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Tri Nations 2009-2011
All Blacks Tri-nations squad 2011
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<blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 416839" data-attributes="member: 43875"><p>I wouldn't change much from your squad, I also would take elliot over Flynn though it is very much 50/50 and flynn has the added advantage of being involved in finals footy. But he is also part of an All All Black forward pack in the crusaders where Elliot Shines in a Chiefs forward pack that only has a couple of All Blacks. Elliots great lineout throwing and impressive EOY tour give him the ende in my book.</p><p></p><p>Those Props are pretty much set in stone, Woodcock has such a long way to go.</p><p></p><p>Borric is a must have but as he's 4 weeks away with injury Hoeata will make an interesting Prospect. They may also go for Donnely and I honestly think Tom would do NZ proud if he was given a shot.</p><p></p><p>I can't Honestly see a spot for Thompson in the loose forwards. he doesn't offer the utility of Messam, even hardended Thompson fans will agree that he doesn't play well at 7 and he also hasn't played well at 8 when he's been put there. Where Messam is equally good in any loose forward position. He was brilliant at 8 for the chiefs early this season and his best game of the year was the one game he played 7. With Messam being the main #8 cover and kaino, Read, McCaw and Messam being able to cover 6 I see no logic in selecting Thompson for that last spot over a specialist 7 like Matt Tod or the Braid Borthers. As great as his start to the season was he lacks presence in the Physical encounters and he is prone to giving away penalties too. </p><p></p><p>So I'd drop Thompson for Matt Todd, I dont think Dan Braid has had enough rugby. he needs to play 3 games+ a week in the ITM cup and prove he's still got the goods before getting back in the AB's.</p><p></p><p>At 9 I just have a bad feeling about Elis. It's not the first time he's had an awesome super season behind that Crusaders forward pack and every time he's played for the AB's his delivery is so very slow and it ripples through the whole AB's backline. In 2008 we didn't know how bad Elis was until he got injured and Cowan & Weepu were given their chance - all of a sudden the All Blacks backline came to life as they had quick ball and the time & space to use it.</p><p></p><p>Though I do think Elis will get selected, I wouldn't select him. I'd take Leonard - he's been the chiefs best and most consistant back this year and his kicking game is 2nd to none. He's experienved and compedative. kicking from 9 is going to be critical this world cup - one of the reasons I dont believe mathewson has much of a chance - His kicking game is much weaker than all other comers Cowan, Weepu, Elis and Leonard.</p><p></p><p>10 - IF Slade was fully fit and match hardened I would take him over cruden anyday. But that's not the case.</p><p></p><p>Wingers:</p><p></p><p>Huge competition and a number of established Al Blacks that are not up to standard.</p><p></p><p>experienced but not in enough form?</p><p>Sivivatu has shown both his best and worst sides this year. Edades tackles like no one else but also slips of when he's making them. You can't deny that he has a particular x-factor that no one else in world rugby can match and for that reason he in my eye's has about a 90% chance of selection.</p><p>Rokocoko is running as hard as ever and in great form on defense but the tryline seems to elude him in a big way.</p><p>Gear was brilliant on the EoY tour but hasn't captured that form this year and has shown problems with his defense of kicks in behind him. Also hasn't been tested in big games for the All Blacks.</p><p>Jane would have been one of the first names down at the start of 2009 and 2010 but he lost his way a bit last year and has not stepped up this super season. his selection would have to be on faith but the tallent of others gunning for his spot may be too much to ignore.</p><p></p><p>Fringe Players in Great form:</p><p>Guildford - huge workrate, great at kick return, awesome defense, very fast. I honestly can't see a downside to picking Guildford...</p><p>maitland - Big, very Fast, Genuine try scorer. Brilliant all round skills and a bit of x-factor as well. his only downside is he's untested at international level.</p><p>Ben Smith - has had an awesome season where almost everything he touch turned to gold. Deadly runner with an almost non-existant error rate. Seems to be able to pull off pinpoint kicks at will. Didn't have a great finish to the season as the highlanders faided. Can cover every position from 11 - 15 though.</p><p>Toeava - was in killer form before injury. The blues were almost unbeatable with him and pretty average without him.</p><p></p><p>tough call, no one knows who the 5 will be. I would go:</p><p></p><p>Mills, Guildford, Maitland, Toeava, Sivivatu</p><p></p><p>But ask me again tomorrow I'll maybe have a different 5. I think the coaches will show more faith - Jane in particular and I think Rokocoko has a greater chance than many believe. But I think Guildford & Maitland are playing too well to leave out and this squad needs some young blood to be complete.