All Black Squad is

[Dingo]

The All Black team to tour Hong Kong and Europe is

John Afoa Auckland
Anthony Boric North Harbour
Daniel Carter Canterbury
Jimmy Cowan Southland
Stephen Donald Waikato
Jason Eaton Taranaki
Andy Ellis Canterbury
Ross Filipo Wellington
Corey Flynn Canterbury
Ben Franks * Tasman
Hosea Gear * Wellington
Andrew Hore Taranaki
Cory Jane * Wellington
Richard Kahui Waikato
Jerome Kaino Auckland
Richie McCaw Canterbury (Captain)
Jamie Mackintosh * Southland
Keven Mealamu Auckland
Liam Messam * Waikato
Malili Muliaina Waikato
Ma'a Nonu Wellington
Kieran Read * Canterbury
Josevata Rokocoko Auckland
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato
Conrad Smith Wellington
Rodney So'oialo Wellington
Adam Thomson Otago
Brad Thorn Tasman
Neemia Tialata Wellington
Isaia Toeava Auckland
Anthony Tuitavake North Harbour
Piri Weepu Wellington
Scott Waldrom * Taranaki
Ali Williams Tasman
Tony Woodcock North Harbour

[Dingo]

Thankfully no Lauaki but felt Crocket was really unlucky particularly after his finals performance in putting the Wellington front row to the sword. His time will come though and expect to see him in black next season.  Thrush and Bateman are probably the two notable omissions.

Great to see Read get the recognition from the selectors and All Black fans country wide can now start to target him with the Mr Invisible tag. Franks and Mackintosh deserve a chance in the front row. And likewise Gear and Cory Jane deserve a spot in the tour regardless of a poor final.

The returners - Jason Eaton and Rokocoko have always been class acts when at the top of their games so pleased to see them in the mix but Corey Flynn ........eck................again pleased to see Ross Filipo on tour.

Is Messam or Waldrom the back up to McCaw?

Auckland 5
North Harbour 3
Canterbury 5
Southland 2
Waikato 5
Taranaki 3
Tasman 3
Wellinton 8
Otago 1


A great mix by province, Auckland over represented based on their ANZ showing but what about Hawkes Bay, didn't they make the Semi's? I guess Latimer was their only real chance and with Waldorm getting the nod the bus was full.

[jules]

Good analysis Dingo.

In general I agree with your comments, good to see the back of Lauaki (he is just too inconsistent) and Crockett really should be in the frame I feel, although I guess Ben Franks essentially took his spot with his versatility. Would be fun to see how a front row with Jamie Mackintosh and Wyatt Crockett would go though, both guys are huge!

Flynn is damn lucky to get another crack, he is a good player for sure but given his age and stage it would have made more sense to give a young fella this spot. It's not like Flynn is likely to get too many big game minutes on this tour, unless there is an injury I guess.

Can't say I am a Eaton or Jane fan particularly but given the other options it's hard to argue with their selections.

Scott Waldrom will be the primary backup for Mccaw I guess, it wil be interesting to see where they play Read, I guess at 6 but he has shown he has the skills to play 8 as well which is useful.

A shame that there isn't really any new options at 2nd five with this squad, assuming Carter is at 10 then Nonu is still the first choice, and then you get into untried options there like Kahui or Smith, although I guess Carter can always slide over and Stephen Donald can take the 10 spot.

Lots of options right across the squad though and certainly a squad that has the potential to deliver another grand slam, but it won't be easy!

Good luck ABs!

Jules

[gluck]

Eatons needs a fire lit under his ass. Glad he has been selected but jeez he needs to lift his performances if he wants
to fulfil his potential.

[M.R.B.M]

A great mix by province, Auckland over represented based on their ANZ showing but what about Hawkes Bay, didn't they make the Semi's? I guess Latimer was their only real chance and with Waldorm getting the nod the bus was full.

Latimer is BOP remember dingo? (not HB)

"Thrush and Bateman are probably the two notable omissions."

Not so sure about Thrush as Fillipo and Eaton have both been around the mix before... If your going to throw Thrush in the omissions, you'll also have others like Karl Lowe (HB #7) Dagg (HB #15) and P.Williams all adding to the list. I believe Williams' chances to make the squad took a huge blow after getting changed to right wing for most of the season. I still don't understand it as Hamilton is a specialist and well renowned 14 and Williams had just come out of an awesome season at 15 for the Highlanders... Can you clarify anything about this positional switch from the Lambs coaching staff Jules? (I suppose you cant argue with their decision, they did win the title after-all But it did really spoil his shot at making the ABs as Mils' back-up.)

Definitely Bateman though. Still believe we need to breed a specialist 12. (Maybe Haywood (youngster from naki) will be the suspect in a few years...)
Also in the "omission list" throw, ELLIOT!!! I have no clue how he was over looked! He is the best line-out thrower in the country. Only threw 2 crocked throws all season! Yes we all know thats 2 too many, however that is an incredible stat really.

The one person I feel for is Wulf. He had rare game time for ABs to cement a spot, and because he was on AB duty he didn't get regular game time for Harbour to maintain a spot and in doing so got over taken by Gear which is no real fault of his but the AB regime... I feel for him.