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Rugby World Cup 2015
2011 RWC - Any bolters for the All Blacks and Who will miss out?
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 380052" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>I reckon Henry and co. have the majority of the squad already nailed down, but there are a few positions still available (e.g. McCaw's & Carters backups..).</p><p></p><p>If I was picking a 30-man squad I'd go for:</p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Props: </strong>Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Woodcock, Afoa (I'd imagine that's who the AB selectors will go for as well. Crockett, MacIntosh, or even young Toby Smith could force there way into the squad if they have huge Super Rugby seasons. Can't see Tialata making his way back)</p><p><strong>Hookers:</strong> Mealamu, Hore, Elliot (Best three hookers by a long way in my opinion - Elliot looked like he was more than ready for test rugby in his matches last year. The other three main contenders all have flaws e.g de Malmanche (can't throw straight), Rutledge (a midget), Flynn (just not very good anymore).</p><p><strong>Locks: </strong>Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Boric, Donnelly (Ali Williams will make the squad if he gets close to his best, but that is yet to be seen. Others such as Eaton, Bekhuis, and Jack could also force their way in)</p><p><strong>Loosies:</strong> Kaino, Thomson, McCaw, Todd, Read (Kaino, McCaw and Read are certainties, while Thomson would be a certainty in my squad. Not yet sure who the fifth loosie should be, but have picked Todd as he has a much better running game than Braid, which I think the AB's need. The other options would be to use Thomson as the primary backup to McCaw, in which case Vito and Messem would certainly come into contention)</p><p><strong>Halfbacks: </strong>Cowan, Mathewson, Weepu (Best three by miles in my opinion, though the AB selectors may pick Ellis)</p><p><strong>First-fives: </strong>Carter, Slade (Only one backup 10 is needed, as Weepu can cover this position very capably. My next choice would be MacAlister, followed by probably Delany)</p><p><strong>Midfield:</strong> Nonu, SBW, Smith, Fruean (Hard choice for me, as I thought Kahui was outstanding for the AB's last year, but he will most likely be injured in any case. Have included Fruean as I wanted plenty of backup at centre, because I don't want to have Muliaina playing at 13 in the quarters/semis... Fruean still needs to work on his defense but he is near on unstoppable with the ball in hand. I've also been really impressed with Jarred Payne over the last year...)</p><p><strong>Outside Backs: </strong>Gear, Dagg, Toeava, Jane, Muliaina (Probably the area with the most genuine contenders. I will probably change my opinion on these players every week, as I don't think there is much between them - if Sivivatu gets back to near his best form I would have him ahead of Dagg. Not convinced about Rokocoko - he's looked great during the last two weeks, but he looked great during last years Super 14 season, then followed it up with a unspectacular (though solid) international season. I'd be happy with any of Ranger, Rokocoko, Sivivatu, or Ben Smith in addition to the 5 I have selected, while Maitland, Guildford, Masaga, and Nanai-Williams could push for spots if they have outstanding Super rugby seasons).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 380052, member: 24910"] I reckon Henry and co. have the majority of the squad already nailed down, but there are a few positions still available (e.g. McCaw's & Carters backups..). If I was picking a 30-man squad I'd go for: [B] Props: [/B]Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Woodcock, Afoa (I'd imagine that's who the AB selectors will go for as well. Crockett, MacIntosh, or even young Toby Smith could force there way into the squad if they have huge Super Rugby seasons. Can't see Tialata making his way back) [B]Hookers:[/B] Mealamu, Hore, Elliot (Best three hookers by a long way in my opinion - Elliot looked like he was more than ready for test rugby in his matches last year. The other three main contenders all have flaws e.g de Malmanche (can't throw straight), Rutledge (a midget), Flynn (just not very good anymore). [B]Locks: [/B]Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Boric, Donnelly (Ali Williams will make the squad if he gets close to his best, but that is yet to be seen. Others such as Eaton, Bekhuis, and Jack could also force their way in) [B]Loosies:[/B] Kaino, Thomson, McCaw, Todd, Read (Kaino, McCaw and Read are certainties, while Thomson would be a certainty in my squad. Not yet sure who the fifth loosie should be, but have picked Todd as he has a much better running game than Braid, which I think the AB's need. The other options would be to use Thomson as the primary backup to McCaw, in which case Vito and Messem would certainly come into contention) [B]Halfbacks: [/B]Cowan, Mathewson, Weepu (Best three by miles in my opinion, though the AB selectors may pick Ellis) [B]First-fives: [/B]Carter, Slade (Only one backup 10 is needed, as Weepu can cover this position very capably. My next choice would be MacAlister, followed by probably Delany) [B]Midfield:[/B] Nonu, SBW, Smith, Fruean (Hard choice for me, as I thought Kahui was outstanding for the AB's last year, but he will most likely be injured in any case. Have included Fruean as I wanted plenty of backup at centre, because I don't want to have Muliaina playing at 13 in the quarters/semis... Fruean still needs to work on his defense but he is near on unstoppable with the ball in hand. I've also been really impressed with Jarred Payne over the last year...) [B]Outside Backs: [/B]Gear, Dagg, Toeava, Jane, Muliaina (Probably the area with the most genuine contenders. I will probably change my opinion on these players every week, as I don't think there is much between them - if Sivivatu gets back to near his best form I would have him ahead of Dagg. Not convinced about Rokocoko - he's looked great during the last two weeks, but he looked great during last years Super 14 season, then followed it up with a unspectacular (though solid) international season. I'd be happy with any of Ranger, Rokocoko, Sivivatu, or Ben Smith in addition to the 5 I have selected, while Maitland, Guildford, Masaga, and Nanai-Williams could push for spots if they have outstanding Super rugby seasons). [/QUOTE]
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2011 RWC - Any bolters for the All Blacks and Who will miss out?
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