Steve Hansen has named the All Blacks squad that will defend the title won in 2011 at the Rugby World Cup in under a month’s time.
In a country boasting huge reserves of talent, there are some big names that miss out. Israel Dagg, a stalwart of the side at fullback in the past, misses out, as does Ulster-bound Charles Piutau – but there is space for Waisake Naholo, who has made a quite remarkable recovery from a broken leg suffered on his debut.
Limo Sopoaga misses out despite being the form fly-half in Super Rugby and impressing on debut in the Rugby Championship; Colin Slade is preferred for his versatility. Liam Messam is included in the back-row as Hansen names just three recognised locks.
“The selectors would like to congratulate all those players selected for the Rugby World Cup squad. It’s a huge honour to represent your country on the international stage. It’s the pinnacle for any New Zealand rugby player and we know the players and their families will be immensely proud of what they have achieved, as are we,” Hansen said.
“Conversely, we know that there are some players who are disappointed. We are a tight-knit family and it’s always difficult when players miss out. Those players did everything asked of them and the selections are more a reflection of the player depth that we have, and the mix of players required to effectively manage a 31-strong squad at what is a unique tournament with a unique set of replacement player rules.
“I’m sure it won’t be the last time a lot of the players who have missed out play for the All Blacks. As we have seen in previous Rugby World Cups, anything can happen with injuries, and we want those players to be ready to step in if needed.
“To the fans I would like to say: our attitude going into this Rugby World Cup is not a case of expecting it, but one of making it happen. The Cup isn’t ours. We are not defenders; like everyone else, we are contenders. We have to earn the right to win it through world-class performances.
“In doing so, we have to do something that no-one has ever done before. But that is a hugely exciting challenge and one I believe the team will rise to. With this in mind, we believe we have selected players with the right mix of experience, x-factor, determination and mental strength. This is an exciting and talented group of players who are looking to do something that hasn’t been done before, and make New Zealanders proud.”
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015
Forwards: Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Victor Vito, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam
Backs: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Sonny Bill-Williams, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo.
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For a second I honestly thought they had a player called Ken Barlow!
Waikato S15 1/2back.
… but he’s not married to a Dierdre.
all black will defend the cup surely.
Quite a pragmatic selection. Dagg misses out because the inform Skudder can play fullback. Don’t know how you unravel the Ab’s,as they easily win games with 30/40 percent position. If any one has a chance of beating them, they have to edge the breakdown and set piece from beginning to end and constantly keep them under pressure. If you take your foot off the the gas for a second, they have the ability to punish you immediately. Which team do you think has t
He make up to execute that strategy?
This squad is by far the best in the world and perhaps the best way to show how superior they are to our countries,is to make a team out of who they haven’t taken.
1 Joe Moody, 27, 8 caps
2 Hika Eliot, 29, 4 caps
3 Nepo Laulala,24, 2 caps
4 Jeremy Thrush,30, 11 caps
5 Patrick Tuipulotu,22, 7 caps
6 Matt Todd,27, 2 caps
7 Ardie Savea,21, uncapped
8 Akira Ioane,20, uncapped
9 Andy Ellis,31, 28 caps
10 Lima Sopoaga,24, 1 cap
11 Charles Piutau,23,16 caps
12 Ryan Crotty,26,13 caps
13 Seta Taminavalu,23, uncapped
14 Cory Jane,32,53 caps
15 Israel Dagg, 27, 48 caps
All of these players (perhaps bar Seta Taminavalu and Andy Ellis) would be picked in any other countries world cup team, that shows just how hood this squad is.
Hansen’s stacked the fr row, but trimmed the locks, picked exp b/row. V V also lock cover? A. Savea might have been the bolter? Not to be though. Todd unlucky?
Plenty 1/2 backs & 1st 5’s, again plenty exp, although I though Sopoaga would go in place of Slade.
Outside back line a balance of exp & the less exp with M.Scudder, Noholo (is he on 2 legs?). Cory Jane & esp Dagg unlucky IMO, Never known M. Scudd as f/back though!? And ? brains of Money Bill. Early game crash/offload fodder maybe?
Bit of a contrast to Lancaster’s ‘yoof’ policy, but perhaps a more balanced & exp side, all those 30 yr olds notwithstanding.
