1
An unselected All Blacks XV that showcases staggering strength-in-depth
The All Blacks’ mission to win a third successive World Cup, and a fourth overall, started yesterday as Steve Hansen named his squad for the opening two games of the Rugby Championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
As expected, the squad will strike fear into all of the All Blacks’ rivals, not only for who is in it, but due to the quality of those that have missed out. In fact, a strong international team could easily be comprised of those that have been overlooked, and that is not even including those that are injured like Ryan Crotty, Scott Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Liam Squire (who withdrew from selection).
So this is the All Blacks’ unselected XV:
15 David Havili
The five-cap All Black has been terrific for the Crusaders this year, keeping out another emerging talent in Will Jordan.
14 Waisake Naholo
One of the biggest names to miss out, as Hansen has turned to younger players such as Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece and George Bridge. He is moving to London Irish next season, and this could be the end of his All Blacks career for now.
13 Matt Proctor
Ever reliable for the Hurricanes and will be a great asset to Northampton Saints next season, but fell victim to New Zealand’s well-stocked midfield.
12 Ma’a Nonu
Although 37, the 104-cap All Black’s comeback season got better and better, outperforming his teammate Sonny Bill Williams, who was injured for large parts.
ADVERTISEMENT
11 Wes Goosen
The Hurricanes had some lethal finishers this season with Wes Goosen and Ben Lam, who are both unlucky to miss out. But at 23, the New Zealand under-20 international may get his chance in the future.
10 Otere Black
Blues fly-half Black’s chances of an All Blacks call-up increased after McKenzie’s injury, but ultimately lost out to Josh Ioane, whose form for the Highlanders at the end of the season was superb.
9 Bryn Hall
Perhaps not the most flashy scrum-half, but manages the game well for the Crusaders. Unfortunately behind Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara and Brad Weber, as is Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
ADVERTISEMENT
8 Akira Ioane
All Blacks fans have been desperate for the Blues number eight to earn his first cap, as he was ever impressive at the back of the scrum this year.
7 Gareth Evans
Had a season hampered by injury, which always meant the versatile loose forward was going to struggle to add to his one cap he earned last year.
6 Jordan Taufua
Taufua is another player that fans cannot believe is uncapped. He will play his 101st game for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final before moving to Leicester Tigers, which may have influenced the decision not to pick him. Still eligible for Samoa at the World Cup.
5 Luke Whitelock
Although he primarily plays in the back-row, Whitelock has to be in this team, as he is always a reliable presence in the Highlanders pack. Sadly he has never been able to completely win over Hansen, and only has a handful of caps.
4 Luke Romano
A member of the 2015 World Cup winning team, Romano has not put a foot wrong with the Crusaders all season, but has fallen down the pecking order.
3 Tyrel Lomax
The soon-to-be Hurricane will have to make do with playing for the Maori All Blacks for now, but is certainly international quality.
2 Nathan Harris
With 20 caps to his name, the 27-year-old Harris is a relatively experienced player to miss out behind Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman and Codie Taylor.
1 Reuben O’Neill
A prop that can play both sides of the scrum is worth their weight in gold, but the Chiefs’ O’Neill missed the entirety of the Super Rugby season, ruining his chances of earning a cap.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments