Real First All Blacks Squad

On Wed, 09 May 2012 15:09:44 +1200, Greig Blanchett
<greig.blanchett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

What they'll pick:

Props: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, +1
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams, +2
Loosies: Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Victor Vito, Liam
Messam


And what they picked:
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Charlie
Faumuina, Ben Tameifuna
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu. Ben Tameifuna is also a hooking
option.
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano
Loosies: Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Victor Vito, Brad
Shields, Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane.


Half backs: Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, +1
1st Fives: Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden
2nd Fives: Ma'a Nonu, SBW
Centres: Conrad Smith, Robbie Fruean
Wings: Cory Jane, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, +1
Fullbacks: Israel Dagg, Andre Taylor

Half backs: Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow
1st Fives: Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett
2nd Fives: Ma'a Nonu, SBW
Centres: Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison
Wings: Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Julian Savea
Fullbacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith


May be given a lifeline:
Jimmy Cowan
Hosea Gear
Ben Smith
Corey Flynn

Only Ben Smith given a lifeline at the expense of Andre Taylor. Six of
one, half a dozen of the other. Smith is a solid fullback with good
attacking skills.


Who they need to be grooming:

Sean Maitland
Matt Todd
Hika Elliot
Brad Shields

Surprise selection.

Aaron Smith

Not such a surprise selection. Very like Will Genia in his play, far
less temperamental (or is that just mental) than TJ Perenara.

Tom Taylor
Beauden Barrett

Got the call up.

TJ Perenara

Did himself no favors in last game against the Highlanders,

Julian Savea
Sam Cane
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Brodie Retallick

Good to see all these guys made it although Cane is a bit of a bolter.

Biggest surprises: No Liam Messam, Matt Todd, Andre Taylor, Hosea
Gear, Corey Flynn or Zac Guildford.

This squad of 35 will lose 5 players when they make the final cut for
the tests. I'm picking a few of the noobs are just there for the
experience at the moment, so I'd imagine the following for the cut:

Sam Cane
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Beauden Barrett
Charlie Faumuina
Brad Shields

But if the form of Weepu, Nonu and Ali Williams doesn't pick up, they
could be for the chop too.

And there might still be some shuffling due to injuries to Richard
Kahui, Kieran Read, Keven Mealamu and Dan Carter.

All in all though, I approve of this selection. Tentative pass mark
for Hansen, Foster and Grant Fox.

--
greig
.