which prop to omit? To Dagg or not to Dagg? TKB or Perenara or Pulu?

Don't know why Ellis' name keeps coming up. Its clear Hansen isn't going back to him, said he doesnt fit the AB gameplan. If he is in the picture why would Pulu have been called up? Not sure what this need is to keep the name alive. He's mediocre at AB level.