For the Love of Balls: The Squad
By: Nathan Calis
Forwards:
Props
John Afoa – Afoa maintains his place in the All Blacks off the back of a great campaign with the Blues. He is unlikely to get much game time, acting as a backup to the other props.
Ben Franks – Despite playing second fiddle to the in-form Wyatt Crockett in the Crusader’s pack, the All Blacks clearly still see Ben Franks as the better prop.
Owen Franks – Coming off an excellent season with the Crusaders, there were no doubts the stoic prop would make the team.
Tony Woodcock – Has been one of several All Blacks who have had long injury lay-offs. Woodcock is back up to full health, but questions remain over his form and match fitness.
Hookers
Corey Flynn – Flynn has been in and out of the national team since 2003, only playing 14 games since his debut eight years ago. Despite being ravaged in the social media circles after a poor performance in the Super 15 final, the hooker makes the cut.
Andrew Hore – Hore retains his place in the All Blacks in spite of the troubles he has had both on and off the field at the Hurricanes.
Keven Mealamu – Veteran hooker Kev Mealamu had a sensational season leading the blues and reasserted himself as the best hooker in New Zealand rugby.
Locks
Samuel Whitelock – With Boric returning from injury after the Tri-Nations, someone had to go. Fortunately for Whitelock, it was Hoeata.
Ali Williams – The comeback is nearly complete for Williams after being out of the All Black scene since 2008 due to injuries. Williams’ performances just keep getting better, and he’s been to two World Cups already, so has a lot of experience.
Anthony Boric – Returning from a foot injury, Boric hasn’t had much game time. However, he has proved to be a brilliant lock over the past few seasons.
Brad Thorn – Recently compared to Chuck Norris. Enough said.
Loose Forwards
Kieran Read – As stand-in captain for the best part of the Crusader’s campaign, Read showed he has what it takes to captain the All Blacks once McCaw moves on. But will he recover from his injury in time to warrant selection?
Adam Thomson – Thomson was arguably the best scavenger of the loose forwards in the Super 15. Couple that with his brilliant running game and you have justification for his selection.
Jerome Kaino – The hardworking blindside flanker was a dead set certainty to make the squad.
Richie McCaw – Captain courageous.
Victor Vito – Vito took the last loose forward spot that Messam held during the recent Tri Nations. Evidently some good performances for a struggling Wellington earned him a promotion.
Backs:
Halfbacks
Jimmy Cowan – Jimmy will be battling with Piri Weepu and Andy Ellis for game time this year with Alby Mathewson missing out on selection.
Piri Weepu – He has lost his Willie Apiata beard, and the tire from around his waist, so retakes his spot.
Andy Ellis – The halfback selections were always going to be an interesting with Ellis taking Alby Mathewson’s spot off the back of some good form with the Crusaders. I still think he’s flakey.
First five-eighths
Daniel Carter – The best number 10 in the world.
Colin Slade – A strong ITM Cup from Aaron Cruden couldn’t see him change the selectors mind about Dan Carter’s backup. Clearly Slade is their man.
Midfielders
Sonny Bill Williams – The offloading superstar has All Blacks written all over him and was destructive in the midfield with Robbie Fruean for the Crusaders.
Conrad Smith – The reliable Hurricane is virtually an automatic selection if he is fit.
Ma’a Nonu – Had a terrible season with the Hurricanes, but Henry has dubbed him the best number 12 in the world.
Richard Kahui – Kahui’s strength and speed make him a genuine game breaker, however current concerns over his hamstring highlight his fragility
Outside backs
Isaia Toeava – The Blues’ superstar has finally matured into a real class player. Despite being injured for the latter half of the Super 15, the All Blacks’ selectors know he has the ability to change a game.
Mils Muliaina – He’s been there twice before, and as England showed in 2003, experience is priceless when it comes to World Cups.
Zac Guilford – Guilford provided the biggest talking point of the selection by taking Hosea Gear’s spot in the team. The Selectors prefer Guilford’s work rate. However, he was terrible in the loss to the Wallabies and will need to redeem himself.
Cory Jane – Jane forced himself back into the All Blacks after missing out on selection for the Tri Nations. His ability to play fullback gives him the edge over Gear.
Israel Dagg – Another player who will be coming into the Tri-Nations without much game time due to injury. However, he was brilliant against the Boks in South Africa.