Steve Hansen probably has 26 or 27 players inked into the Air New Zealand flight manifesto and has all of August to make the call on the last four or five players.
There’s no doubt he will wait till the last moment, since he wants to know about the fitness of his props.
Number 9
Hansen has a tough choice between journeyman Andy Ellis (who’ll make fewer mistakes and big plays), the tough Tawera Kerr-Barlow, and Brad Weber.
Kerr-Barlow is in the same boat as Springboks captain Jean de Villiers – recovering from a gruesome knee injury and will either make it just in time or just too late.
Ellis was unlucky for years, but then when he got his chance against Samoa, he was really off the pace. Still, if Hansen is imagining the scenario under which he will see his third scrumhalf, I think he’d go with the oldie.
Number 10
Doesn’t it come down to a simple choice between Lima Sopoaga and Colin Slade?
Slade can play (not star, but play) at more positions, however Sopoaga is in good form. Again, it’s a similar choice, and it’s likely Hansen will go with an Ellis-Slade pairing in a pinch.
At the back, the big question seems to be Israel Dagg. Has he shown enough?
I’ve always rated Dagg, and not just because I think it’s imperative to have a big boot at 15. I think he can create channels of attack, and he’s not afraid of the big stage.
Forwards
At prop, it’s likely Charlie Faumuina won’t lose his spot if he can get healthy, but isn’t Nepo Laulala impressive?
At hooker, I thought all season that Hika Elliot had staked his claim, but then Codie Taylor seemed to steal his thunder.
Does Ellis Park knock James Broadhurst out?
In the loose forwards, it’s Sam Cane versus Matt Todd. Wouldn’t most teams love that to be their problem?
I’d go with Todd, but it’s really a no-lose choice.
The final head-scratcher for Hansen might be Liam Messam or Victor Vito. The latter is a better fit if he has to play all loose positions.
My All Blacks squad
Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jeremy Thrush, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumaina, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor.
Who would you pick? Have I identified the main puzzles?
The Twins
Roar Rookie
Yes and it was sunk...
Harry Jones
Expert
Agree; Slade can lose the plot under pressure.
Harry Jones
Expert
That's high praise for Cane, Rugby Tragic!
kelefua
Guest
You could be right there Harry. If Hansen goes with only two specialist halfbacks we could see Sopoaga in there to get some game in the pool matches. Kane has more test experience & current form so Todd may miss out as cover. What stands out for me are the amount of quality players that won't be involved. Depth in abundance. It's a real possibility All Blacks will be the first to win back to back worldcups. If that happens the scariest thing for other teams is alot of these guys will be peaking at the next one in 2019. Add to that another generation of ABs.
Taylorman
Guest
I think they go white baiting around that time. :-)
Old Bugger
Guest
Short answers - yes and yes....
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Does the ITM run during the WC? All the fringe players will be still match fit then?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Still would love to see skudder on the wing, he was magical in S15. Piutau can cover full back and both wings, so a good utility. To many hard choices in the AB's
Old Bugger
Guest
NB A bloody good side there and hard to even challenge your alternates....well, maybe Taylor over Hika, perhaps. But I do have a question - there are whispers (you know grapevine stuff whispers) that Hansen may pull a rabbit out of the bag by selecting 2 HBs only. If that happens, who would you choose to fill the space - a back or a forward?? I think its safe to say that everybody, knows my option - take Vito.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
I would drop Barret for Sopo
Riccardo
Guest
Good article Harry. Laulala was impressive and may still get the nod but Faumuina will still be the selector's preference. Similarly with Cane. He has been their prodigy for a few years now and that seems unlikely to change. Messam has been a valuable servant but with Kaino back and Vito having superior form Liam may be surplus to requirements too. Ellis blew any meagre opportunity he had in Samoa. TKB will be the third scrum half unless injury catapults Weber into the mix. They've given Taylor a chance he has grabbed impressively which knocks Hika out of the mix. A shame but there it is. I'm a huge fan of the 2010 Cory Jane. That fend. Extraordinary under the high ball and a superb operator on the right flank. But he has not really impressed since his injury and will need to up the ante with Piutau's superb recent form; Charles is likely to provide better back three cover. I'm not convinced of Slade's utility value and I find him flaky at this level. With Barrett likely to continue his impact form the pine behind Carter I am picking Sopoaga has done enough with Cruden out to get that last berth. I'm not sure they have the last back three berth nailed down. Moala, Osbourne, Milner-Skudder would all impress but Dagg's boot and big game experience may get him over the line. Squad: Props: Franks O – Franks B – Crocket – Woodcock – Faumuina/Laulala Hookers: Mealamu- Coles- Taylor Locks: Whitelock – Retallick – Romano - Thrush Loosies: McCaw – Read – Cane – Kaino – Vito Halfbacks: Smith – Perenara - TKB Fly Haves: Cater – Barret – Sopoaga Centres: Nonu – SBW – Fekitoa – Smith Back Three: Dagg – Smith – Piutau – Savea
Old Bugger
Guest
Mate - I see Hansen & Co as just covering all bases atm. They've given GM a run in the AB environment and I'm sure he and the coaching team are very happy with his Samoa performance....but, GM covers the RW spot. Hansen and Co IMO, are now looking at the LW spot hence Osborne's invitation to join the environment. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained - also, I think Osborne will thoroughly enjoy, the next 2 weeks and pick-up a truck-load of information, for his future development.
