We’re now just four months out from World Rugby’s pinnacle event, and with time quickly slipping by it’s time to take a look at who will contest Bill at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Here are my 33 All Blacks squad members, starting from up front.
1. Tyrel Lomax
From being shunted around by the Waratahs just 12 months ago, Tyrel has become a rock of the new-look All Blacks front row.
2. Ethan de Groot
The man from the south has upped his work rate, tightened his scrummaging and is now the first-choice prop.
3. Joe Moody
An experienced prop, Moody has taken a while to get into his work with the Crusaders, but is a valuable bench replacement.
4. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Mobile, strong and able to play both sides of the scrum, Ofa is invaluable as a back-up and squad man.
5. Tamaiti Williams
Maiti by name, mighty by stature. The young Crusaders prop is New Zealand’s answer to the French giants. Still young, but strong and mobile, a tough call in an area where the All Blacks depth isn’t as great as it has been in the past.
6. Samisoni Taukei’aho
Just imagine facing down the human wrecking ball? New Zealand’s No.1 hooker.
7. Codie Taylor
The experienced Crusader has had his wobbles over the past few years, but is the pick of the experienced hookers.
8. Asafo Aumua
Has timed his run well, finally delivering on his promise. In the same mode as Taukei’aho, Aumua will bring impact from the bench. Don’t be surprised if his mate Colesy is ‘holidaying’ in France in September (just in case of any injuries).
9. Sam Whitelock
Third most capped men’s Test player of all time. With well over 140 Tests on the clock, like a Toyota ute he just keeps on going, leading from the front. Is he the All Blacks’ greatest-ever lock?
10. Brodie Retallick
If not Whitelock, then the All Blacks GOAT lock must be Guzzler. He’s rediscovered form in the Chiefs engine and looks to be peaking at just the right time.
11. Scott Barrett
The slowest of the Barretts, but still a menace at the breakdown and in the loose. Will he start or cover from the bench as a 4/5/6?
12. Tupou Vaa’i
Rangey, athletic, tall, Vaa’I is the next generation of All Blacks lock and worthy replacement on the bench. There’s a bit of depth at lock in New Zealand, so Vaa’i will need to maintain his fitness and form, but for now is in the squad as lock cover.
13. Sam Cane
Another to be finding form at just the right time is Captain Cane. Built like a human torpedo, he’s been rock solid for the Chiefs and continues to prove his worth in the tight stuff.
14. Ardie Savea
Enough said.
15. Shannon Frizell
Big, brash and strong. Needs to play consistently, but is the enforcer the All Blacks need.
16. Dalton Papali’i
The super sub. Has had a relatively quiet super season so far, but was the starting 7 by the end of 2022. Will be pushing Captain Cane hard.
17. Ethan Blackadder
Has had a horror run with injuries, but if fit he makes the plane and will be pushing for the starting 6 spot. An absolute workhorse who just keeps going and going.
18. Luke Jacobson
Old rock shoulders. Hits hard and can cover 6, 7 and 8. Working in tandem with the more athletic loose forwards, Jacobson won’t take a backwards step.
19. Aaron Smith
Like Whitelock, Smith has been at the top of his game for over a decade. An absolute giant for the All Blacks despite his size. Needs to re-find his running game to compliment his lightning pass and kicking.
20. Brad Weber
The second-best halfback in New Zealand currently. A worthy replacement for Smith and a deadly combination with Damian McKenzie.
21. Cameron Roigard
The Hurricanes halfback has size, speed and a pass to boot. Will trouble tiring defences and pips Finlay Christie who is just too similar to the two other halves.
22. Richie Mo’unga
Despite patchy Super form, he is the All Blacks’ best 10. His game control will be tested if the forwards don’t lay a platform, but generally looks cool and calm under pressure.
23. Beauden Barrett
Remember 2015? Remember Dan Carter? Carter limped through to the World Cup, then lit it up and was named World Player of the Year. Likewise Barrett hasn’t been in career-best form, looking shy at taking the ball to the line, but has the ball on a string and provides worthy back up at 10.
24. Damian McKenzie: The form 10 at Super Rugby level. Another super sub, covering 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15. Look for DMac to light it up from the bench.
25. Rieko Ioane
Like him or loathe him in the midfield, Rieko is the best centre we have currently. Able to light up a backline and punish mistakes with his lightning pace.
26. Jordie Barrett
Finally a 12 with size, speed and a multitude of skills. His long-distance kicking could be the difference come finals time.
27. David Havili
Versatile cover for 12 or fullback. Havili is finding form and his ability to kick, pass and run provides versatility.
28. Anton Lienert-Brown
Another to have suffered a string of injuries, if fit ALB picks himself. The glue and an exceptional organiser at 12 or 13.
29. Shaun Stevenson
What’s not to like about this guy? Big, fast, reliable. Will be pushing BBBBB for the starting 15 spot.
30. Mark Talea
The form wing from the 2022 EOYT. Will look to use his pace, strength and tackle breaking ability to light up the scoreboard.
31. Leicester Fainga’anuku
With the ability to cover both the wings and midfield, the big Crusader provides bench and squad cover.
32. Caleb Clarke
Big, strong, fast but a potential liability on defence where he takes an age to turn and cover (Lomu anyone?). Will need to find form to hold a starting spot.
