AB squad named today- updated with squad

The 2013 AB squad for France gets named today and although not named in the initial squad Luke Braid for me is a must with his current form.

Expected debutants are Charles Piatau, Frances Sa'ili, Ben Afeaki, Steven Luatua and Frank Halai- odd four are from the disppointing of late Blues side- and I want to add another.
Saili apparently tips Taylor for his straighter running.
Thinking must be is these outside backs will thrive from a more structure base inside them- pack and a solid 6-7-8-9-10 combination.

So heres my call to Hansen to put Braid in as he's more to give and is ready now! If Cane is injured he may get in anyway but heres hoping.

Luke Braid is a fantastic player. He is the complete package, very similar to McCaw in many aspects of his game.

Sides been named...no Braid though was considered, Todd has been named as back up.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/8747585/Six-new-faces-for-All-Blacks

Luatua, Piatau, Frances Saili, Thrush, Kerr Barlow and Ben Afeaki the newbies. Fairly predictable and theyre obviously pinning hopes on Whitelock and Weepu coming right. The picking of Kerr Barlow does hint at Cruden at 10 to keep the pairs familiar but pure speculation there.

Luatau is back up lock should Whitelock not be available. Looks like Ranger will at least be selected as right wing.

ALL BLACKS SQUAD:


Forwards: Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Afeaki, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Matt Todd (injury replacement).

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Ma’a Nonu, Francis Saili, Conrad Smith, Rene Ranger, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Ben Smith

Not bad. Not bad at all. Hansen is doing a good job

A pretty decent looking squad. Some good new youngsters introduced.

So you think Dan could come off the bench?

I certainly hope TJ Perenara makes the end of year tour if not before. Todd has been called up as injury cover for Whitelock because Luatua can cover that position. Seems a bit strange and Luke Braid can consider himself unlucky. Certain players are going to have to step up in the pack and thankfully Kieran Read is there to offer his leadership and influence in a pretty green pack.

Amazing strength in depth. They could play 75% of these youngsters at the same time and still probably beat the current French team.

Agre with the depth in the backs particularly. We bat 3 deep in most positions except 12 where we've only one specialist. The new Auckland backs have also added attacking options and can't wait to see any of them with space in the black jersey. Braid and TJP for me are the two missing from this side.

Don't know how they get to some decisions but Thrush instead of Clarke for me is a weird one. When losing Ali and Sam W I'd have thought someone with experience and leadership would be a more logic choice even if temporarily. They kept Ali in there so long to keep an eye on the baby locks but now experience isnt a factor- pick another newbie. Perhaps they think Sam W is likely to play sooner, perhaps Thrush adds that much more than Clarke?

If Piri was knocked out he should be out of the series for most of it with the stand down period. Can't see why he's in the squad.

Yeah yet he was sitting up perky as yesterday talking as though nothing happened. Looked bad enough at the time I agree. We'll see what happens there...they can't just brush concussion under he carpet as we know.

Anyway since this squad was announced just over 24 hours ago five players are in doubt: Dan carter with a broken hand and four props,Afeaki calf muscle strain,,Crockett, Owen Franks and Tony Woodcock all with hamstring problems.

Ben Franks is the only fit prop in the squad that was announced yesterday.

Bad news. They'll be getting Ulster's Mr Afoa on a plane then, I would think?

If Todd is in for cover for Whitelock, put Braid in for Woodcock and pray for uncontested scrums.

Why do I get the feeling this could be the year NZ get tested for covering injuries. I don't mind in a way if it means we 're not owing in 2015.

We'll be right Ben Franks could smash the froggy front row on his own.

Is Hosea Gear on his way to Toulouse?

The Saint wrote:Is Hosea Gear on his way to Toulouse?

Yes. He signed last week

Did he sign because he was left out of the AB squad, or was he left out because he signed for the French club?

It looks like he found out he wasn't in the squad for France and jumped. He has a get-out-clause after the 1st season

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/8738093/Hosea-Gear-signs-with-French-club-Toulouse

Rumoured that Rene Ranger now has to get around a $300,000 penalty clause, if he doesnt go to Mountpellier in terms with a deal he signed with them at the end of last year.

Good looking squad, surprised that TJP isn't in there and I guess we'll never see Fruan in the Black jersey because of his heart?

Amazing to think how much talent there's still out there waiting to get their chance though.

Oh and it's interesting that now the AB's and Oz have bad injury situations effecting them, caused perhaps by the new longer season with extra games?

I dont think we can blame the longer season in June, in September yes. Injuries affect every team in a competition played at high intensity.

Is Ardie Savea more of a 6 or a 7?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Is Ardie Savea more of a 6 or a 7?

Open side

Why are you so good at making Opensides?

We have an over developed Hunter/Gatherer gene in our DNA...oh and some of us liked to stand out in the backs, look like rock stars and avoid doing the hard work.