All Black Excluded XV

A XV of a kiwi team, that was not in the original selection. *denotes call up since original selection was made.

15. A.Taylor (Hurricanes)
14. R.Ranger (Blues)
13. R.Fruean (Crusaders)
12. R.Crotty (Crusaders)
11. H.Gear (Highlanders)*
10. T.Taylor (Crusaders)
09. TJ.Perenara (Hurricanes)

08. L.Messam (Chiefs)*
07. M.Todd (Crusaders)
06. L.Braid (Blues)
05. T.Donnelly (Crusaders)
04. A.Boric (Blues)
03. J.Toomaga-Allen (Chiefs)
02. M.Matu'u (Hurricanes)
01. C.Faumuina (Blues)

That team would probably give most northern hemisphere sides a run for its money, especially in the backs.

Scary thing is that team is very debatable

Part of me would like to see Ranger feature more for the all blacks. Can any NZ fans tell me why he hasn't?

Im not a NZ fan but what i've heard is that he's very hot and cold. Scores a wonder try but then in the next play he's out of position and the opposition scores. They much prefer to play someone like Jane, Howlett (solid) with a game breaker like Sivivatu or Savea

Makes sense. He looks like something special though.

Any reason why Hosea Gear is not selected? The guys a genius

Hosea Gear was injury before RWC and never came back quite as good as before injury. But had some ok form to the super rugby this year. Bad luck for him that Julian Savea appear. I would wonder about put in Frank Halai on the reservere bench for wing on that squad.

Rene Ranger not so much team player. Brilliant making the finish but lazy work rate and not so accuracy.

That's not a bad team robshaw. I'd put in Nonu at 12 though and Barret at 10 (he doesn't miss any goals it seems).

Gear has not caught the eye but is certainly in ok form. Ranger is very much a hot and cold player and has a rep for going missing in games or having brain piggy pardons and can be a liability. Savea's 3 tries will take the pressure off him and he seems to be enjoying his rugby which is good to see from such a young man. Colin Slade looked petrified in his AB appearances last year and looked miserable.

"Kiakahaaotearoa" Both Nonu and Barrett were selected in the original squad.

So was Faumuina as well wasn't he? But I see now you mean the training squad and not the squad announced for Ireland. My bad.

I'd probably slot Dane Coles in at 2, rather than Matu'u, considering the former starts ahead of the latter for the Hurricanes!

Oh, and to be slightly pedantic, Toomaga-Allen plays for the Hurricanes (I'm very protective of my Canes!)

To be pedantic Boric is injured,if the injured are included you could have Slade,Kahui,and Cory jane in the mix not to mention Maitland or Masanga.
KIA I have the greatest respect for the gang of 3 but the treatment of Colin Slade was poor.A Andrew Merthens clone he is a very good player,been VERY unlucky with injuries.Pitched into a RWC as a replacement for Dan Carter without any starts at Test level and few at Super being told.Don`t think about just be yourself knowing if he stuffs up HE will be blamed.THEN when he `s showing nerves bring on a sub,put him at FullBack and relieve him of goal kicking duties.WOW thart really helped his confidence didn`t it?Crudon steps in
with Weepu,Nonu,Conrad Smith,and Cory Jane outside him players .Whose game he knows backwards he plays with them and trains with them every week.No wonder HE was confident when Slade was injured,BUT remember HE
was a bag of nerves in his starting Test career too.Crudon is now established as
DC`s replacement Slade probably history and an Overseas career sad.

I'd have

John Afoa
Brad Thorn
Jerry Collins
Nick Evans
Jarrad Payne
Doug Howlett

and a hooker (can't think of one overseas) on the bench

Can't argue with that Alan. Unfortunately there are plenty of examples at test level where players are sidelined or changed around if they don't perform well or look comfortable.

What about adding Wyatt Crocket and Carl Hayman to the reserving bench?

It would make good entertainment for a nation union to make a "Encumbents versus Successor" game in my mind. Don't you think?

NZ could make all blacks v not select and take to Hong Kong or Tokyo and make the money and also the agents to selectors of combinator for foreign clubs can get after the game consolation selection by cheque book for not selecting players!