AB Training Squad

Once again the critics come out of every wormhole dissecting another All Black squad.  Let's first remember this is a "training" squad.  There will be, at the end, some players left out who will perhaps never wear the black jersey.  And there could well be some performers who bring it all on in the closing rounds of the Super 15.

There's a good mix of old and new.  Guys like Weepu and Mealamu deserve to be there.  Guys like Hore and Woodcock can probably thank their inclusion to keeping some old heads on board to help the transition to the new breed of youngsters.

Starting up front 6 props included.  Big Charlie Faumuina out injured.  Man mountain Ben Afeaki, yes.  Jeff Toomaga-Allen has shown the continued improvement to suggest he could be a true force at international level. Owen Franks was one of the 1st cabs off the rank but big brother Ben can perhaps count himself a little fortunate.  Maybe trying too hard at the Canes has been his undoing but AB coaches have shown themselves to be very unforgiving with 2 kinds of props.  Lazy ones and ill-disciplined ones.  Ben Franks is probably the most penalised player in the Super 15 to date this season.  I'm a big Wyatt Crockett fan...I truly believe he receives the rough end of the stick from incompetent refs come scrum time.  He is capable of holding his own vs any other front rower in the world.  Woodcock was rated the world's best loosehead but his time is past as is his body.  Surely he can pass on some knowledge before this international season is out.  Unlucky,... Angus Ta'avao.

Massively underrated

Same story for Hore as for Woodcock but Hore can also thank the lack of rising talent at hooker.  Elliott hasn't come on as hoped while Coles has been impressive in the little time he's had in the black jersey.  An injury enforced layoff hasn't hurt Mealamu and he is looking in very good nick.

Second row Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are what I deem the world's premier lock forwards.  Ali Williams started well but has perhaps been guilty of trying too hard of late and has been more of a liability.  Still, one very smart cookie and and as he showed against the Boks' formidable duo, very capable at fronting up lineout time.  His knowledge, seniority and humour are vital to the mix.  He will get some game time vs the Frogs.  Dominic Bird has been receiving the big raps all season while sitting on the bench being a part time player.  Young, the only way is up.  Perhaps the next AB hardman?  Romano had his best season last year and the coaches will be expecting more from the man picked to replace Big Bad Brad.

Expect a real breakout season from Retallick

Good to see some new faces arising amongst the loose forwards.  We always cry who will replace Iceman? who will replace Kaino? who will replace McCaw?  Well...someone always turns up.  NZ reknown for producing loosies of the highest quality.  Look at Kieran Read...came out of nowhere and now the world's premier eightman.  Vito is there and Messam is there...they probably won't have their reknown battle to show consistency and claim the blindside spot because Steven Luatua is here.  One feels Shields doesn't have the dynamism to nail down a spot but he will be used vs the hard packs when the others aren't fronting up.  Only Cane at 7,...no Latimer, no Todd, no Braid.  All are playing well but Cane has really stepped it up over the last rounds and the AB selectors will want to give him the jersey to develop his own game before Richie is back.  At #8 Read should be refreshed after his injury break and plenty utility backrowers in the mix for cover.  No one else in the squad considered an out and out 8 but Peter Saili is playing well as is the evergreen Mose Tuali'i.

At the base of the scrum Aaron Smith hasn't had a stellar season to date by any means.  With Weepu, Perenara and Kerr-Barlow all firing surely if the selectors had decided to start with only 3 he'd be the ugly duckling.  His frustration has shown this season but it hasn't all been down to a stuttering Highlanders pack.

Kerr-Barlow....tell me a better 9 in today's game

Who else but Carter of course at pivot with Cruden, though Barrett as back up is worrying.  His defensive frailties are more than wellknown and his tendency to kick away turnover ball robs any NZ team of one of their most deadly weapons.  I think I prefer the Crusaders' Blyendahl.  Though Tom Taylor is having a great season and would be a great utility, from 10 to 15.

At 2nd5 I'd say Ryan Crotty is probably one of the unluckiest players in NZ.  Maybe the form inside centre of the comp yet no one in NZ(or the rugby world) ever doubted the AB selectors love affair with a petulant Nonu would end.  At least there's Francis Saili to keep him honest.  If Nonu doesn't keep it coming then will be refreshing to see an exciting new face at 12.  Something of the same with Conrad Smith...been a great servant and one feels he will be there til he tells the selectors he doesn't want to be but if Ranger can continue to show the maturity he's shown this season....his consistency to organize the outside defence, make his tackles, and break through opposition defensive lines then why not give him a crack?  I feel he will be used as a utility covering wing and centre, #12 at a pinch but that will be our loss.  Really seems to me the selectors have had a long term plan to one day replace C.Smith with B.Smith.  So, do it now.  He brings everything the present day Smith brings to the ABs plus a real counterattacking ability.  Unlucky?...Crotty.  Real unlucky....Richard Kahui.

 Give Rene a chance

Outside your 2 incumbent wingers (with Jane injured) Gear and Savea, late developer Halai putting on pressure & a swag of utilities to back them up.  While at the back Dagg is currently off his game and Piutau is setting the Super comp on fire.  Isn't it time we gave Jane a chance back there?  It's his preferred position, he's a bomb disposal expert, and a much more intelligent player and more of a team player than Dagg will ever be. Unlucky....Leila Masaga.