All Blacks' End of Year Tour Team.

[GoTheNaki]

I hadn't seen anyone put this out there yet. Edit: Bugger, I've put this in the wrong section... Mods?! International section please .

http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/all-blacks-squad-named-for-end-of-year-tour-2016102312

---- Forwards ----

Hookers:

Dane Coles (Wellington, 46)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury, 11)
Liam Coltman (Otago, uncapped)

Props:

Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 55)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 42)
Owen Franks (Canterbury, 87)
Joe Moody (Canterbury, 20)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland, 2)

Locks:

Brodie Retallick (Hawke’s Bay, 57)
Luke Romano (Canterbury, 26)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, 10)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 82)

Loose Forwards:

Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 37)
Elliot Dixon (Southland, 2)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 74)
Steven Luatua (Auckland, 14)
Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury, 94)
Ardie Savea (Wellington, 9)
Liam Squire (Tasman, 6)
Matt Todd (Canterbury, 5)

---- Backs ----

Halfbacks:

Tawera Kerrâ€"Barlow (Waikato, 24)
TJ Perenara (Wellington, 26)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 54)

First fiveâ€"eighths:

Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 46)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 43)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland, 5)

Midfielders:

Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 24)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland, 20)
Anton Leinert-Brown (Waikato, 5)
George Moala (Auckland, 3)

Outside backs:

Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay, 58)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland, uncapped)
Damian McKenzie (Waikato, 1)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, 8)
Julian Savea (Wellington, 49)
Ben Smith (Otago, 58)


Injury Cover: Scott Barrett.

Apprentice: Jordie Barrett.

Notable players not included due to injury: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Charlie Ngatai, Sonny Bill Williams, and Nathan Harris.

The most interesting part was the apprentice All Black: Jordie Barrett. Wow, what a big thing for someone who hasn't even played Super Rugby yet. It shows what Hansen believes, and it confirms my suggestion, and others, that he'll probably become an All Black.

But, this is a strong team, there is no denying it. I feel this tour is going to hinge on how our 10 plays. Beauden Barrett, what will we see from him? We honestly cannot afford to go venturing up there, and he starts missing the uprights... Like he did versus Australia. I guess it's hard to critique a team who have done what they have in the last couple of years, and then this year's team, having done what they have done so far. I'm worried that, if our 10 has a ****-poor game, we've always had someone like Nonu to cover it up. But right now, we have Lienert-Brown, who, well... The kid has just been great so far... The more likely is Fekitoa however, and Crotty. When Carter was playing bad during games vs good teams, Nonu was fantastic, the catalyst, and got us by until Dan got it together. IF this happens, we're relying on Ben Smith, depending on if he is playing fullback, which he should be, or a spark from somewhere else. I'm not confident if other teams shut down our starting 10, lets just put it that way. I didn't expect to see Luatua in the team, but can see how viable he is, he's been in that environment and he covers more positions than Akira Ioane.

As for a personal thing I'd like to see... Hell, I'd love to see Rieko Ioane have a whack at some team. As well as McKenzie. I'm still not sure what Rieko is going to specialise in... He's been doing very well at centre for Auckland. One of only 4(I think it was) players in the history of the provincial game, having scored a hat-trick 2 games in a row. And we've got such an abundance of wingers, with Milner-Skudder coming back next season too. You've gotta believe that he should have a crack at centre, with Fekitoa and Lienert-Brown currently there, as opposed to the previously mentioned Nehe, Naholo, and Hansen choosing Ben Smith/Israel Dagg at 14 too.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What's the concensus in NZ regarding this tour? Do you expect it to be easier again than the RC or do you expect a challenge from somewhere?

