All Blacks Rugby Championship Squad?

[jessta]

Some great players are going to miss out. Some tough tough decisions ahead for Shag and co.

What is the 32 man squad going to look like?

I think the forwards are going to be pretty much identical to the Wales series. Maybe a change in the backrow if anything. If Taufua can keep up his world class form, maybe he can sneak in.

Some serious headaches at centre and in the outside backs. They could take more then four centres to accommodate players however then you sacrifice outside backs.

Props: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Wyatt Crockett, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Charlie Faumuina, 5. Ofa Tuangafasi

Hookers: 6. Dane Coles, 7. Nathan Harris, 8. Codie Taylor

Locks: 9. Brodie Retallick, 10. Sam Whitelock, 11. Patrick Tuipulotu, 12. Luke Ramano

Backrow: 13. Jerome Kaino, 14. Sam Cane, 15. Ardie Savea, 16. Kieran Read, 17. ??, 18. ??

(Contenders: Squire, Dixon, Taufua)

Halfbacks: 19. Aaron Smith, 20. TJP, 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow

First Fives: 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Beuden Barrett, 23. Lima Sopoaga

Centres: 24. SBW, 25. ??, 26. ??, 27. ??

(Contenders: Ryan Crotty, Charlie Ngatai, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Seta Tamanivalu)

Outside Backs: 28. Ben Smith, 29. Israel Dagg, 30. ??, 31. ??, 32.??

(Contenders: Julian Savea, Nehe Milner Skuddler, Waisake Naholo, Damian McKenzie)

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Wouldn't have thought McKenzie will get a look in for this 1. That's off NMS is back by then, if not then he probably will do, with Savea, Naholo, Dagg and Smith as the other back threes.

Centres, will SBW be back? If so then him, Moala, Fekitoa and Ngatai. If not then Crotty over SBW.

Back rowers will be the same. Cane, Kaino, Read, Dixon, Savea and Squire. Unless they opt for 5 back rowers and 6 props, in which case a prop is in for Squire (don't know which prop).

I wouldn't be surprised if they only took 4 outside backs and 5 centres, seeing as Barrett can cover FB. In which case, Crotty in for Savea/McKenzie, depending on NMS' fitness.

 

[Aotearoa_]

The one major selection will be the idea of dropping Julian unless his form seriously gets better for the Canes, I'm sure NMS will come back from injury strong and he's such a creative versatile player he's made it impossible not to select him. The other down side for Julian is, Naholo is comfortable at 11 and Bender at 14 with Dagg slotting in back at 15, the future is definitely looking bleak for Julian, which is sad, he's had some storming games for the AB's, just seems to lack that bit of fitness discipline that is so highly regarded in the AB's, the slackers get found out eventually.

RC will be a major priority for us this year, I can only really see fringe guys and younger guys getting a game vs Italy on the end of year tour and probably a couple getting a game vs Argentina in Hamilton, if Damien makes the squad this might be a fitting occasion for him. I have no doubts a lot of our starters will be rested in that Italian game prior to the tough test match in Dublin the following week and having played in America vs Ireland the week before.

Naholo is a must pick, I have every faith he will become a great All Black winger, early on he made some schoolboy errors, but we'll put that down to nerves, he came back strong and proved what a strong finisher he is and how powerful he is on the ball, he can't be passed up, 99.9% sure he will make the squad barring injury.

In the forwards I really think Squire had a strong debut, Dixon was solid but didn't get much of a look, I think Taufua deserves a shot if he continues his form with the Saders, being a genuine natural blindside as well it'd be nice to see him get a few caps in the AB's, think ahead to Kaino's retirement.

Sonny Bill Williams will be available for the All Blacks in the RC, so I'm expecting SBW, Fekitoa, Ngatai and Crotty, I think Moala has earned a look in, but more likely will get more game time in the end of year tour.

James Lowe could be in with a sniff if there are injuries, him and Taufua surely are very close to getting a call up and an outside chance of Weber and Edmonds getting call ups.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

The XV I'd like to see for the RCs is:
1. Moody 2. Coles 3. Franks
4. Retallick 5. Whitelock
6. Kaino 7. Cane 8. Read
9. Smith 10. Sopoaga
12. SBW 13. Moala
11. Naholo 14. Smith 15. Dagg

16. Harris 17. Tuangafasi 18. Faumaina
19. Tuipulotu 20. Savea
21. Perenara 22. Barrett 23. Fekitoa

 

[nickdnz]

I think chucking Dagg back in as starting fullback is mental...no idea why everyone is jumping to it.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I think chucking Dagg back in as starting fullback is mental...no idea why everyone is jumping to it.

