The All Blacks have their named their first squad of 2019, picking four potential debutants in a strong 39-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Chiefs flanker Luke Jacobson, Highlanders five-eighth Josh Ioane and the Crusaders backline pair of Braydon Ennor back Sevu Reece have are the four uncapped players in the squad as coach Steve Hansen keeps one eye on the Rugby World Cup in Septemeber.
Luke Whitelock, Akira Ioane, David Havili and All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu, who looks to have missed his last chance at wearing the black again, are some of the notable exceptions from the announcement. Liam Squire is absent from the squad as well after making himself unavailable for selection, stating his unreadiness to return to the international stage.
Also missing out on the squad, but purely due to injury reasons, are Ryan Crotty, Scott Barrett, Tim Perry and Damian McKenzie.
Hansen has named a larger squad than usual to factor in the Crusaders late run in their Super Rugby campaign, with the final this Saturday against the Jaguares.
“It allows us to pick a very strong squad for what will be a challenging first Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, while at the same time giving most of the Crusaders players in the All Blacks a rest from what has been a very tough Investec Super Rugby Finals campaign,” Hansen said.
He also made it clear that his side is as hungry as ever to achieve success in all tournaments they play in.
“We’re going to try and do something that’s never been done before and that’s to win three Rugby World Cups in a row. However, that’s not a given. We’re going to have to be hungry for success and we’re going to have to work incredibly hard and smart to achieve this.
“Whilst recapturing the Rugby World Cup and the Bledisloe Cup are two of the end goals for the year, we have to deal with the here and now, which is getting ready to face two quality oppositions in Argentina and South Africa.
“The challenge and the aim of the first two matches is not only to play winning rugby but attractive, exciting rugby. To do this, we’ll have to quickly reconnect the players from the various Super Rugby clubs back into the All Blacks’ ways. We will need to master our game by improving our execution. To do this, our skillsets and decision making will be our key focus.”
After the Rugby Championship, the squad will be filtered down to 31 players for the World Cup.
Forwards
Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Jackson Hemopo, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Matt Todd
Backs
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Josh Ioane, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Braydon Ennor, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Absolutely - evidenced by depth and supreme skill levels.
Watcher
Guest
Akira is a good player but fades out in games. I think he needs to go to the Highlanders and out of his comfort zone to reach his potential. Good squad, unlucky men for ne are Havili and Harris.
Henry Honey Balls
Guest
ABs name 5 residency qualified players in their squad. That's a lot by international standards.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Whew, wouldn’t have in 11 or 15, but it would now?
moaman
Roar Guru
I think you mean 'averse' TM but we know what you were trying to say. When I was a kid my 'hero' was BG Williams.I adopted the huge sidestep (but not the huge thighs!)...thought he was the bee's knees. He said somewhere that after his breakthrough year 1970 when he was going for a run he would get halfway to the top of the hill and say "that will do" whereas prior to the SA tour (of '70) he would say to himself "if I get to the top I might make the squad" and push himself that extra bit. Aumua was feted by all and sundry after his RWCu20 campaign....maybe he got a bit ahead of himself which the occasional 20 year old has been known to do.....
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
Looks like Williams has broken down again. Your point is under-scored.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
I think there's a little denial that Nonu has still got it. Based on his performance in the Blues this season, I'd say he does. He still seems to have his fast and forceful moments, and more importantly he's one of the best distributors in the game. His biggest flaw in my eyes (and which he's always had) is his penchant for making line breaks with no awareness of his own team's position, catching them by surprise, resulting too often in him getting isolated and turning the ball over. It took an absolute rugby genius (Conrad Smith) to be aware enough to stay with him when those breaks would come completely out of the blue. Hmm... maybe it would work with Reece outside him? But then Nonu would have to play 13, when I think he's more a 12 now. Or Nonu could play 10, but we have waaaay too much talent there for him to get a look in. SBW is an injury magnet and might well not last the distance, but I wouldn't put money on Nonu coming in even if he doesn't. There's just too much competition from newcomers. Personally, right now I'd choose Nonu over Laumape, but I wouldn't bet on me not changing my mind by the time the RWC rolls round. Hansen just cannot afford to leave Laumape out.
Jacko
Guest
TBH it would work out great if SBW was injured before the WC and missed the WC...That would mean Hansen had no choice but to move on and would probably mean laumape would come in and really begin his ABs career....But if SBW stays fit between now and then then I dont have an issue with him in the Squad......He offers something others dont but I no longer really know what that is.....His first game back for the Blues where he played a full game was not bad for a guy that had been out for so long....
Jacko
Guest
Thanks Zado....GFYS
Fox
Roar Guru
He has been playing club Rugby and Hansen has said they are happy with how he has been going and now come back to AB squad for training. You have to SBW credit - he works really hard to get back to form and does whatever it takes and a guy that that in your squad can do a lot of good around the team and younger players
Fox
Roar Guru
Or Reece who is the specialist on the right wing
Fox
Roar Guru
Yep that would seem to be the plan and why they have him in the RC squad
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
No doubt the variables that go into selecting an AB team are many. A player who is leaving to go overseas that has never been an AB would weigh quite heavily against him I'm guessing. Regards Hemopo, I would not be surprised if they are hoping to get him back from Japan.
Jacko
Guest
Jacobson looks to be a really hard worker and its probably the 8 where the selectors see him but with him also offering an option for 6 it certainly helps his selection chances.... Im not so sure Id like TJP to be the 10 in any other than a yellow card type situation.....a bit like when Dmac went to halfback for 10 mins.... I dont expect Ioane to be in the WC squad but any injury and he will be called in...
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Hopefully Ioane is not hanging about making these sort of comparisons with other players as you are Smoothy. Rightly or wrongly it is clear the selectors have some issues with Ioane. Hansen was quite blunt about it yesterday. Hopefully he will take this on board and change his ways and fulfill his potential. What did Hansen say yesterday...something like you can take the horse to the water but not make it drink..."he has to get thirsty". Its a pretty clear message.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
When quizzed on Havili, Grant Fox (selector) said he could not have done much more than he did but it was more or less a case of not being able to pick everyone. I didn't get the impression they weren't impressed with his form. The selectors place significant emphasis on utility value and that's probably where JBarrett shades Havili. Havili plays generally at fullback although he has been known to play midfield as well. As Fox said they have plenty of midfield cover.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Here's Hansen's reasoning (more or less):- - come into the season not as fit as he could have been (also problem in the past) - trying to get fit whilst playing - he's a tired athlete - didn't see best of him during Super Rugby and others played well and put themselves in front of him - the need him to take ownership of whats under the surface (potential I guess he means) and when he does he will be selected.
Old Bugger
Guest
No thunder from me T-man but I suggest, the reason why props aren't considered for throwing-in is because one of their other prime roles, is to be a "lifter" alongside being a blocker. Considering the props are suppose to be scrum book-ends and hence somewhat bigger/larger than the average hooker, then their line-out role would be to "lift and block" as opposed to throwing. Mind you having said that, I'm sure the one or two props would be responsible for throwing his opponent, out of the line-out but, that's about the only throwing I foresee, for props. Good question tho'......
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Shirley I want to see them play the Crusaders! :-) Cheers KP
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Our stocks are different on this side of the Tasman, challenge to make finals in october, not win the last one in november.... :-(