While I'd only have 3/4 Irish players fit into NZ's XV I think we're closer to you in some key areas than other sides have been this year, the backrow being one where we can pick a very mobile outfit with some strong carriers but the halfbacks being the most important, when you have these guys hitting top form Smith and Barrett are the best in the world and Murray and Sexton are second and were the reason we got so close last time. I think we could be better in midfield and in Jack McGrath we have the best LH in world rugby right now. Unsurprisingly, the back three and second row is where you look way stronger though. If I was to place bets I'd give you a reasonably comfortable win in the States and a less than 7 point winning margin in Dublin but I'm hopeful that with the year that's in it and all eyes being on you we could ambush you for the biggest win in our history, more doubts creep in when consideribg we're tge strongest side you'll play on your tour though, we'll get more focus from you than usual when you'd have to deal with England and good French sides.

 

[Brigantine]

The AB's will just see it as a giant training camp I reckon. Will probably use even Dublin as a chance to throw several developing players in at the deep end.

It would be quite a risky strategy, and would mean that Irish ambush is a realistic possibility. Red rag to a bull - definitely a game you want to watch.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Looking forward to the game in Dublin, especially after the last one in 2013.

 

[Makos]

I don't think Ireland have much of a chance against the All Blacks this year. Their game in Dublin comes after a game vs Italy, where most of the first team will have been rested. The 2013 game was on the back of a big season and I think this current All Black side is a better team.

Ireland also lack the mental fortitude and overall quality to get over the line against the All Blacks, especially this current side. Steve Hansen will be very wary of the 'Irish ambush' and there are players from the 2013 game that will warn the side to be on their game and up for the occasion, I think Ireland missed their chance to beat the All Blacks for a very long time.

No reason not to be positive though, a historic win in South Africa was nice. They should have won that test series as well, they were just lacking that quality of the bench and injuries in key areas.

Good luck to Ireland anyway, I'm expecting two good hard test matches.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think Ireland have much of a chance against the All Blacks this year. Their game in Dublin comes after a game vs Italy, where most of the first team will have been rested. The 2013 game was on the back of a big season and I think this current All Black side is a better team.

Ireland also lack the mental fortitude and overall quality to get over the line against the All Blacks, especially this current side. Steve Hansen will be very wary of the 'Irish ambush' and there are players from the 2013 game that will warn the side to be on their game and up for the occasion, I think Ireland missed their chance to beat the All Blacks for a very long time.

Good luck to Ireland anyway, I'm expecting two good hard test matches.

That middle paragraph is rather ignorant. Our current set up has the potential to become the best Irish side ever and as for the mental fortitude comment you only have to go back to the first test in SA to show they have the balls to do something no other Irish side has done before in a test match!

I don't know how much of a chance we have but we have the best chance of anyone in 2016 right now!

Sentiments in your last paragraph are mirrored!

 

[Makos]

That middle paragraph is rather ignorant. Our current set up has the potential to become the best Irish side ever and as for the mental fortitude comment you only have to go back to the first test in SA to show they have the balls to do something no other Irish side has done before in a test match!

I don't know how much of a chance we have but we have the best chance of anyone in 2016 right now!

Sentiments in your last paragraph are mirrored!

I expect you will take us close in at least one of the fixtures. On the mental fortitude part, the 2013 result, the RWC result vs Argentina and losing to South Africa narrowly in the last few tests come to mind. The fact you won with 14 men in the first test displayed incredible fortitude, but unfortunately from there you lost the test series from a winning position.

Nothing was meant in ignorance, rather just an outsider looking in. But as good teams do, they grow and learn from those experiences and the chance to play the All Blacks twice this year can only improve you. I have no doubts you will take us close, especially in Dublin!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I expect you will take us close in at least one of the fixtures. On the mental fortitude part, the 2013 result, the RWC result vs Argentina and losing to South Africa narrowly in the last few tests come to mind. The fact you won with 14 men in the first test displayed incredible fortitude, but unfortunately from there you lost the test series from a winning position.

Nothing was meant in ignorance, rather just an outsider looking in. But as good teams do, they grow and learn from those experiences and the chance to play the All Blacks twice this year can only improve you. I have no doubts you will take us close, especially in Dublin!