Because in his last 2 starts he's performed far better than Savea has, so deserves to be in there over him. In the 3rd test he alone made more metres than the Welsh team. Which isn't a bad stat.

 

[Aotearoa_]

I think chucking Dagg back in as starting fullback is mental...no idea why everyone is jumping to it.

You also thought dropping Savea was mental...

Running metres last game;

Dagg; 126m
Wales; 123m

Maybe for the big games Dagg still has a question mark, but ****, he deserves to be in the squad.

 

[nickdnz]

Because in his last 2 starts he's performed far better than Savea has, so deserves to be in there over him. In the 3rd test he alone made more metres than the Welsh team. Which isn't a bad stat.

He also performed better than Faumuina but it's all kind of irrelevant as he's still not a better fullback than Ben Smith, and I'd still much rather have Ben Smith at fullback and the specialist wingers on the wing. Otherwise you could make the argument he hasn't performed as well as Barrett, and so Barrett should be the starting fullback with Ben Smith on the wing.

And am I the only one who recalls Dagg blowing a certain try - instead of an easy pass to Barrett? I just feel everyone is really jumping the gun.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

He also performed better than Faumuina but it's all kind of irrelevant as he's still not a better fullback than Ben Smith, and I'd still much rather have Ben Smith at fullback and the specialist wingers on the wing. Otherwise you could make the argument he hasn't performed as well as Barrett, and so Barrett should be the starting fullback with Ben Smith on the wing.

Those are 2 completely different situations. FB is Dagg's #1 position, so moving Smith to the wing, which is where he's gotten most of his AB caps, to make way for Dagg at 15, makes sense. Barrett is a fly half who can cover FB, granted cover it very well. So shifting Smith out of the way for Barrett to go FB, when that isn't even his main position, would be different and wouldn't make as much sense.

At the end of the day, Naholo-Smith wings, Dagg FB looks much stronger and better balanced back three than Savea-Naholo wings and Smith FB.

 

[Turbonation]

The original squad was pretty impressive considering how many good players we've lost. The June series brought the return of Dagg, a magnificent performance from Barrett and Ardie Savea proving he brings a lot to the All Blacks forward pack.

Hookers- Coles, Harris and Taylor. No brainer. Same with the props. Crockett, Faumuina, Franks, Moody and Tu'ungafasi. I believe Nepo Laulala will get a shot on EOYT. Locks- Retallick, Romano, Tuipulotu and Whitelock. Tuipulotu has got the back up role down packed. With the loosies we'll continue on with Kaino-Cane-Read starting. Dixon and Ardie Savea as the future. Squire retaining his place in the squad until Akira Ioane enters the scene. Dixon, Savea and Ioane will be perfect back ups if not starters for the 2019 RWC.

Onto the backs and this is where it gets interesting. I personally prefer Perenara to Kerr-Barlow as he can attack the line well and suits the 21 jersey. Brad Weber will be good when his time comes. For the RC it'll be Smith and TWC. First fives- McKenzie will lose his place for the RC as we have 3 capable first fives and three decent fullbacks already. Barrett, Cruden and Soooaga picked. To the outside backs, Dagg, Smith and Skudder are definite picks. That leaves two spots and my pick is Naholo and Savea. Down to the midfield which is a shame that Ngatai didn't get game time. I would pick Ngatai, Moala, Fekitoa and SBW.

Overall Moala, Milner-Skudder and SBW in and Crotty, Tamanivalu and McKenzie out. Personally I'd drop Fekitoa for Tamanivalu and Kerr-Barlow for Perenara however this is highly unlikely. Crockett on the way out too after Moody gets more caps.

 

[jessta]

Crotty had done everything asked of him though. Makes his tackles, distributes well and is very solid. I think he is fulfilling the role the selectors expect from him. This RC is honestly the hardest selection I remember in a long time... crazy decisions

 

[Larksea]

rather than listing a squad, I think the main areas of interest are the midfield, the 5th & 6th loose forward slots, 10 and basically Julian Savea vs McKenzie....

Midfield
Ngatai will likely be back but Moala made good use of the time he had on the park to climb up the pecking order
If Ngatai gets gametime in super rugby he will be re-selected for the AB's, his form and the skills he has are far to good to leave out.
SBW may also be back in the mix...

SBW, if not then Fekitoa
Ngatai
Moala
Crotty

Seta & Fekitoa drop out. Fekitoa is a big call but how can you drop Moala out after he took his chance, both chances(samoa last year as well) while fekitoa hasn't really been making par.

I expect our midfield from here onwards will take a different shape with SBW & Ngatai back in the mix and Moala's true value for the AB's being more obvious now than his blues form suggests. Of course its not set in stone that SBW will walk straight back in. Crotty has got a pass mark and his experience will be of value, but hes not busting doors down either. I think its fair to say the Crotty-Fekitoa combination at best only just scraped a pass mark and to be harsh didn't really meet expectations.

At the back, savea has to drop out. Unless he comes back into super rugby and winds back the clock 2-3 years on his form which is unlikely he needs to be left out. With the realization what he needs is a really good off-season to drop a bit of weight and get his speed & confidence back.

McKenzie wasn't used but is obviously part of longer term plans. It may be that his role in the squad was to learn gameplans & expectations, work on some skills and get ready for potential involvement in the championship. He should keep his spot unless his form dips in the later stages of super rugby. Which is unlikely, I think with the time in the AB's camp and rest from match days, heal up a ****le or two he will finish strongly. Also with Barrett being a likely starter at 10 now McKenzie becomes a very attractive bench option. Someone with the ability to change the game in the last 20 and cover 10/15 or wing.

in those loose forward slots Dixon & Squire will keep the inside running. I need to watch that last test again but it feels like squire made better of the chance he got. But Dixon will still be valued for his abilities and versatility. I dont know if/when Messam will com back into selection plans as far as I know he is not contracted to the chiefs or Waikato and may have an eye on Japan.

If Anything, Dixons spot could be taken by Akira Ioane. The more you think about it... its pretty much a dead cert that Ioane is going to be in the AB's mix post 7's. hes too good to ignore, easily the biggest arrival of loose forward talent since Read Burst onto the scene. And he can add so much from the bench while being very sound technically...

10, barrett has fairly and squarely taken the starting 10 position. That does put Crudens role in the side under the microscope. He's not considered a great bench option I think the coaches see Sapoaga as a better option in that Role and McKenzie as well. with Barrett starting his focus will be less about covering 15 and more on his role at 10. So the dynamic of the squad changes a bit. It would be a harsh call and Cruden will have every chance to play super rugby and you would back him to maintain his position in the squad.

The rest is fairly settled, other than injury related changes the only talking point is Romano's 4th lock spot. There are a few contenders there.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I don't think there will be as much chopping and changing as people are suggesting...

Savea isn't going anywhere, and as far as I know NMS isn't due back any time soon. Likewise I can't see Ioane(s) being brought into the squad for the RC, though I think Akira is a dead cert for the EOYT.

In all likelihood I see:
Tamnivalu dropping out
Two of Ngatai, Crotty and Moala being retained (depending on circumstances - all three are under injury clouds at the moment)
Fekitoa being selected and SBW being brought into the squad after his Sevens commitments are finished
McKenzie dropping out (though potentially being brought on the EOYT)

We'll probably see a back selection of:
Halfbacks - Smith, Kerr-Barlow, Perenara
First Fives - Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga
Midfield - Ngatai, Crotty, Fekitoa, Williams
Outside Backs - Smith, Savea, Dagg, Naholo

With room for potentially one other player somewhere in the mix.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I would really like to see Moala get a look in at centre.
I would also like to see Fekitoa have a decent run at second five.
I'd like to see Sopoaga come on late at 1st five or 2nd to give us a second ball handling and kicking option when the opposition tire

 

[Larksea]

I must admit I am itching to see Mckenzie get a run in test footy and I'm gutted he did not get a go in that third test. That 23 jersey should have been his.

watched the game again last night.

Actually thought Dixon had an ok debut, people scoring him ~5 but I think he did better. Pass mark at least, he seemed to fly into rucks and did some important clean outs.
Squire though did make a genuine impression. he could settle in the squad very quickly with more showings like that.
naholo looked very dangerous and fit into midfield pretty well but he did drop the ball like 3 times in a row during a period where the AB's were looking to seriously put wales away it really stunted the momentum.
Sam Cane despite the card had a very good game, in fact he has improved as this series has gone on. The card was unlucky, the 3rd penalty of his was the clear milk from the welsh 9 throwing the ball into him and the one he got carded for was kinda harsh as well. I also think he should have been clearly warned. Ref shouldn't just send a player for repeated infringements. He should be warned first.

one thing is clear is that Ben Smith, Dagg and Barrett really operated well in combination with each other on attack. And it boosted their collective confidence. IMO the trick is to fill out the rest of the backline to complement them.

