|
|
Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
The All Blacks Training Squad - What Do You Think? 4 views
14 May 2012 by The Swede Eaters
|
| |
Connected with:
Wiki Player
Piri Weepu,
Luke Romano,
Luke Whitelock
|
Scotty Donaldson looks at the All Blacks Training Squad of 35. What do you think of this squad?
All Blacks coach Steven Hansen has stamped his mark on his first squad in charge when naming his 35 man squad to play Ireland.
There are several bolters and it is hard to know how Crusaders Luke Whitelock and Luke Romano pictured above made the All Blacks squad despite infrequent appearances for the Crusaders. Hurricanes Number Eight Brad Shields and Chiefs loose forward Sam Cane is in a similar boat. All four of these players have found themselves on the bench for their Super Rugby teams.
Other new names are far more obviously deserving like Julian Savea, Tawera-Kerr Barlow, Aaron Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Tameifuna, Tamati Ellison (newish), Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett.
The lucky players include the Blues players Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu, Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu. These guys do bring experience to the squad.
The unlucky players are Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, Andre Taylor, TJ Perenara, Matt Todd, Jarrad Hoeata, Liam Messam and Hosea Gear, along with hookers Corey Flynn, Dane Coles and Hika Elliot.
No one seemed to realise that this was going to be such a large squad. This 35 man wider training squad means that most of these players won't actually take the field for the All Blacks. It is also strange how there are only two hookers and openside flankers named yet six props and four halfbacks made the cut. We need another hooker given that Hore and Mealamu are close to their used by date.
I am assuming most of these players won't be elligible for the North vs South match.
Piri Weepu's selection probably depends on if Dan Carter is playing and can goalkick.
What do you think of this All Blacks squad of 35?
ALL BLACKS TRAINING SQUAD
Backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith
Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Luke Whitelock, Brad Shields, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Tameifuna, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/all-blacks-training-squad-2012-hansen.html
|
|
|
➜ Previous Story
Next Story ➜
|
|
Tags:
|
|
|
|
|
|