With lock, I reckon by the time these fellas come through we'll already be pretty well set. Retallick looks like a real keeper. Whitelock is good. Hopefully Boric is fit. Then Eaton, Donnelly, Bekhuis, Romano, Hoeata battling it out for the last spot. We still have young guys like Broadhurst, Moli and Luatua who could be very good. Another couple wouldn't hurt, though. You might get your wish, though. Although he isn't isn't this team (broken hand) Michael Fatialofa is a huge, powerful lock who has been playing for Southland. Nick Ross is and athletic lock who has also done some good work in rowing circles. I don't know much about Joe Latta and Christian Lloyd but Latta has had some time for Wellington and Lloyd has been pretty close (started a preseason game I think?). I think it is probably a strength of this team.
Halfback is pretty much the same, IMHO. Perenara, Smith and Kerr-Barlow coming through. Older fellows like Ellis, Mathewson, Leonard and (at this stage) Weepu. Pulu and Frae Wilson also look to be reasonable backups. As long as these halfbacks aren't utter rubbish, I'm happy. I reckon if we could ask a magic genie for a star player, I think halfback would be close to last on the list. Though, I believe Bryn Hall has had some offers from league so he could be decent.
At centre, I agree. I thought you meant outside centre (which I just call centre) as opposed to the midfield (as I call it)
I definitely think we need a good second-five coming through the ranks. Ngatai could be good but we've seen little of him so far. Treeby seems like a bit of a ball hog to me. Could be good if he improves his distribution. Apart from that the options are average at best. We're all right at outside centre for a bit, though. Conrad Smith might not be around too much longer but if Kahui can keep fit, we can bring Fruean in the squad (let's just hope he improves his defense and distribution). Ellison is a decent backup option. I've heard good things about Ope Peleseuma (our second five). I think he was one of the top performers against Aussie Schools.
I'd most like to see a world class hooker. With Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu and Corey Flynn fast becoming old men I think we could be in trouble in a few years. Hika Elliot doesn't seem to be favoured by the selectors and Dane Coles is ill-disciplined and seems a bit small. Funnell, Brayden Mitchell and Liam Coltman could all be good but we haven't seen enough of them. Hopefully next year they start to get some game time. I've heard Rhys Marshall could be good at hooker. We also have Gafatasi Sua who I think is currently injured, unfortunately.
@Cave Dweller: Well we have left out TJ Perenara and Sam Cane to give you guys a chance. Looks like you're taking it, unlike England.
