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The four biggest losers from the All Blacks World Cup squad announcement
By Christopher Reive, NZ Herald
With a plethora of talent available but only so many spots to fill, the All Blacks selectors were always going to have some tough cuts to make when finalising their Rugby World Cup squad. This year, Ngani Laumape, Owen Franks, Jackson Hemopo and Vaea Fifita found themselves as Steve Hansen and the All Black selectors’ unlucky exclusions.
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Ngani Laumape
It’s a familiar story for the hard running Hurricanes midfielder. Among the most dominant attacking players in the Super Rugby competition, Laumape found himself in the All Blacks’ initial squad only to miss out in the last round of cuts. The 26-year-old is unlucky to lose his spot to oft-injured stalwart Ryan Crotty, who hasn’t played a game of rugby since sustaining a thumb injury in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby semifinal win over the Hurricanes in late June.
What Hansen said: “It’s one of those positions where five doesn’t fit four and whoever we left out was going to be disappointed and probably deserved to be in the team. In the case of Ryan, he’s got a lot of experience with the All Blacks, he’s in the team leadership group, he’s a quality player who can play both second-five and centre, and those little things probably edged him ahead of Ngani.”
Owen Franks
The veteran prop was a surprise exclusion from the 31-man squad, missing out to younger, more multi-faceted players. Highlighting the need for big, mobile props, Hansen said the selectors felt other players were simply more suited to today’s game than Franks. Barring an injury or surprise call up, the decision brings an end to Franks’ 108-test All Blacks career, with the 31-year-old set to continue his career in England.
What Hansen said: “He is one of the great All Blacks. He’s certainly shown true character. His professionalism on and off the field has been magnificent over the years; he’s played over 100 tests. Unfortunately, we as the three selectors, we believe the game requires us to have big, mobile No 1s and No 3s and in this case we just think the other guys that we’ve named are more so than he and therefore we had to make a tough decision.”
Jackson Hemopo and Vaea Fifita
With Hemopo and Fifita able to play in the loose forwards and at lock, their utility value would have been a big tick in the pros column – if the selectors decided not to carry four locks. However, with Patrick Tuipulotu playing his way into the squad and Scott Barrett able to move into the loose forwards if required, another lock was surplus to requirements. Hemopo and Fifita were the unlucky players to miss out, with Luke Jacobson securing a place in the squad.
What Hansen said: “When we decided we were going to take four locks, it came down to Jackson and Vaea contesting that fourth lock position straight out with Patrick. We saw Patrick’s performance against Australia and were really happy with how he performed. It came down to Vaea and Jackson then competing with Luke … and we just felt that Luke brought a little bit more than the other two to that position.”
This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and was republished again with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
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