33. Emoni Narawa
The bolter. Provides something different to the other outside backs and will trouble defences who won’t have the experience or video reels to combat this new force on the wing.
simplesimon23
Roar Rookie
nice work, largely agree. only couple of tweaks are 1) finding space for Jordan (assuming clear on injury front) and 2) hopefully subbing out old 'liability' Tu'ungafasi
Mickelondo
Roar Rookie
Fullback for me !
Mickelondo
Roar Rookie
What ? No Will Jordan ?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No I dont either sadly and Im not one to hope for injuries just so my choice gets a go, so probably the best I can hope for is time off the bench for him.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Agree with a lot of what you’ve said Jacko, but I still don’t see them picking DMac as the first choice 10.
donmcdazzle
Roar Rookie
Do you write anywhere else? Been missing your analysis of the tactical side of things the last few weeks.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Is Ainsley a serious option? I'm thinking no one has got the better of him so far this year. Zilch talk about him in the circles.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Thinking that Ah Kuoi has a good chance next year fighting it out with Blackadder when Frizell leaves at the end of the year.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Strong squad mate. Question mark over Ofa; work-rate. Also reckon McKenzie and Jordan will make the plane...
CUW
Roar Rookie
this looks like the best NZ has atm - but just think of the choices france Ireland have !!!
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I reckon you will be very close to the mark on this squad. Picking the outside backs is going to be a hard one. Lots of great options and some players in great form at the moment. Foster named dropped Narawa the other week, who is stepping up this season. I think Will Jordan has enough banked from the last couple of years that he’s going to be there if fit. Might be hard to leave at Stevenson but him and Jordan are similar players with wing/fullback cover. On the fullbacks there is a lot of cover there within the potential squad. B. Barrett, J. Barrett, McKenzie, Havili, Jordan and Stevenson if selected. With that versatility that may allow selecting some more specialists in a couple of positions such as midfield.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Mounga wont win NZ a world cup. He just isnt that person, cant play any other position, has average days way more than he should and isnt in form. What possible reason is there to keep him over a guy running his team for an unbeaten season, taking holes where they dont exist, kicking the important goals ( I wonder if the Saders Chiefs game would have been different if Mounga could have kicked better earlier in the match. Was it 2 pens he missed? ) and making the breaks followed by great offloads. Mounga's history says he has been a fantastic SR level player but very few would rate his as a successful test 10 based on 2019 and beyond. Agree something is wrong with BB at the moment. perhaps they have just screwed with him so much he is very confused what they want and is scared to do anything, but Mounga is also looking like a shadow of himself and he never reached the heights of BB anyway. Id say if Dmac concedes a try a game but creates 3 thats a good return and rugby needs attackers when you have the ball.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Who? And just make sure that one of the skillsets is pace. I dont see them changing now. Is it 7 tests to go now? Just not enough time to experiment so they will pick and stick Id say, sadly.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I do believe Clarke has had his best year involvement wise but for me 21 tries from 21 tests put Jordan ahead of most. Hopefully thats the end of his issues. Im not really a Goodhue fan. Too slow for the modern game. JB at 12 and RI or ALB at 13. Id like to see Levi Aumua given a chance at 13 too but we are running out of time. As Ive said for some time we definately have talent coming thru but maybe just a year too early for the WC sadly.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
Cheers KiwiHaydn, nice squad. Should see some players come into form over next few weeks, some have been humming and others have been slow to form. Hoping Goodhue and ALB can stay healthy, could do with one outside JB.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Reiko to cover 13,? Hardly as I’d rather have him covering waterboy. We have far better even with ALB out, in that position that know the overall skill set that’s required.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well after last night Jacko, Jordan’s a must, as I would leave Clarke out for Fainga’anuku any day. On Jack Goodhue we’ll see after he returns as what he’s shown so far in his very limited appearances has shown his class. He alone with the other Cantabrian that plays for the Chiefs, ALB would be a classic duo in the midfield
donmcdazzle
Roar Rookie
Really good article - sums up my concerns perfectly. Would it kill the NZ journos to do any analysis like this? So frustrating how the NZ rugby journos don't even begin to scratch below the surface when it is their fully paid job to be experts.
donmcdazzle
Roar Rookie
Jacko we have sparred lightly over this one, and it's obvious I'm not great fan of DMac so I am probably a little biased. However, the root of my concern is the error rate / decision making. In tight tests, low error rate is more important than the magic plays. In that first 20 against the Crusaders it sort of highlighted how you can rattle him at 10. To his credit he popped up brilliantly in the second half (although mostly from 15 as usual). Now, Mo'unga hasn't set the world alight this year by his own standards, but he is just more 'solid' at 10 than McKenzie. Decision making and option taking is evidenced by the much lower error and turnover rare. Barrett has looked a shadow is his former self, no idea what is going on with him. On the other hand, I have finally come around a bit on McKenzie's value as a utility, and for mine he looks like he might displace BB from the utility bench spot. Confidence is at an all time high, and I have to say his decision making from 15 is looking pretty good. The choices he made when to run and pass against the (admittedly poor defensively) Highlanders was impressive to see. I don't think I would love him there under a high ball barrage, but off the bench with 20 to go against tired legs is maybe the right option for him.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Jordan looked like he had never been away