All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Hookers
Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor
Props
Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks
Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards
Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Matt Todd
Halfbacks
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber
First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga
Midfielders
Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Notable omissions: Owen Franks, Liam Squire, Ngani Laumape
Obviously Owen Franks is a huge call, he has more test caps than all the other props combined. Owen has always been seen as a specialist scrummager and defender around the rucks. He's never been able to develop his ball carrying which has been an anomaly in NZ as I believe NZ pioneered Props that can link, carry and distribute when needed Franks always bucked that trend and seemed to remain old school. I think it could be argued that his ability at scrum time is no longer so much better than the other options we have to lose out on the extra mobility and ball carrying skills guys like Angus and Ofa bring. I'd also say that in recent years when Laulala has been injury free he's been easily the equal of Franks at scrum time. The selection also confirms the remarkable rise of Ta'avao who gave up on his AB dream and went to Aussie to try and make the wallabies, failed in that bid and was lucky to get a spot back in NZ to try and save his career, maybe thanks to karl tu'inukuafe who moved from the Chiefs to the Blues.
Also spare a thought for karl tu'inukuafe who looked like he had become an All Black mainstay with an inspirational story behind his rise in Rugby but he's just struggled to capture that same this year form.
Good to see Moli back the options were light on the loosehead side, he has a ton of ability and looked good for the chiefs on his return from a horrific injury.
Locks were fairly predictable, last WC we went with 3 but with Retalick currently injured and too important to leave out 4 have been selected with Tuipulotu being the obvious benefactor.
That leaves room for just 5 lose forwards 3 of which are specialist open side flankers. I like it I honestly could not leave Todd out the guy would start for any other test side in the world. Tough as nails, stops everything that comes at him and carries hard. This guy could have left NZ long ago after constantly being stuck behind McCaw and Cane what a legend hard for a chiefs supporter to admit, He's absolute class.
Luke Jacobson is a massive call, I would have selected him but I didn't think the selectors would. His stats in super rugby made him the superior option but he had some concussion symptoms which limited his playtime during TRC. Just came back with a big game for Waikato and that was likely enough to see him pip Fifita.
Brad Weber confirmed.
Only 2 first fives and its likely both will be on the park at the same time. Looking for inside the squad for cover at 10 and you find Jordie Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty who apparently played 10 in lower grades. of them the only genuine test goal kicker is Jordie. In an idea world we would only be in a situation to use these options in easier pool games where Bauden and Richie may be rested. Josh Ioane will be on call, also wonder if he will still start against Tonga to give him some more experience in the event he is called in as injury cover later.
Midfield is predictable with Laumape missing out but he needs to stay ready he's the obvious call up and SBW/Crotty have had injury issues the last couple of seasons.
with only 2 first fives selected that means they avoid having to make a huge call at the back with all 5 outside back options picked. The obvious knock on for that is Jordie Barrett and Ben Smith may have to cover 10 in a pinch.
I like this squad, I've been saying for a while now that NZ's best chance at this WC is to be bold on selection and push the evolution of the side. Don't be afraid and get locked into established selections because its WC year.
With Bridge, Sevu, Weber, Jacobson, Ta'avao, Moli, Richie we have bold selections of world class talent that will still be a bit of a mystery for many of our traditional WC Rivals.
Hookers
Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor
Props
Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks
Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards
Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Matt Todd
Halfbacks
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber
First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga
Midfielders
Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Notable omissions: Owen Franks, Liam Squire, Ngani Laumape
Obviously Owen Franks is a huge call, he has more test caps than all the other props combined. Owen has always been seen as a specialist scrummager and defender around the rucks. He's never been able to develop his ball carrying which has been an anomaly in NZ as I believe NZ pioneered Props that can link, carry and distribute when needed Franks always bucked that trend and seemed to remain old school. I think it could be argued that his ability at scrum time is no longer so much better than the other options we have to lose out on the extra mobility and ball carrying skills guys like Angus and Ofa bring. I'd also say that in recent years when Laulala has been injury free he's been easily the equal of Franks at scrum time. The selection also confirms the remarkable rise of Ta'avao who gave up on his AB dream and went to Aussie to try and make the wallabies, failed in that bid and was lucky to get a spot back in NZ to try and save his career, maybe thanks to karl tu'inukuafe who moved from the Chiefs to the Blues.
Also spare a thought for karl tu'inukuafe who looked like he had become an All Black mainstay with an inspirational story behind his rise in Rugby but he's just struggled to capture that same this year form.
Good to see Moli back the options were light on the loosehead side, he has a ton of ability and looked good for the chiefs on his return from a horrific injury.
Locks were fairly predictable, last WC we went with 3 but with Retalick currently injured and too important to leave out 4 have been selected with Tuipulotu being the obvious benefactor.
That leaves room for just 5 lose forwards 3 of which are specialist open side flankers. I like it I honestly could not leave Todd out the guy would start for any other test side in the world. Tough as nails, stops everything that comes at him and carries hard. This guy could have left NZ long ago after constantly being stuck behind McCaw and Cane what a legend hard for a chiefs supporter to admit, He's absolute class.
Luke Jacobson is a massive call, I would have selected him but I didn't think the selectors would. His stats in super rugby made him the superior option but he had some concussion symptoms which limited his playtime during TRC. Just came back with a big game for Waikato and that was likely enough to see him pip Fifita.
Brad Weber confirmed.
Only 2 first fives and its likely both will be on the park at the same time. Looking for inside the squad for cover at 10 and you find Jordie Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty who apparently played 10 in lower grades. of them the only genuine test goal kicker is Jordie. In an idea world we would only be in a situation to use these options in easier pool games where Bauden and Richie may be rested. Josh Ioane will be on call, also wonder if he will still start against Tonga to give him some more experience in the event he is called in as injury cover later.
Midfield is predictable with Laumape missing out but he needs to stay ready he's the obvious call up and SBW/Crotty have had injury issues the last couple of seasons.
with only 2 first fives selected that means they avoid having to make a huge call at the back with all 5 outside back options picked. The obvious knock on for that is Jordie Barrett and Ben Smith may have to cover 10 in a pinch.
I like this squad, I've been saying for a while now that NZ's best chance at this WC is to be bold on selection and push the evolution of the side. Don't be afraid and get locked into established selections because its WC year.
With Bridge, Sevu, Weber, Jacobson, Ta'avao, Moli, Richie we have bold selections of world class talent that will still be a bit of a mystery for many of our traditional WC Rivals.
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