Steve Hansen has revealed the 31-man Rugby World Cup squad tasked with winning an unprecedented third straight title for the All Blacks in Japan this year.
While the side is typically strong, there are some surprising omissions. There’s no room for barnstorming centre Ngani Laumape, experienced prop Owen Franks or powerful back-rower Liam Squire.
Franks’ omission, coming after New Zealand’s scrum was much improved in his absence during their Bledisloe 2 win, likely marks the end of his 108-Test career, with Atu Moli preferred to the veteran in the front row. Moli is one of five props in the squad alongside Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao and Ofa Tuungafasi.
Four centres were picked ahead of Laumape – Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Goodhue and Ryan Crotty, the last three working their way into the squad despite recent injuries.
Liam Squire, who has had injury troubles of his own and played no part in the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship, was also left out, with selectors opting instead for one-cap back-rower Luke Jacobson. Hansen said that Squire wasn’t considered for the initial 31-man squad, but has made himself available should the side need a replacement during the tournament.
There’s some good news on the injury front, though, with star lock Brodie Retallick named in the squad despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in the side’s Rugby Championship draw with South Africa.
While expected to be passed fit for the knockout matches, Retallick won’t be available for the pool stage, leaving just three healthy second-row options for the opening games of the tournament: Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu.
Richie Mo’unga was also included as the side’s main five-eighth despite hurting his shoulder in the All Blacks’ Bledisloe 2 victory, with Beauden Barrett joining him in the squad for the duo to reprise their 10-15 combination used in the last three Tests.
Surprisingly, Hansen revealed there are three further back-ups at no.10: Crotty, Jordie Barrett and TJ Perenara, none of whom play much rugby in the position.
Perenara was one of three scrumhalves selected, alongside first-choice 9 Aaron Smith and Chiefs counterpart Brad Weber, while Hansen also opted to take three hookers: Dane Coles, Cody Taylor and Liam Coltman.
The outside backs were named as expected, with George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece and Ben Smith joining Beauden and Jordie Barrett as the back-three options.
Forwards
Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Luke Jacobson, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Joe Moody, Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea, Angus Ta’avao, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Sam Whitelock
Backs
Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Richie Mo’unga, TJ Perenara, Sevu Reece, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Brad Weber, Sonny Bill Williams
moaman
Roar Guru
Very lazy spelling there Gloria. "Your"??? Tut,tut. Perhaps you aren't the right person to judge?
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Well you should have answered it then. I mean why wouldn't you. The Chase contestant did. You were the one that raised the matter of players being sent off and this question immediately come to mind as it had been on the programme only a few days previously in NZ. Another point is that the first AB sent off was 51 years prior to the first Eng player ever sent off. NZ in fact had two players sent off ever before the first England player. Another point is that Eng never had a player sent off at home until 2005 - Moody. As a matter of interest Eng players sent off are; - Burton 1975, Grewcock 1998, Shaw 2004, Moody 2005, Daly 2016. PS. These points have nothing to do with anything really. But it was fun. :happy:
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Look forward to having you on board!!
Bobbles
Guest
Like Scott Barrets?
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Andy I'm an ABs fan too. 2nd after wallabies. I'm 100% aussie but now follow ABs out of sheer admiration for the worlds best sporting team of any code. Plus I love NZ - great country imo. When WBs get knocked out in quarter finals I will be fully supporting ABs. :)
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
Hopefully having Mataele available next year will give the Cru the opportunity to mix and match in their backline a bit - and give Ennor more of a go at 13 (definitely want to see this), Goodhue at 12 (I think this would be good for him) and Havilli at 12 as well (his original position and one that would be good for him to nail). All those things would be good for AB selectors as well.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Yes, I knew the answer to the question was Mike Burton. What I didn’t know was: 1. You were asking me. 2. What an earth it’s got to do with my point.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think the 2013 team was better, probably...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Pocock would still make starting 15. Unsure as to how he arguably lacks the skill or workrate of Cane or Savea, when he is usually equal or better than both of them in work rate. Personally, I think your comment comes across as vastly overstating how good this All Blacks squad is, and how poor the Wallabies one is. This isn't super rare for Kiwi fans, but I'm honestly surprised that the decline of the team in the last 18 months hasn't resulted in a few more honest appraisals about the current All Blacks squad. I'm sure the All Blacks selectors would see it differently if they had the choice of Aussie players.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah, another way of looking at it is the All Blacks have picked: - their best flyhalf at flyhalf - their best fullback at fullback - formerly the world's best right wing on the right wing I think the concerns around the consistency of the Ben and Aaron Smiths are the only points that have validity. Aaron still puts in some world beating performances, but he now has more average days at the office than he ever used to.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Well, he use to be the best flyhalf, He use to be the best fullback, SBW is old (and injured) Brodie is broken (but will get better) And there is still some life in the old bullet pass yet when the big show happens. I might be wrong though, it happens often.
Coconut
Guest
Well no, its not obvious, because only one of the coaches you refer to can claim to have coached a World Cup winning team, so even by the standard you just applied after saying he was 'brilliant wherever he coaches', I don't see your comment about his 'brilliance' as a fact. I think he is a very good coach and has a very astute rugby brain - but I don't see your comparisons between the two coaches as either useful or accurate. Just my opinion however, and not a fact.
Kane
Roar Guru
Hmm are you saying its genetic then?
taylorman
Roar Guru
geez, if SBWs boxing experience is helping his AB chances then we're in real trouble. Once again he's picked on faith alone and all up, hasnt had an AB career of great note. Has done largely nothing this year where Laumapes stats are all over his. If the ABs falter this will be one of the selections that contribute to it. Betcha.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Thanks, Faith.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Burton 1975
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
The Bus either doesn't know the answer or can't bring himself to answer it. :stoked: Mike Burton 1975
Atapene
Guest
You might be right, but Read isnt trying to be the guy he was 4 years ago. He doesnt pop up out wide offloading, that will be savea or todd now, or scott barrett. You have to change your game as you get older, he's no exception. Doesnt mean he wont do a great job though
Atapene
Guest
Fair enough about the 6, but really when you look at them they all play like 6 in a large way, apart from Todd, and Jacobson is a 6 anyway.
Atapene
Guest
Thats true, although they both have the league shoulder that might pop out at a terrible moment