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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Should The All Blacks Trial Return? 2 views
02 September 2014 by The Swede Eaters
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Check out these All Blacks trial teams for a hypothetical trial in 2015 before the Rugby World Cup 2015.
The All Blacks team that will take the field against Argentina in the Rugby Championship match will be almost at full strength, but if all players were fully fit, then what would be in your All Blacks team to play in the Rugby World Cup 2015 final, if the All Blacks were in it? Do you think we should return to an All Blacks trial between the Probables and Possibles? I think this game would be brilliant.
The reason I mention this is because we have seen the emergence of younger players like Ryan Crotty, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa in recent seasons, yet there will be several former greats returning to New Zealand rugby in 2015 to have a shot at making the All Blacks.
Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Hosea Gear will return to play rugby in New Zealand, but would you pick all, none or some of these guys in your All Blacks squad or team for the Rugby World Cup 2015?
In the good old days they used to have an All Blacks trial to decide such matters where the Probables would play against the Possibles. This was from the days before tactical substitutions. Both of these teams would be world class in my opinion.
Probables backline would be Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter and Aaron Smith.
The next best fifteen players should be in the Possibles XV with TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, SBW, Richard Kahui, Hosea Gear, Charles Piutau and Israel Dagg likely to be in this backline.
Unfortunately this would leave Malakai Fekitoa, Beauden Barrett, Ryan Crotty, Colin Slade, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and a bolter like Frank Halai or Patrick Osborne to fight over bench spots.
In the forwards, the first choice All Blacks pack would probably be Woodcock, Coles, Owen Franks, Whitelock, Retallick, Kaino, McCaw and Read.
The Possibles forward pack would include Crockett, Mealamu, Faumuina, Romano, Tuipulotu, Messam, Cane and Vito.
It is an embarrassment of riches, although there will definitely be injuries at some stage.
The All Blacks have three great fullbacks, six great midfield backs and four quality first five eighths at their disposal heading into the Rugby World Cup 2015. Unfortunately there is no way of fitting them all into the All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad of 31.
I think there is a scarcity of world class wingers in the All Blacks outside of Julian Savea. Gear would offer a backup, but would only be required if blockbusting winger Savea gets injured. Jane is good, but missing that top end speed these days. It wouldn’t surprise me if Piutau, Ben Smith or even Kahui got some game time on the wing.
Behind Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu there is a lack of quality hookers which is probably the only problem area. There is depth in most other positions which has developed in recent seasons.
Who would be your first choice All Blacks team at Rugby World Cup 2015?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/09/should-we-return-to-all-blacks-trials.html
Probables XV
15. Ben Smith
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Julian Savea
10. Dan Carter
9. Aaron Smith
8. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Retallick
3. Owen Franks
2. Dane Coles
1. Tony Woodcock
Reserves
16. Nathan Harris
17. Ben Franks
18. Joe Moody
19. Jeremy Thrush
20. Matt Todd
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Malakai Fekitoa
Possibles XV
15. Israel Dagg
14. Charles Piutau
13. Richard Kahui
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Hosea Gear
10. Aaron Cruden
9. TJ Perenara
8. Victor Vito
7. Sam Cane
6. Liam Messam
5. Patrick Tuipulotu
4. Luke Romano
3. Charles Faumuina
2. Keven Mealamu
1. Wyatt Crockett
Reserves
16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Kane Hames
18. Ben Tameifuna
19. Steven Luatua
20. Ardie Savea
21. Bryn Hall
22. Colin Slade
23. Ryan Crotty
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Tags:
All Blacks, The Rugby Championship,
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