Touring Allblack Squad announced.....your thoughts?

[calibre]

Well, here it is....your thoughts?

Funny theres no sign of Marshall or Mehrtens huh, evidently wanting to build experience/depth in those positions which we are lacking at the mo.

Jono Gibbes Waikato
Carl Hayman Otago
Marty Holah Waikato
Doug Howlett Auckland
Chris Jack Canterbury
Jerome Kaino* Auckland
Byron Kelleher Waikato
Casey Laulala* Canterbury
Aaron Mauger Canterbury
Norm Maxwell Canterbury
Luke McAlister* North Harbour
Richard McCaw (Vice Captain) Canterbury
Keven Mealamu Auckland
Malili Muliaina Auckland
Ma’a Nonu Wellington I should think so
Anton Oliver Otago
Joe Rokocoko Auckland
Conrad Smith* Wellington
Greg Somerville Canterbury
Rodney So’oialo Wellington
Saimone Taumoepeau* Auckland
Mose Tuiali’i Auckland
Tana Umaga (Captain) Wellington
Piri Weepu* Wellington
Ali Williams Auckland
Tony Woodcock North Harbour
Steven Bates* Waikato
Daniel Carter Canterbury
Jerry Collins Wellington
Jimmy Cowan* Southland
Corey Flynn Canterbury
Rico Gear North Harbour

* indicates the first naming in an All Blacks squad.

Originally Posted by media

The squad includes eight players who have been named in an All Blacks squad for the first time and five players - Corey Flynn, Norm Maxwell, Ma’a Nonu, Anton Oliver and Rodney So’oialo – returning to All Black duty. With the exception of Maxwell (2002), the other players last appeared with the All Blacks in 2003.

There are 11 players from the 2004 Philips Series and Philips Tri Nations squads who have not been selected for the European Tour. Of those, Carlos Spencer, Sam Tuitupou and Keith Robinson were not considered for selection due to injury. Kees Meeuws and Simon Maling are about to take up overseas contracts, while Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall have not been selected to allow the team to build experience in the key positions of first five-eighths and half-back.

Nick Evans, Andrew Hore, Craig Newby and Xavier Rush missed selection.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said the selectors were enthusiastic about the potential in the touring squad, which represented both the team’s immediate focus, and longer term priorities.

[Spanky69r]

sounds ok
but anton oliver ? hes past his prime
and thank god xavier rush didnt get back in

[DA-seX]

No nick evans! that's stupid.

Good to see Rodney So’oialo again - awesome NPC season

good to see a southlander in there! who is he again?

[Ryan]

go maxwell hope he gets back in form!... i agree with anton hes a bit past his game now

[Ali]

Yer, bit dissapointed that andrew hore or Nick Evans didnt make the team after their very good season in the NPC.

But a pretty good team overall.

[nathan23h]

Meh Jimmy Cowan is shit, i dont think he should of made it.

Good to see Rodney,Ma, Jerome in there.

But Ali Williams he must of been lucky that guy has had so many live's. And i dunno about not taking Mertz leave's us abit weak for a big game player at 1st 5.

Oh well time will tell

[calibre]

Originally Posted by Remax

Not enough pistons in it for me; who gives a f#$k

quite a few people actually. nobody is forcing you to care :evil:

[s1de_ways]

Pretty good team IMHO. Im stoked Bates got in. He played awsome during the NPC. Bring on the Tour!!!!

[Kiwi Civic]

no merts or marshall
Anton oliver is way past his prime and shouldn't have made it.
I think glen jackson should be there though

[s1de_ways]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Civic

I think glen jackson should be there though

He was a huge part of the BOP success and he had a wicked season, but i dont think he should be in there as hes off over seas. If he wasnt leaving then I think he would have been in there.

*My 2 cents*

[DA-seX]

Originally Posted by s1de_ways

He was a huge part of the BOP success and he had a wicked season, but i dont think he should be in there as hes off over seas. If he wasnt leaving then I think he would have been in there.

*My 2 cents*

Give some of those guys a few years experience overseas and they might make it in yet. Some players need to mature. I hope Evans does the same - IMO he's got great potential and is a wicked kicker.

And remax, if you don't care, don't post.

[Ali]

Originally Posted by mortz

man im sick of every one talking about rugby. what about soccer, thats a great sport, much better than rugby. plus soccer is more famous world wide.
u can drop a soccer ball in front of anyone in pretty much any country and they will know what it is.
just my 2 cents ppl

Why dont you start your own soccer thread then?

Its good because some members enjoy ruggaz, so if you dont like it just dont read it, simple man

Cheers Ali

[Cyclone21]

Well i'm am really happy for Casey making the AB Squad, he has been the most destructive centre all NPC, and he picks himself. Also Aaron Mauger could not be left out after his attack and defense left Wellington and BOP with plenty of headaches.

Also good to see Luke McAlister making the team, he has so much talent for a young player and deserves a shot at this level.

Also it is good to see Stephen Bates blooded on this tour, I dont believe that Xavier is good enough for an All Black number 8, and Bates and Tuiali`i are more dominating figures on the park.

Merhts and Marshall should have been taken, even if they only played the French game, Henry needs his head read for not taking these players as their experience alone is worth its weight in gold. They are also our best number 9 and number10 in the NZ game at the moment.