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larksea, post: 416839, member: 43875"] I wouldn't change much from your squad, I also would take elliot over Flynn though it is very much 50/50 and flynn has the added advantage of being involved in finals footy. But he is also part of an All All Black forward pack in the crusaders where Elliot Shines in a Chiefs forward pack that only has a couple of All Blacks. Elliots great lineout throwing and impressive EOY tour give him the ende in my book. Those Props are pretty much set in stone, Woodcock has such a long way to go. Borric is a must have but as he's 4 weeks away with injury Hoeata will make an interesting Prospect. They may also go for Donnely and I honestly think Tom would do NZ proud if he was given a shot. I can't Honestly see a spot for Thompson in the loose forwards. he doesn't offer the utility of Messam, even hardended Thompson fans will agree that he doesn't play well at 7 and he also hasn't played well at 8 when he's been put there. Where Messam is equally good in any loose forward position. He was brilliant at 8 for the chiefs early this season and his best game of the year was the one game he played 7. With Messam being the main #8 cover and kaino, Read, McCaw and Messam being able to cover 6 I see no logic in selecting Thompson for that last spot over a specialist 7 like Matt Tod or the Braid Borthers. As great as his start to the season was he lacks presence in the Physical encounters and he is prone to giving away penalties too. So I'd drop Thompson for Matt Todd, I dont think Dan Braid has had enough rugby. he needs to play 3 games+ a week in the ITM cup and prove he's still got the goods before getting back in the AB's. At 9 I just have a bad feeling about Elis. It's not the first time he's had an awesome super season behind that Crusaders forward pack and every time he's played for the AB's his delivery is so very slow and it ripples through the whole AB's backline. In 2008 we didn't know how bad Elis was until he got injured and Cowan & Weepu were given their chance - all of a sudden the All Blacks backline came to life as they had quick ball and the time & space to use it. Though I do think Elis will get selected, I wouldn't select him. I'd take Leonard - he's been the chiefs best and most consistant back this year and his kicking game is 2nd to none. He's experienved and compedative. kicking from 9 is going to be critical this world cup - one of the reasons I dont believe mathewson has much of a chance - His kicking game is much weaker than all other comers Cowan, Weepu, Elis and Leonard. 10 - IF Slade was fully fit and match hardened I would take him over cruden anyday. But that's not the case. Wingers: Huge competition and a number of established Al Blacks that are not up to standard. experienced but not in enough form? Sivivatu has shown both his best and worst sides this year. Edades tackles like no one else but also slips of when he's making them. You can't deny that he has a particular x-factor that no one else in world rugby can match and for that reason he in my eye's has about a 90% chance of selection. Rokocoko is running as hard as ever and in great form on defense but the tryline seems to elude him in a big way. Gear was brilliant on the EoY tour but hasn't captured that form this year and has shown problems with his defense of kicks in behind him. Also hasn't been tested in big games for the All Blacks. Jane would have been one of the first names down at the start of 2009 and 2010 but he lost his way a bit last year and has not stepped up this super season. his selection would have to be on faith but the tallent of others gunning for his spot may be too much to ignore. Fringe Players in Great form: Guildford - huge workrate, great at kick return, awesome defense, very fast. I honestly can't see a downside to picking Guildford... maitland - Big, very Fast, Genuine try scorer. Brilliant all round skills and a bit of x-factor as well. his only downside is he's untested at international level. Ben Smith - has had an awesome season where almost everything he touch turned to gold. Deadly runner with an almost non-existant error rate. Seems to be able to pull off pinpoint kicks at will. Didn't have a great finish to the season as the highlanders faided. Can cover every position from 11 - 15 though. Toeava - was in killer form before injury. The blues were almost unbeatable with him and pretty average without him. tough call, no one knows who the 5 will be. I would go: Mills, Guildford, Maitland, Toeava, Sivivatu But ask me again tomorrow I'll maybe have a different 5. I think the coaches will show more faith - Jane in particular and I think Rokocoko has a greater chance than many believe. But I think Guildford & Maitland are playing too well to leave out and this squad needs some young blood to be complete. [/QUOTE]
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