Official All Blacks Squad for Iveco Series

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All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have announced the following All Blacks squad for the 2008 Iveco Series and Philips Tri Nations:

John Afoa Auckland
Anthony Boric North Harbour
Dan Carter Canterbury
Stephen Donald Waikato
Andy Ellis Canterbury
Andrew Hore Taranaki
Richard Kahui Waikato
Jerome Kaino Auckland
Sione Lauaki Waikato
Brendon Leonard Waikato
Richie McCaw © Canterbury
Leon MacDonald Canterbury
Keven Mealamu Auckland
Mils Muliaina Waikato
Ma’a Nonu Wellington
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato
Conrad Smith Wellington
Greg Somerville Canterbury
Rodney So’oialo Wellington
Adam Thomson Otago
Brad Thorn Tasman
Neemia Tialata Wellington
Anthony Tuitavake North Harbour
Ali Williams Tasman
Tony Woodcock North Harbour
Rudi Wulf North Harbour

The 26-man squad includes six first-time selections: North Harbour’s Anthony Boric, Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf; Waikato’s Stephen Donald and Richard Kahui; and Otago’s Adam Thomson.

“The new players impressed in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and played their way into the squad,†said Henry. “A few of them were not in the frame at the beginning of the year, but they proved they were some of the form players in New Zealand rugby.â€

Two players in the squad are carrying injuries that will rule them out of selection for at least the first Test on Saturday. Prop Tony Woodcock has a toe injury and halfback Brendon Leonard a bruised knee. Consequently, the Hurricanes’ John Schwalger and the Highlanders’ Jimmy Cowan will assemble with the All Blacks squad in Wellington this afternoon.

Henry noted that the first Iveco Series Tests against Ireland would be a major challenge: “The Irish were strong when they came to New Zealand in 2006 and may be stronger this time. They’ve already been in camp for a couple of weeks, except for their Munster players who were winning the European championship. We need to be very aware of the challenge and focussed on the task at hand.â€

Meanwhile, Blues wing Joe Rokocoko was not considered for selection due to injury.

 

[bobilycious]

Its weird that Kieran Read missed out. Also Daniel Braid might not be awfully happy.

 

[candybum]

Well looks like Braid will be heading off shore? aw man that sucks.

Can't believe Wulf made it... his defense prolly won him over Masaga

Its not too bad... kind of very inexperienced though

 

[bobilycious]

Yea, I would have picked Masaga over Wulf. Masaga's defense can be worked on... but how do you give Wulf more flair? I annoyed my parents a fair bit last night trying to tell them that Scott Hamilton would definitely not make the squad B)

 

[candybum]

The Maori squads looks very strong however lol

 

[ChiefsFan]

Did anyone seriously think Braid would make it? Last year at the WC with a squad of 30 Holah wasn't picked and he was better than Braid. With only 26 members why would they pick another specialist?

 

[esoj]

I doubt any specialist 7 will be picked that often with mcCaw in the side.

overall good squad I think plenty of experience and a couple of new faces too.

 

[ChiefsFan]

Looks like team for first game will be...
Woodcock, Mealamu, Afoa
Boric, Williams
Kaino, McCaw, So'oalo
Ellis
Carter
Nonu, Smith
Sivivatu, Muliaina, Wulf/Tuitavakw

With Hore, Tialata, Thompson, Lauaki, Cowan, Donald and Muliaina to come off the bench.

I'd like to point out that Waikato has the most rep within the squad. Although the Crusaders have more in total.

Harbour have more rep than Auckland! Although that's partially because Rokocoko is out.

 

[esoj]

woodcock won't be playing the first game due to injury.

 

[nam97]

No Read? Oh man what a rip. Who the f*** is Adam Thompson? Really........ just why?

Henry does it again.

 

[esoj]

read highly unlucky not to make it.

 

[ChiefsFan]

Move Tialata into 1 and then stick Sommerville on the bench.