[EG8T]

Ive known for quite a while that Marshall never wanted to go...

Im stoked Carlos Spencer in injured. He sux, and has a mullet. For that he should be dropped anyway.

So im guessing it will be Luke McAlister starting at first five?

Gutted tuitipo aint going, Collins better get some game time.

[Ryan]

yeah they need to give Tuitipo a shot, hes awesome in the limited time he used to get on field! everytime he had the ball something happened.

lol @ soccer go make a thread or something interesting

[FREEZN]

personaly i think this squad is average. its a big step up from N.P.C to super 12 and even larger to test match level. good luck to them i think they will need it against England and France.

So im guessing it will be Luke McAlister starting at first five?

shouldnt think so. you might find dan carter there and goal kicking

yeah they need to give Tuitipo a shot, hes awesome in the limited time he used to get on field!

injured witch is a huge shame best attacking and defensive 2nd five in the world.IMO (witch is funny because im a huge Canterbury fan and not to keen on those aukland boys!)

and of course merts should have been there

[Remax]

Originally Posted by calibre

quite a few people actually. nobody is forcing you to care :evil:

You started with "Well, here it is....your thoughts?"
so I gave my thoughts - its what you wanted. Since when can my opinion be withheld? Last I knew we were entitled to free opinion.

[calibre]

Well most other people clicked to the fact that I mean't your thoughts on the selections but...you can't please everyone I guess. And yes you can say what you like it is after all a free country thanks for your opinion.

[s1de_ways]

Originally Posted by EG8T

Im stoked Carlos Spencer in injured. He sux, and has a mullet. For that he should be dropped anyway.

When Carlos is on form hes the best 1st 5 in the world but when hes havin an off day he is absolute shit! He just needs to learn how to be more consistant and to do that is by playing games. Give him time, he'l eventually get there, i hope!

[BWDOWN]

Originally Posted by s1de_ways

When Carlos is on form hes the best 1st 5 in the world but when hes havin an off day he is absolute shit!

I think the last two world cups are testament to how good spencer is. Sure he has a good running game (when on form) but put him behind a pack going backwards and he cant handle pressure.

Merthens is 10 times better, he may be boring but at least we'll win...

Other than that I agree with FREEZN, looks VERY much like a 2nd string team really. More focused on the Lions next year

[Hardster]

i am pretty happy with the team

anton oliver - yeah he is past his prime....but look at the inexperienced props that have made the team...i think thats why henry has included oliver so he can take them under his wing, and he has played some bloody good rugby in the NPC

I am stoked that bates, casey and lukey made the team they have all played well this season and deserve it..

Hard luck to Wayne Ormand and fucking i think ali williams should go buy a lotto ticket this time. I think his place should really be filled by a played like honneck from waikato....as he has played like shit it is only his name getting him in there.

Lastly Wepu, i really wanted him to make it but did anyone hear his interview last night???What an ungreateful barstar...He pretty much said he is happy with the all blacks for now but he really wants to play for the kiwis (legue) whats with that?????

[r3zin]

Yeah i saw the interview with Weepu last night,and i got the feeling he just didnt want to be there,which kind of pissed me off.He's a great player,dont get me wrong,but man you need a better attitude than that!I can't see the point in selecting someone for the AB's who doesnt even want to be there in the future to further his rugby career.Waste of time,talent,money,and a spot in the squad.

I think the team is pretty average,but guess we'll just have to wait n see :wink:

[calibre]

true that, there is so many guys busting their balls to take those spots in there ie its a life long dream for them and someone like that strolls in there and doesn't care either way.

[nathan23h]

Yeh fuck that, they should kick him out i bet the selectors are pissed after seeing that interview & i bet the warriors will be getting there checkbooks out. He is a very good player but that attitude sucks so many people would give anything to get the chance to wear that jersey

Actleast Brad Thorn respected the All Black jersey enough to let someone else wear it when he wasnt sure of his future

[EVLTEK FBI AKL]

Some of your comments are pretty interesting - here are mine.

Marshall and Merhtans. - They won't be at the next world cup....we need people to play now that will be. This tour is a great way for them to have a rest and also to get these younger guys in the team and playing the big games.

Anton Oliver - He had a magnificant NPC season and is playing just as good as he ever has. His age doesn't mean anything. He won't be around at the next world cup either but I think has been brought in based purely on form.

Luke Mcallister - I played rugby with him at high school for 2 years in a row...He is very good and I expect he will see a decent amount of playing time. Its fairly obvious that Dan Carter will start at 1st - i would expect Tana to start at second and Conrad or Casey to be the centers.

Xavier Rush - I think he was unlucky to make it. He had a good NPC as far as playing goes. He carried the ball up very well and did his part. Big call to still select Mosse when he didn't start any games....

Conrad Smith - very luck - he had a shocker in the final which is a good indication to how he copes in the big pressure games.

Bates - lucky played well at NPC level but doubt he will make the step up to test match.

I this team is by no means second string. I can think of only a couple players better in their positions then those that were selected. The team is a great balance of youth and experience and should do very well assuming they can gel together nicely.

my 2 cents