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Tri Nations 2009-2011
All Blacks Tri-nations squad 2011
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 416789" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>The first All Blacks squad of the year is due to be named on Sunday morning (NZT). Initially Henry stated that ideally the 30 players selected for the Tri-nations would be the 30 he took to the RWC, but recently it has been suggested that a slightly expanded squad will be selected to cover for injuries. I'm assuming they will pick 30 players, with injured players like Woodcock, Boric, and Dagg possibly being brought into the squad later in the tournament if/when they recover from their injuries. My predicted 30-man squad (the players that I think Henry and co. will pick, not necessarily the 30 I would pick):</p><p></p><p><em>Hookers</em>: <strong>Mealamu</strong>, <strong>Hore</strong>, <strong>Elliot</strong>.</p><p>I think it is 50/50 between Elliot and Flynn at this stage: Elliot had a good EOYT tour with the AB's this year and has been solid in the Super 15, but Flynn does have the experience, and he has been very impressive for the Crusaders over the later part of the season.</p><p><em>Props:</em> <strong>Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Afoa</strong></p><p>Easy selection with Woodcock injured. Hopefully Crockett gets plenty of chances to prove himself at test level as he's been outstanding for the Crusaders this season.</p><p><em>Locks</em>: <strong>Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Williams, Hoeata</strong></p><p>Thorn, Whitelock, and Williams pick themselves, but there is a free spot available which will likely be contested between Hoeata and Donnelly. Donnelly has experience with the AB's, but Hoeata has had a much better season, and the selectors have been looking for a lock/blinsdside flanker.</p><p><em>Loosies</em>:<strong> Kaino, Thomson, McCaw, Messem, Read</strong></p><p>I'm still not sure about the final makeup of the loose-forwards that the selectors will take. I hope they are considering including a genuine openside flanker at the expense of Thomson (in which case Todd or either Braid could be picked). I wouldn't rule out Victor Vito either, as he's a much better player now than he was when he was originally selected for the AB's.</p><p><em>Halfbacks:</em> <strong>Cowan, Weepu, Ellis</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Would love them to pick Mathewson, but I don't think he fits into their game plan.<em></em></p><p><em>First-fives:</em><strong> Carter, Cruden</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Would prefer to see Slade there (though I have been impressed by Cruden over the later half of the season), but the fact they have indicted that Slade will play ITM Cup rugby suggests Cruden will be picked.<em></em></p><p><em>Midfield: </em><strong>Bill-Williams, Nonu, Smith, Kahui</strong></p><p><strong></strong><em>Wings/fullbacks:</em> <strong>Sivivatu, Gear, Jane, Toeava, Muliaina</strong></p><p>Really want to see Ben Smith included, but I suspect Jane will be given a chance to prove himself. Smith could still make it if Toeava is still not fit though. I would like to see Zac Guildford included as well, but I suspect they will only take two genuine wings, with Sivivatu and Gear probably having the inside running for these spots.</p><p><em>Not included due to injury</em>: <strong>Woodcock, Boric, Dagg</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 416789, member: 24910"] The first All Blacks squad of the year is due to be named on Sunday morning (NZT). Initially Henry stated that ideally the 30 players selected for the Tri-nations would be the 30 he took to the RWC, but recently it has been suggested that a slightly expanded squad will be selected to cover for injuries. I'm assuming they will pick 30 players, with injured players like Woodcock, Boric, and Dagg possibly being brought into the squad later in the tournament if/when they recover from their injuries. My predicted 30-man squad (the players that I think Henry and co. will pick, not necessarily the 30 I would pick): [I]Hookers[/I]: [B]Mealamu[/B], [B]Hore[/B], [B]Elliot[/B]. I think it is 50/50 between Elliot and Flynn at this stage: Elliot had a good EOYT tour with the AB's this year and has been solid in the Super 15, but Flynn does have the experience, and he has been very impressive for the Crusaders over the later part of the season. [I]Props:[/I] [B]Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Afoa[/B] Easy selection with Woodcock injured. Hopefully Crockett gets plenty of chances to prove himself at test level as he's been outstanding for the Crusaders this season. [I]Locks[/I]: [B]Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Williams, Hoeata[/B] Thorn, Whitelock, and Williams pick themselves, but there is a free spot available which will likely be contested between Hoeata and Donnelly. Donnelly has experience with the AB's, but Hoeata has had a much better season, and the selectors have been looking for a lock/blinsdside flanker. [I]Loosies[/I]:[B] Kaino, Thomson, McCaw, Messem, Read[/B] I'm still not sure about the final makeup of the loose-forwards that the selectors will take. I hope they are considering including a genuine openside flanker at the expense of Thomson (in which case Todd or either Braid could be picked). I wouldn't rule out Victor Vito either, as he's a much better player now than he was when he was originally selected for the AB's. [I]Halfbacks:[/I] [B]Cowan, Weepu, Ellis [/B]Would love them to pick Mathewson, but I don't think he fits into their game plan.[I] First-fives:[/I][B] Carter, Cruden [/B]Would prefer to see Slade there (though I have been impressed by Cruden over the later half of the season), but the fact they have indicted that Slade will play ITM Cup rugby suggests Cruden will be picked.[I] Midfield: [/I][B]Bill-Williams, Nonu, Smith, Kahui [/B][I]Wings/fullbacks:[/I] [B]Sivivatu, Gear, Jane, Toeava, Muliaina[/B] Really want to see Ben Smith included, but I suspect Jane will be given a chance to prove himself. Smith could still make it if Toeava is still not fit though. I would like to see Zac Guildford included as well, but I suspect they will only take two genuine wings, with Sivivatu and Gear probably having the inside running for these spots. [I]Not included due to injury[/I]: [B]Woodcock, Boric, Dagg[/B] [/QUOTE]
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