I don't think the team looks that bad... When you consider a Best 22...
1 - Woodcock
2 - Mealamu/Hore
3 - Sommerville
4 - Thorn
5 - Williams
6 - Kaino
7 - McCaw
8 - So'oalo
9 - Leonard
10 - Carter
11 - Sivivatu
12 - Nonu
13 - Kahui!/Smith
14 - Tuitavake
15 - Muliaina

16 - Hore/Mealamu
17 - Tialata/Afoa
18 - Boric
19 - Lauaki
20 - Ellis
21 - Donald
22 - Macdonald

 

[nam97]

Looks ok but Masaga should be there instead of Wulf and Read instead of Thomson.

Here's my 22:

1. Woodcock
2. Mealamu
3. Somerville
4. Thorn
5. Williams
6. Kaino (should be Read)
7. McCaw
8. So'oialo

9. Ellis
10. Carter
11. Sivivatu
12. Nonu
13. Smith (would be Kahui but Nonu/Smith is an established pair, keep it going)
14. Tuitavake
15. Muliaina


16. Hore
17. Tialata
18. Boric
19. Lauaki
20. Leonard
21. Donlad (seems weird including this guy)
22. MacDonald

- Basically identical to chiefsfan, just start with Ellis. Actually doesn't look too bad.

 

[ChiefsFan]

I suppose the main issue is the depth though. When you look at the old team (WC) you had to pick one/two of Robinson, Williams or Jack, Sommerville, Hayman or Woodcock, Oliver, Hore or Mealamu, Evans or Carter, McAlister or Mauger, Howlett, Sivivatu or Rokocoko (or Gear). So now it's basically a near full strength team, but with far less backup...

 

[nam97]

I suppose the main issue is the depth though. When you look at the old team (WC) you had to pick one/two of Robinson, Williams or Jack, Sommerville, Hayman or Woodcock, Oliver, Hore or Mealamu, Evans or Carter, McAlister or Mauger, Howlett, Sivivatu or Rokocoko (or Gear). So now it's basically a near full strength team, but with far less backup...
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True that, I reckon that may be a good thing. We have a definite top XV to choose from, so hopefully there's none of that rotation kak this time round.

 

[jawmalawm24]

All Blacks look alright so far but have to consider that some might be dropping off during the week because of fitness and some might still be brought in just incase.

I think Masaga definately should of been in the squad his finishing skills are phenominal and he's Super14 leading try scorer with 8 trys so wtf?? Also Kieren Read got ripped off he's been playing awesome all season long and really deserves a shot at the black jersey.

 

[ChiefsFan]

Although I do believe Masaga should've been in, I can see why they chose Wulf instead.

Read, however, was , I thought, a definate. Especially after last night's game. I am more annoyed that they didn't consider Messam. I mean, he posseses the same skills as Thompson and can also play 8, he wasn't even in the Training Squad

 

[peppers07]

Wheres Rokokoco is he injured?

 

[nam97]

Wheres Rokokoco is he injured?
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Yeah, somethings up with his hand. He had to have surgery on it so he'll miss the Iveco series but he could be back for the tri nations at the earliest.

 

[Dmx#1]

Move Tialata into 1 and then stick Sommerville on the bench.

I don't think the team looks that bad... When you consider a Best 22...
1 - Woodcock
2 - Mealamu/Hore
3 - Afoa/Tialata
4 - Thorn
5 - Williams
6 - Kaino
7 - McCaw
8 - So'oalo
9 - Leonard
10 - Carter
11 - Sivivatu
12 - Nonu
13 - Smith
14 - Tuitavake
15 - Muliaina
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Highlighted changes I'm disgusted that people actually considering Somerville as a starting prop. His scrummaging is easily worse than Tialata and he MIGHT be even with Afoa on a GOOD day. He's Cack x10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000. I'd put Afoa ahead of because him and Woodcock are used to eachother and seem to work well together. No Somerville.Nada.Nope.