There we are folks, the All Blacks named, and Juniors. Two bolters for the All Blacks, one from waaay left field, the other deserved on form, but not picked as most thought the Cartel would be carrying on with election as per last year, not so much on form. Left field – John Schwlager from Wellington, a prop who can play both sides, and one that I thought would not go very far two short years ago – hence me not being a part of the Cartel!! On form – Waikato’s number one halfback Brendon Leonard, “the best attacking halfback in the country” as he was labeled by the Godfather, mr Henry. But without further ado, the All Blacks…
Dan Carter – Canterbury: Of course he was going to be selected, who else is there?
Jerry Collins - Wellington: The human wrecking ball, who sometimes is so hard that he smashes the living daylights out of himself too. Not in the greatest of form post R&R, but had to be there didn’t he!
Nick Evans - Otago: Didn’t think he’d make the top squad, but good on him – just hope he can get some game time without getting injured. Seems about as hard as a half set jelly at times…
Troy Flavell – Auckland: Has proved that his shoulder is back in working order after flopping in the All Black tests he played in last season – or at least not shining as he should. The loss of Eaton and Ryan will have helped his cause.
Carl Hayman – Otago: Only death would have stopped the big fella from being selected, best in the world.
Andrew Hore – Taranaki: By default, the Cartel don’t like Flynn that much, and Flynn has been throwing shite anyway. Not been in great form, but has the pedigree, and is one of the chosen ones (R&R boys).
Doug Howlett – Auckland: Best winger in New Zealand rugby at the moment, plays wing like a fullback, covers so much ground on both attack and defence. Needs to be used as a winger more though by teams – give the ball to the lad in space, and let him run!!
Chris Jack – Tasman: Showed that he is a big game player in the semi final, and will only get better as the season progresses – his last season in All Black colours, so watch him go.
Byron Kelleher – Waikato: Patchy form to say the least, but Kelleher at his best is damn near untouchable on the international scene. Just needs to play more untouchable games, and less dross!
Brendon Leonard – Waikato: The form selection, and I think one to watch. Kelleher, and probably Cowan will be sodding off after this All Black season, so that leaves Weepu, and then room for one more, and Weepu is not the most consistent player about – Leonard has put a good Super season together after a superb NPC for Waikato, so, thus far, has the consistency…
Luke McAlister - North Harbour: Yeah, in form, and injured again, but will push Mauger like hell for the 12 jersey. A nice dilemma for the Cartel!
Richie McCaw - Canterbury (Captain): Running on half rations at the moment, expect big things this test season when he starts to get a dominant tight five in front of him, and his partners in demolition, Collins and So’oialo.
Leon MacDonald – Canterbury: Certainly not a form selection, but class is permanent, form is temporary, so Panadol will come good.
Chris Masoe – Wellington: Like Panadol, not been in the greatest form, but still the best 4th loose forward to have on the bench, being able to cover 6,7,8 equally well.
Aaron Mauger – Canterbury: Started to show the form that we know he is capable of late in the Super season. Like Jack, last hurrah, so will be no holds barred from the talented midfielder.
Keven Mealamu – Auckland: The number one rake in the side, watch him go – especially when he starts to get proper game time, instead of starting on the bloody bench!!
Malili Muliaina – Waikato: One of the few R&R All Blacks to come back to play in top form. Best fullback in New Zealand by the length of the back straight of the round the world yacht race…
Anton Oliver – Otago: Ole Grenade Face’s last hurrah in black too.Expect he and Mealamu to be in the 22 for the matches that matter this season.
Keith Robinson – Waikato: When people look for the definition of hard in the Kiwiana dictionary, a picture of Keith Robinson is there.
Josevata Rokocoko – Auckland: Who needs form to be an All Black? Not Joe Rock. Not that the flying Fijian has ever had any sort of Super form in the two or three seasons he has been playing for the Blues. Stick him in that black jersey though, and look out, superman!
John Schwalger – Wellington: Been the quiet achiever for the Hurricanes this season, and rewarded for a couple od seasons worth of constant play. Can play both heads of the scrum, and with Dermody heading north next season, he gets the nod as fourth prop.
Sitiveni Sivivatu – Waikato: Still the lazy try scoring freak that he always has been. Can seem to be as interested in a game as a very disinterested person at times, until he explodes into action and scores tries that no one else in world rugby can!
Conrad Smith – Wellington: Not much game time or form for Mr Smith this Super season, but there is one else to select is there!!
Rodney So’oialo – Wellington: Seems to be getting better and better the longer he plays at number eight and as the seasons progress – which is not surprising as when he started his Super career he was a 6, with Collins packing down at 8.
Reuben Thorne – Canterbury: Not in great form for the Crusaders, but had to be selected as part of the R&R crew. Will have to play some premium rugby if he wants to keep in the squad and head to the RWC with the All Blacks.
Neemia Tialata – Wellington: The big man’s big season. With Hayman heading offshore after the RWC, Tialata gets the three jersey by default – can he keep it off Somerville when the Cantab returns from injury? Deserved selection again, expect big things from the big man, will get plenty of game time replacing either Woodcock or Hayman in tests.
Isaia Toeava – Auckland: The form centre in New Zealand at the moment, and my choice for the contentious 13 shirt in the games that matter this season – watch this boy go!
Piri Weepu – Wellington: Playing good rugby this season for the Hurricanes, and added a string to his bow, the ability to play ten – which he played plenty of when he was younger – at Super level. Would not like to see him start a test match there, but if needs must, would fill the spot well.
Ali Williams – Auckland: Watch Nucifora wonder why he didn’t play this man in every minute of every game as has a huge season for the All Blacks. Tony Woodcock - North Harbour: Business as usual for the big prop, expect another no nonsense season from him. The Juniors - John Afoa - Auckland
Stephen Brett - Canterbury
Daniel Braid (Co-captain) - Auckland
Jimmy Cowan - Southland
Wyatt Crockett - Canterbury
Clarke Dermody - Southland
Stephen Donald - Waikato
Andrew Ellis - Canterbury
Ross Filipo - Wellington
Corey Flynn* - Canterbury
Rico Gear - Tasman
Scott Hamilton - Canterbury
Marty Holah (Co-captain) - Waikato
Cory Jane - Wellington
Campbell Johnstone - Canterbury
Jerome Kaino - Auckland
Casey Laulala - Canterbury
Hoani MacDonald - Southland
Ma’a Nonu - Wellington
Greg Rawlinson - North Harbour
Kieran Read - Canterbury
Mose Tuiali’i - Canterbury
Anthony Tuitavake - North Harbour
Sam Tuitupou - Auckland
Derren Witcombe - Auckland
Rudi Wulf - North Harbour Questions: Where’s Jono Gibbes? Lauaki injured and not selected – no mention of why Gibbes not selected – would assume it is because of injury – the one that kept him out of the Chiefs win over the Crusaders in the final round. All in all, happy with the above, no real surprises, business as usual in Cartel land!
|
![1151med[1].jpg](http://www.thesilverfern.com/images/abs_157/1151med[1].jpg)
