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.
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
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments