All Blacks Squad Announced

[nickdnz]

May as well mention this

Meanwhile, All Blacks props Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks and Ben Afeaki will continue to be monitored with a decision on their availability also to be made later this week. As a result, the All Blacks coaches have called Crusaders prop Joe Moody into the All Blacks squad to help with training as prop cover.

http://www.allblacks.com/news/22421/Carter-has-cracked-bone-in-hand-Moody-in-as-prop-cover

Now unless Joe Moody has shown to have a particular flair for holding tackling bags, I don't see why he was called. Moody is probably the most precociously unexceptional prop I've ever seen, if we had to rely on him I'd be devistated. Thankfully I don't think it will come down to that..

 

[big ginger 8]

New Zealand team interesting, especially Coles.

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu Ben Afeaki, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Rene Ranger

 

[tenpm]

I'm surprised but pleased to see Coles start. Other than him, this team is more or less what everyone predicted, though I still think Ben Smith should be the starting fullback.