Fair, I have no doubt that we'll improve and that you are hot favourites. I think injuries account for SA and Argentina a lot more than mentality to be honest and in 2013 we shouldn't have really been in that game at all based on recent form! We'll be better than 2013 and last season, unfortunately you are too and you've obviously improved from a much higher level!

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

With how poor Barrett's kicking is, do you think the coaches may be considering starting him at 15, with a kicker at 10, moving Smith to the wing? The issue is it means dropping Naholo/Savea or Dagg, likely Dagg as Hansen likes a power wing at 11, and Dagg's been great. Just a thought.

 

[nik]

I think they will still persist with Barrett at 10. If he isn't kicking well and the game is tight then Cruden/Sapoaga will be subbed for a winger/midfield player, backline reshuffle will see Barrett at FB. He is too good a player to be not in the field in the last 20 mins. Only reason he got subbed last week was because he wasn't well with an ear infection.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Ireland in Dublin will be tough.
The All Blacks were already tired going into the 3rd Bledisloe Cup game and they had to dig deep to seal the win.
3 big games away from home on the other side of the world you just never know if the boys will hit the wall before they head home for the summer.
Ireland will be fresh at Soldiers Field and if they do well, which I have no doubt they can, it will lift them for the Dublin return fixture where they will have an important home advantage.
Not having Whitelock or Retallick available is another issue. They are key performers for the AB's week in and week out.

 

[bazwaz]

The most interesting part was the apprentice All Black: Jordie Barrett. Wow, what a big thing for someone who hasn't even played Super Rugby yet. It shows what Hansen believes, and it confirms my suggestion, and others, that he'll probably become an All Black.

.

This begs the question , are Junior All Blacks aka Baby Blacks in fact also technically speaking actually All Blacks?


..Can see Hansen reverting to the former backline configuration against Ireland with Cruden starting and Aaron Smith being reintroduced maybe off the bench. Barret was looking a bit burnt out in the last game after a long season so a fresh Cruden should get the nod up front.

Ireland will be most dangerous at home so not too much should be read into the result in Chicago...not sure why some of Connacht outside backs have not been included in the Irish team like Cian Kelleher for example...

..are Ireland sending there B team to Chicago to lull us into a false sense of security ahead of the return match perhaps ?..admittedly they should be able to match us in the forwards but they need someone like Bundi Aki to punch some holes in our backline otherwise i can't see any X factor players in the Irish backline..

...so much depth in the ABs so a very good headache for Hansen to have as whether Dagg, Naholo, Iaone or Savea are let loose as outside backs...and how will Damo McKenzie be employed ? - maybe a token 10 minutes at the end...

..maintaining that unbeaten record for as long as they can should ensure the ABs are motivated to do well on this tour.... not to mention the additional motivation of knowing if individually they don't perform there is someone chomping at the bit to replace them given the healthy competition for limited places in one of the worlds greatest teams..

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This begs the question , are Junior All Blacks aka Baby Blacks in fact also technically speaking actually All Blacks?


..Can see Hansen reverting to the former backline configuration against Ireland with Cruden starting and Aaron Smith being reintroduced maybe off the bench. Barret was looking a bit burnt out in the last game after a long season so a fresh Cruden should get the nod up front.

Ireland will be most dangerous at home so not too much should be read into the result in Chicago...not sure why some of Connacht outside backs have not been included in the Irish team like Cian Kelleher for example...

..are Ireland sending there B team to Chicago to lull us into a false sense of security ahead of the return match perhaps ?..admittedly they should be able to match us in the forwards but they need someone like Bundi Aki to punch some holes in our backline otherwise i can't see any X factor players in the Irish backline..

...so much depth in the ABs so a very good headache for Hansen to have as whether Dagg, Naholo, Iaone or Savea are let loose as outside backs...and how will Damo McKenzie be employed ? - maybe a token 10 minutes at the end...

