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.
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.
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.
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
I agree ..come on keyboard warriors and journalists looking for a cheap win ….. only 2 mins to go 12 points down …this DID NOT decide the game and beside JM was hit after the whistle and in response it was a pat on the back of the head …harmless ….watch soccer if this is your issue
4 Go to commentsRest is for namby pamby sissies, I see. True men should overcome their trifling injuries by playing week in, week out. Bidwell’s stance reminds me of a Jon Gadsby character from the 70s, a rugby captain giving an after-match speech: “It was a very physical contest. One of our players caught a boot on the back of his head in a ruck, and he died, actually. But to his credit, he played on.”
1 Go to commentsI still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
1 Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
2 Go to commentsThere is some talent coming thru thats for sure. The 10 looks special to me. Rico Simpson is a name to look for in the future.
1 Go to commentsI think this quiet honestly is just an innocent misunderstanding by someone who is pig sh*t stupid. Eben is a fine player but by christ, if he can’t understand or get what the Irish players were trying to say to him after the match…..well i hope he has someone looking after his finances, career and is reading the fine print for him, cause life after rugby may be quite difficult for the vacuous echo chamber.
27 Go to commentsIt could be Doris' day!
3 Go to commentsThe whole thing has blown up because Eben’s words have clearly struck a nerve in Ireland. Otherwise they would just laugh it off. I think some former Irish players, commentators and some Irish fans know deep down this Ireland team started to believe its own press and that a certain amount of arrogance had started to creep in during the World Cup. The topic was actually brought up by Irish pundits on Off the Ball recently. It’s fine to be arrogant if you can back it up. Ireland didn’t.
27 Go to comments‘The Irish are good people'. Why is Goode praising a people who hate his own? Wet wipe.
27 Go to commentsLa mejor final que se puede ver en el emisferio norte.
1 Go to commentsA lot of cope from south africans in the comments. Etzebeth is a liar and a hypocrite; you don’t have to defend him!
27 Go to commentsHe got big and really slow for a flyhalf…not sure he’s relevant in a bok conversation anymore
4 Go to commentsBest tourney team vs best team in the regular season for 3 games in RSA - talk is cheap, let’s see what’s what on the tour
27 Go to commentsOne overlooked statistic from their 2016 winning season is the Huricanes are still the only team in Super rugby history not to concede a try during the playoff rounds.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the article, Nick. The Nienaber blitz D does ask a lot of its scrumhalf. I have been watching JGP on D and he often looks like he has mastered what Nienaber asks for better than Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach! 🤣 Impressive season by JGP if I must make an understatement.
22 Go to commentsOkay last one. I promise. I think it’s despicable for Andy Goode to suggest that Eben can’t count to 12. To be fair he only had to count to 8 - the number of Irishmen who DIDN’T say that. Less the 3 kiwis of course. 23 - 12 - 3 = 8. See Joe. I can do maffs.
27 Go to commentsCheers, Nick! How do you see the Reds’ Jock Campbell’s play this year? Not as strong a carrier as Andrew Kellaway or Tom Wright, but does avoid errors. Do you see Joe Schmidt as wanting safety first at 15 or a try-assisting counterattacker?
91 Go to commentsI’m sure this was all just a big misunderstanding. Irishmen and Afrikaaners conversing in a noisey stadium. Not easy to get the right messages across. A minefield.
27 Go to commentsSay what you will about Andy Goode. But he is right about one thing… I’m not sure what that one thing is exactly… but I’m willing to hear him out.
27 Go to commentsAnother article to bait and trigger Irish fans. This must stop.
27 Go to comments