For the midfield we firstly need guys who can tackle, and tackle to a high standard. We really dont have a clear and obvious 12-13 combo right now.

Options I like the look of:

12, Crotty 13, Moala
12, SBW 13, Moala
12, SBW, 13, Ngatai
12, Ngatai, 13, Moala

pretty obvious I like Moala's traits. Physical presence, can defend, can beat players on attack with size or footwork and has good speed. hes shown he can kick and pass. he showed in 40min more than we have seen from Fekitoa in a log time.
Crotty is experienced and reliable, tackles well and makes good decisions. His game needs to be focused on accuracy and good decisions.
SBW IMO is a very good defender, physical in defense. high work rate and impressive offload game which is brilliant if those around him are in the same playbook. Can cause issues if players dont expect his passes or have some experience taking them.
Ngatai is the complete package, his point of difference is that he is a genuine playmaker with his attacking game. And he has a very smart kicking game. intelligent on attack and defense.

The big loser IMO is Fekitoa, not enough form for too long to keep maintaining his spot in the squad. Completely outdone by the 40min Moala got on the field, Moala broke the line pretty much every time he had even just a bit of space to work with. Fekitoa plays with good energy but just has not been effective enough. he has size but hes not breaking the line enough. Its just not quite there for him right now. Maybe his uniform needs to be a little bit tighter? Who knows... Fact his he has been just average in the highlanders backline as well. Even Faddes is impressing more than him, and right now I'd rather have buckman. It just seems like a long time since we've seen Fekitoa at his best. The first year he made the highlanders and All Blacks he was unstoppable. but that was a couple years ago now...

Savea has to drop out unless he can find form for the canes. This was his big chance to show everyone he still had it, dropped his first touch of the ball and then his next touch he conceded a turnover as well. Nothing he tried worked. HE powered through a couple of tackles but most of what he did failed.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I just rewatched this test and I realised something that I didn't the first time. George Moala can't/won't pass. I previously praised him massively for his running ability and reliable defence, but watching it again, there are 2-3 try opportunities he denies by not passing. Whether that's greediness, lack of confidence or he's not very good at passing, it's concerning. Maybe he isn't the 13 the ABs need.

 

[The Jones Boy]

The first try opportunity that he blew, was a dead cert try if he just passed it wide, so yes, there was a chance that went begging.
Reminiscent of Ma'a Nonu before he came of age.
I would persevere with Moala. He is the kind of player the ball loves to find. Give him time, let him get used to the pace of International rugby, and he could well be a world beater.

 

[Aotearoa_]

I honestly believe Moala is a tad overrated in here, he had an alright showing against a pretty tired and bored Welsh team that just wanted to get on the plane and bugger off back to the Valleys. He blew several chances where he could've offloaded (probably wanted to show off his running game to Hansen), his defense isn't that strong and his vision isn't much better.

Can't wait for SBW to be back.

SBW
Ngatai
Fekitoa
Crotty

Should be the MF.

Continuity in the midfield is important and developing Fekitoa is important, he's really not as bad as everyone is suggesting. Unless George makes himself unpickable in the future, then I think we should just persist with what we normally have.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I don't rate Crotty at the top level. (I need to see more of him.)
Certainly not any more than Moala and Moala has loads of room to grow into the role.
People have short memories. It was only a few seasons ago that there was a core of fans who were not enamoured with Nonu because he was getting caught in isolation and hanging on too long. He was given plenty of time to develop his game playing next to the wisdom of Conrad Smith.
The transformation was NONUmental. ;-)
I like Fekitoa and agree he should be given a run and if he can shake off the injury issues he will be great as well.
I don't know enough about Charlie Ngatai but would like to see him get an opportunity.
SBW will be a shoe in, the guy is all class and a friggin behemoth

 

[Aotearoa_]

Ngatai is our real future, his running game at 12 is unrivaled, I would put him as the best centre in the world currently. Ngatai - SBW pairing is the one, Fekitoa and Crotty and competent decent back ups.