..maintaining that unbeaten record for as long as they can should ensure the ABs are motivated to do well on this tour.... not to mention the additional motivation of knowing if individually they don't perform there is someone chomping at the bit to replace them given the healthy competition for limited places in one of the worlds greatest teams..

Cian Kelleher has played less than 10 professional matches, as good as he is he's better served playing the next few weeks in Galway than against the best team ever! As for Adeolokun, Schmidt doesn't trust his defence and not bringing Tiernan O'Haloran is Schmid's one mistake in my eyes.

I'd argue we have x-factor players in midfield in Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, if those lads are given a platform they could give your backline hell!

I think I heard somewhere that Retallick and Whitelock aren't available to play in Chicago, any truth in that because I think it'd make Saturday our best chance for a win?!

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

That middle paragraph is rather ignorant. Our current set up has the potential to become the best Irish side ever

That sounds a lot like Peter and the wolf. In 2007 many Irish made a similar claim. 2015, same thing. Even if that were true, which i believe it is not, some of your countrymen have made that claim so many times you've lost credibility.
IMO, 2007's squad was aeons ahead of this one. They had a bad WC, but that squad was the best you've had. I would have loved to see the 2007's team with Joe Schmidt thou, i'll give you that.

and as for the mental fortitude comment you only have to go back to the first test in SA to show they have the balls to do something no other Irish side has done before in a test match!

Cherry picking a bit, aren't we?

1) You played the worst South African side we've seen in a long, long time (ask any South African). They lost for the first time to the Pumas at home (2015) and away (2016), barely scratched a win against Pumas at home (2016) and suffered a record loss at home vs ABs. The stats are there. Using a game against South Africa as a proxy of how you've do against the ABs is, in 2016, not a smart idea.

2) Why pick the first game? Check how the second game went and come back to talk about fortitude. RSA was the worst offensive team in the RC (check the stats thread). They averaged less than 1,3 tries per game. That same team scored 4 tries against you in the last 25 minutes. These are facts.
You had the second game in the bag and you lost it, so when you talk about mental fortitude i sincerely have no clue what you are talking about. Just for the record, mental fortitude happens to be my teams' worst aspect too. I'm not trying to take a cheap shot at Ireland, i just don't see the mental fortitude you describe. On the contrary, i see a very temperamental team.

I don't know how much of a chance we have but we have the best chance of anyone in 2016 right now!

You are better than France and Italy, sure. Instead of having a 0,0001 chance you have a 0,001 chance.

I don't think the ABs forgot how they got away with murder in Dublin and they will do their best to make a statement of how that was an odd game. They are out for blood and they've got the tools to hurt any team right now, and they seem to be eager to use them.
You will feel semi comfortable the first 30, maybe 40 minutes. You might even be ahead for a while. Then the **** will hit the fan and reality will sink in.

I sincerely hope Ireland wins, as that would inevitably result in a good game, which is what i am looking for. I don't see it happening thou. I wish i was wrong.
Best of luck

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That sounds a lot like Peter and the wolf. In 2007 many Irish made a similar claim. 2015, same thing. Even if that were true, which i believe it is not, some of your countrymen have made that claim so many times you've lost credibility.
IMO, 2007's squad was aeons ahead of this one. They had a bad WC, but that squad was the best you've had. I would have loved to see the 2007's team with Joe Schmidt thou, i'll give you that.


Cherry picking a bit, aren't we?

1) You played the worst South African side we've seen in a long, long time (ask any South African). They lost for the first time to the Pumas at home (2015) and away (2016), barely scratched a win against Pumas at home (2016) and suffered a record loss at home vs ABs. The stats are there. Using a game against South Africa as a proxy of how you've do against the ABs is, in 2016, not a smart idea.

2) Why pick the first game? Check how the second game went and come back to talk about fortitude. RSA was the worst offensive team in the RC (check the stats thread). They averaged less than 1,3 tries per game. That same team scored 4 tries against you in the last 25 minutes. These are facts.
You had the second game in the bag and you lost it, so when you talk about mental fortitude i sincerely have no clue what you are talking about. Just for the record, mental fortitude happens to be my teams' worst aspect too. I'm not trying to take a cheap shot at Ireland, i just don't see the mental fortitude you describe. On the contrary, i see a very temperamental team.


You are better than France and Italy, sure. Instead of having a 0,0001 chance you have a 0,001 chance.

I don't think the ABs forgot how they got away with murder in Dublin and they will do their best to make a statement of how that was an odd game. They are out for blood and they've got the tools to hurt any team right now, and they seem to be eager to use them.
You will feel semi comfortable the first 30, maybe 40 minutes. You might even be ahead for a while. Then the **** will hit the fan and reality will sink in.

I sincerely hope Ireland wins, as that would inevitably result in a good game, which is what i am looking for. I don't see it happening thou. I wish i was wrong.
Best of luck

At the time '07 definitely was our best team but our second choice front row is stronger now, I'd take the current sides 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 too. I also said they have the potential to be the best we ever had, not far fetched by any means.

It was basically our b team that beat SA, fatigue battered us at the end of probably the longest season in professional rugby in those last two tests.

I don't think we're weak mentally, inconsistent from game to game, yes, but a side that's weak mentally to me is a side that collapses in the middle of a game, the '07 side was weak mentally as was every side before that but since Schmidt started there's one example of a collapse mid game and tgere were far more factors at play.

 

[profitius]

We've certainly got a strong squad these days and it's even looking stronger since the summer series in SA, with 6 uncapped players called up and a few more unlucky to miss out.


The reason Ireland's team always "underachieved" in the past was down to squad size. Every player no matter how good will go through a period of being off form for a while. They're usually dropped if there's a replacement but if there's no replacement worthy, the player is still selected despite being off form. Not to mention them playing with highly injuries etc. Eddie O'Sullivan could go through a season and make only a handful of changes.


It's not the whole picture but squad depth is definitely very important.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

At the time '07 definitely was our best team but our second choice front row is stronger now, I'd take the current sides 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 too. I also said they have the potential to be the best we ever had, not far fetched by any means.

This is my personal opinion, but statements like the above is why i still say Gordon D'Arcy is/was one of Ireland's most underrated players, ever. He does not get the credit he deserve.
Even with that, you've stated 5 out of 15, which implies 10 out of the 15 were better in 2007. I acknowledged coach is probably better now, but lets also acknowledge the leadership inside the pitch now is nowhere even remotely close to what it was in 2007.

Personally i'd rate Sexton over O'gara too, but last time i asked on this forum i was surprised to see it was quite divided. And Sexton, as good as he is, is past his best.

It was basically our b team that beat SA, fatigue battered us at the end of probably the longest season in professional rugby in those last two tests.

You used a game where Ireland used their B team as an example to prove that Ireland's A team is mentally strong. That makes no sense, at all.

I don't think we're weak mentally, inconsistent from game to game, yes, but a side that's weak mentally to me is a side that collapses in the middle of a game

That is, exactly what happened in the second game against RSA. You had the game in the bag and, the worst offensive SH team (1,3 tries per game on average) scored 4 tries against Ireland in the last 25 minutes.

I am not saying this because i have a grudge or anything against Ireland, quite the contrary. I want them to win.
I am saying this because that is what the evidence in front of me strongly suggests.

The reason Ireland's team always "underachieved" in the past was down to squad size. Every player no matter how good will go through a period of being off form for a while. They're usually dropped if there's a replacement but if there's no replacement worthy, the player is still selected despite being off form. Not to mention them playing with highly injuries etc. Eddie O'Sullivan could go through a season and make only a handful of changes.


It's not the whole picture but squad depth is definitely very important.