Look good on paper, but will they go all the way on grass? Must have a good chance, but teams also need a bit of luck too methinks.
So they have the squad depth to leave out Cory Jane and Isreal Dagg meanwhile we’ve got May and Goode in our squad, and no obviously better alternatives around. How do NZ consistently produce this level of talent!?
The NZ Union controls the game from grassroots, school kids to Int’al levels. Players are moved between teams, certainly in S15, to ensure more even competition. For whatever reason, possibly because rugby appealed to early NZ pioneering, outdoors & communal spirit, to the population at large above other sports.
Therefore there’s an efficient, focused national system in place to spot skilled players early on & a clarity of purpose in developing uniform tactics nationally.There’s an objective clarity of purpose & thinking which resulted in an innovative, skilled based game, attacking with the ball to max points (via tries) & to defend with massed, disciplined, coordinated ranks when they don’t have possession.
It’s mainly in the coaching & their rugby set up that NZ have the edge. They have less historical &, cultural baggage & analyse & fix things if things go wrong… IMO.
Completely agree – the infrastructure in NZ is a different class to anywhere else in the world. Which is why I fully support the RFU’s quest for complete control of the game from the grassroots up; they want the same thing. Hence my never-wavering support of the RFU stance on Armitage.
I think NZ players have such a better skill set that is just too much of a gap to close once they reach the senior teams.
One massive thing I noticed in NZ is the amount of kids/teens throwing a rugby ball around. Passing, running and playing games with a rugby ball in their hands. In England, down every street and in every park, kids are kicking a football around. It makes a huge difference in development; ball handling (even for their props) is second nature and has been since they were growing up.
Don’t know how much NZ’s structure differs from those of Oz or SA, but it’s certainly different from that in England. Don’t see how it can be changed now though. Not with human nature & self interest being what it is. Need the RFU to become defunct & the clubs’ body to replace it. Ain’t goning to happen any time soon & it would have brought about issues such as promo & relegation.
NZ (& SH) skills better due to coaching & tactics, e.g. fr/2nd rows handling like backs. Also the step up from S15 less of a gap & only 5 teams to pick from. England has 12 with differing styles of play. Plus, acc to Bemn Darwin, the S15 run for c.180 m /game (Int’als = c.160), so keep thinking going better under pressure. It’s a mind thing as opposed a fitness thing.
Do they have the strength to leave out Jane and Dagg for a couple of good prospects?
Who the hell knows? In a couple of months time we could be praising Milner Scudder and Naholo to the skies. Alternatively they may fail in the pressure cooker of a world Cup where space and time are at far more of a premium than they are used to and Kiwiland could be calling for Hansen’s head
Two biggest calls for me are Dagg – who has been there and done it all and at his best is unbeatable – and SBW who has never shown me anything to suggest he’s more than a flat track bully. Crotty would have been much the better choice
Great team, some superb players, but I reckon they’ll falter before the final
Seems B. Smith is likely f/back with Savea & Naholo or M. Skudder on the wings.
Thought Jane would go as he’s exp & like B & C. Smith, he hardly ever makes a mistake or takes a wrong option with the ball in hand. Gd in the air too.
However, Hansen obviously sees the alts as more powerful & elusive(?) & he isn’t coming here to be 2nd.
Also Dagg is unlucky as he is pretty strong & although slightly more of a risk taker, he’s also an exp & proven Int’al f/back. Leaves cover thin if BS gets injured. Suppose he can be called as a replacement if nec though.
Never esp rated SBW either as he’s too ltd, if @ times an effective ball carrier over the gain line & an off loader in the tackle. However I’ve ?ed his commitment with his boxing lark (distraction) & reactions when under the pump. Bit dim. Nice tatts & haircut though. Not so sure about Crotty as an alt though. Solid, reliable, but flair…?
NZ may falter, but what reason do you suppose will cause them to do so? More so as yr England may be more likely candidates, esp with Lancaster’s taking them down the ranking @ 32′ / sec/ sec, having no game @ scrum, line out OR breakdown v France & with a track record whereby he lost 6 in a row v the SH & which parallels that of Johnno? Mmmm.