Taylorman
Guest
One for kiwis...would George Moala not have been a better option than Osborne for the right wing spot? He was player of the match versus Samoa and unlike Osborne plays out of 12 and probably 13 as well. I think he's an all round better ball runner, pretty sure he's quicker, and more physical on the tackle. Appreciate its not the full squad but can't see why Moala has been left out after such a good performance. Wouldn't mind seeing Smith, Savea, Moala as the back three were Piutau to get injured. Just think he's pointing higher than Osborne at the moment.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Romano developed into being the enforcer if you like, it was his injury I think that really gave Brodie R his legup. Then came along the Blues Patrick Tuipuloto, a big young powerful lock with a running game... nothing to dislike about him and at 23 years of age has the best years ahead of him. Next year Patrick Tuipuloto takes over 1st drop and I would not be surprised to see him challenge for 'a starters spot to make his own'. In terms of those locks picked in the squad for the Bled, behind Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, I think Luke Romano 'maybe net off the rank, ahead of the dependable but unspectacle., Jeremy Thrush. I have ignored James Broadhurst at this moment (though he might get some game time in one of the two matches coming up) as he had a great season for the Hurricanes but I was disappointed with him against the Boks. That performance made me wonder if he can handle and be as effective at the higher level. Hansen might have uncovered a good 'un with Taylor which would be a pity for Elliot who came back strong from his op, but cannot stop the rugby factory. Coltman would also be pushed down another rung too ... a cruel game this! Ardie Savea will be an All Black (barring injuries of course), of that there is little doubt but his play needs to mature. To me he is a little Akira Ioane of the Blues, both are raw, impetuous yet enthusiastic have oodles of potential but try to do too much on their own. As for now, I think Cane is the 2nd best No 7 in the world sitting behind David Pocock so that is easy for me to have Cane ahead of Todd.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yes NB but why would one weaken a position to strengthen another. If Ben Smith is the best fullback in the world (subjective I know), why not play him there rather than to play, a lesser fullback, then great player that Ben Smith is, he is not the best centre.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
CK, Charles Faumuina has been named in the Bledisloe Squad, so what does that mean?
fiddlesticks
Guest
i am thinking the Uruguay are a great chance of beating them, plus i heard India is running a reality TV show to field a side. 1 billion people can not be wrong
canadiankiwi
Guest
I am not a fan of 3 centers but it is an option if Piutau looks good running at 13 in training. However, I like the idea of 2 specialist 12s and two 13s as Fekitoa has the power, pace, and footwork to play left wing if an injury arose (he played there a few Highlanders' matches in 2013). This allows 4 outside backs (Savea, B.Smith, Piutau, and Dagg), plus Barrett covering 15.
Sylvester
Guest
Ellis got no protection from his forwards against Samoa. See how much it affected Smith on the weekend when the same happened? Ellis is the perfect tournament halfback, so I reckon he's still in the frame. No-one here would be slightly nervous going into world cup final with a TJP/TKB combo if Smith went down, and a little relieved if an experienced player like Ellis was on the bench instead?
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers RT. How close do you think Romano et al compare with the starting AB locks? I think Elliot is a step or two from Coles. Though I think Codie and Coltman are worth a look. Ah yes, i 'foncused' Akira as being a seven like Ardie, as he did play there as reserve 7 at some parts.Though he started at 6 and 8, this year. I do think Cane Todd is still better than Ardie. Having thought about it, it would be an awesome AB team with a Read Kaino Akira backrow. 5 lineout jumpers., Akira with Kaino's power (I think) but very fast.