I agree that depth is very important, but saying a team that won back to back 6Ns has no depth is quite a stretch.

 

[bazwaz]

Cian Kelleher has played less than 10 professional matches, as good as he is he's better served playing the next few weeks in Galway than against the best team ever! As for Adeolokun, Schmidt doesn't trust his defence and not bringing Tiernan O'Haloran is Schmid's one mistake in my eyes.

I'd argue we have x-factor players in midfield in Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, if those lads are given a platform they could give your backline hell!

I think I heard somewhere that Retallick and Whitelock aren't available to play in Chicago, any truth in that because I think it'd make Saturday our best chance for a win?!

Interesting comments and I'll admit i'm no authority on Irish rugby - haven't really taken notice until Piutau and Aki got involved....but if you think Whitelock and Retallick's replacements won't be competitive then you obviously haven't seen Tuipolotu on the rampage...plenty of caps between the understudies although lineouts might be an issue... but I'm sure Hansen will have contingency plans for that..

Sounds like Henshaw and Ringrose will be getting the nod ahead of Payne in the centres ?...they will have their hands full with the lines our wingers run...needless to say defensively the Irish will need to be very solid and we will soon be able to gauge fitness levels....because that's where the ABs will hurt you with superior fitness - it will be a battle of attrition where the ABs will wear teams down..

...and then make teams pay in the last twenty minutes with an awesome bench , fresh legs.. that's when the score line often blows out.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This is my personal opinion, but statements like the above is why i still say Gordon D'Arcy is/was one of Ireland's most underrated players, ever. He does not get the credit he deserve.
Even with that, you've stated 5 out of 15, which implies 10 out of the 15 were better in 2007. I acknowledged coach is probably better now, but lets also acknowledge the leadership inside the pitch now is nowhere even remotely close to what it was in 2007.

I said the entire front row too, D'Arcy was fantastic as well but Henshaw is stronger, equally as intelligent, has a kicking game and is a weapon rather than solid defensively. Leadership is where 07 was better but th e depth we have now in comparison to '07 is ridiculous, we had 15 international class players in '07, we have international class players who don't make our squads now. Based on players alone I'd rank our best sides of the professional era as; 2011, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2007, 2016 with the current batch of players having the potential to make 2017. 2018 and 2019 eclipse them all.

Personally i'd rate Sexton over O'gara too, but last time i asked on this forum i was surprised to see it was quite divided. And Sexton, as good as he is, is past his best. [/QUOTE}
Past his best, possibly, his form this season prior to injury would suggest he has a lot left though. RO'G was arguably a better servant to Irish rugby than Sexton but comparing the two as players exton is better 10/10 times.

You used a game where Ireland used their B team as an example to prove that Ireland's A team is mentally strong. That makes no sense, at all.

Your prime example of a game to show we are mentally weak is one week after this game with an even more restricted 23...

That is, exactly what happened in the second game against RSA. You had the game in the bag and, the worst offensive SH team (1,3 tries per game on average) scored 4 tries against Ireland in the last 25 minutes.

I did note that in my original point to be fair.

I don't think we're weak mentally, inconsistent from game to game, yes, but a side that's weak mentally to me is a side that collapses in the middle of a game, the '07 side was weak mentally as was every side before that but since Schmidt started there's one example of a collapse mid game and there were far more factors at play.

 

[The Jones Boy]

The AB's will definitely be weaker at lock without the twin towers of Whitelock and Retallick
Those two have garnered a lot of caps between them.
Romano must be good or Hansen wouldn't have kept him in the mix for so long but I'm yet to be impressed by him.
Plenty of talk about Tuipolutu but one swallow doesn't make a summer.
These boys have very big shoes to fill.
But they will know it and if they want to keep adding caps to their name then they will be fizzing at the bung.
I wonder if we will see Fekitoa on the park. With 20+ caps he must surely be amping to get out there and lay down some serious tackles and breakdown work.