All Blacks Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Morf

Read is a phenomenal player.

I remember possibly 18 months or more back watching the behind the black video of him on his first NH tour. He was so genuinely delighted just to be there. Seems just as down to earth now as he was then.

Just as McCaw seems to be on the wane NZ have another back-row leader who is head and shoulders over everyone else in his position. Hansen must feel pretty satisfied about how that has gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shNwVflrvWY

Sorry, it was Inside The Black Jersey series.

Swiwi.

Team to face France

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ben Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Charles Piatau, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Ryan Crotty.

I'm too fatigued to do a match preview & thread...but if anyone is interested here are the main talking points of the selection:

• If Julian Savea had been fit, Piutau would have started ahead of Jane. Piutau's star is definitely on the rise.
• Big games for B. Smith (v Fofana) and for Crotty on the bench. The public is not convinced about Crotty's merits yet, but a nice little effort against the French would help silence some detractors.
• Carter & McCaw are back!
• Owen Franks keeps his TH starting spot. Easily enough apparently. Despite the media feeling Faumuina might have overtaken him.
• The rotating door award goes to Mealamu this week, who gets the starting hooker spot.
• Luatua covering 6 & lock. Which I agree with. Thrush, nice guy and all, is a journeyman filling in for the soon-to-be uninjured Luke Romano, and Dominic Bird is totally unproven.
• Tawera Kerr-Barlow is a lucky lucky man.
• No Beauden Barrett Well that's the end of spectacular tries during a 10-minute end-of-match cameo

duckysauce

All blacks will be all White on Saturday . Will be odd .

The All Blacks will wear their alternate white strip with a poppy on a sleeve to commemorate Armistice Day, held on Monday, November 11, which marks the anniversary of the end of World War I.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11153166

Swiwi.

duckysauce wrote: »

All blacks will be all White on Saturday . Will be odd .

The All Blacks will wear their alternate white strip with a poppy on a sleeve to commemorate Armistice Day, held on Monday, November 11, which marks the anniversary of the end of World War I.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11153166

As long as the jersey is not grey. Doubt we'll see that again. I actually have the white away jersey rather than the bulk standard black one. Should be a good game I hope, looking forward to seeing Cory Jane back in action, hopefully he can resume where he left off in 2012.

Morf

Swiwi. wrote: »

As long as the jersey is not grey. Doubt we'll see that again. I actually have the white away jersey rather than the bulk standard black one. Should be a good game I hope, looking forward to seeing Cory Jane back in action, hopefully he can resume where he left off in 2012.

A certain Tullow Tank has bragging rights . . .

Swiwi.

Can't disagree with this

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/9390815/Reason-Gap-to-All-Blacks-starting-to-narrow

Morf

Any NZ related opinion pieces or news from camp?

I'm treading carefully with AllBlacks youtube channel as they seem to like showing the haka at least once in every video.

Or a montage of the best NZ player "haka-face". facepalm.jpg

Swiwi.

Morf wrote: »

Any NZ related opinion pieces or news from camp?

I'm treading carefully with AllBlacks youtube channel as they seem to like showing the haka at least once in every video.

Or a montage of the best NZ player "haka-face". facepalm.jpg

Basically all eyes on England. Andrew Hore may well play his last game for NZ, Dan Carter is due to play his 100th, will the returning Luke Romano get a bench spot or will Luatua cover 6/lock again, which of Savea or Jane will get a wing spot? (IMO it will be Savea at 11, and Piutau at 14)

If we had a better front-row, I'd predict a handy victory, but the NZ scrum has regressed not progressed as the season has gone on...which is weird considering Stu Cron (scrum coach) is supposed to be an expert and was on the IRB scrum panel that recommended the new engagement.

thomond2006

So there's a chance that Cory Jane, CORY JANE, won't be good enough to make a starting XV. Ah here...

Swiwi.

thomond2006 wrote: »

So there's a chance that Cory Jane, CORY JANE, won't be good enough to make a starting XV. Ah here...

Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath

Bridge93

Is piutau first choice now or just been given a go in a few friendly games?

Fireball07

Swiwi. wrote: »

Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath

I would swap Cory Jane for Jack McGrath every day of the week.

It's Corey Jane ffs! Getting to see those hand-offs on a more regular basis..... wow

thomond2006

Swiwi. wrote: »

Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath

SOLD

Swiwi.

Bridge93 wrote: »

Is piutau first choice now or just been given a go in a few friendly games?

I wouldn't count Australia & France as friendly games :eek:, Japan maybe.

He's strung 3 quality games together, and Hansen strongly hinted that means he'll get this weekend's game as a result.

Swiwi.

Just seen the AB team. McCaw better not get injured (or yellow-carded he he)

thomond2006

Crotty ahead of Jane on the bench? Is Crotty more versatile?

Swiwi.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Crotty ahead of Jane on the bench? Is Crotty more versatile?

Nah Crotty covers midfield, Ben Smith covers back 3.

Morf

Swiwi. wrote: »

Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath

Stephen Archer? Tony Buckley?

Niall O'Connor?

the baby bull elephant

Swiwi. wrote: »

Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath

Hands off!

Morf

Sorry to bug you Swiwi but you keep more of an eye on Kiwi media.

What is the feeling on Cotter and Schmidt there? Are they on the radar?

Is there murmurings of getting them back into Super XV coaching at some point?

International rugby seems to be a career-killer for a lot of coaches but Henry did well after Wales and the Lions.

Swiwi.

Morf wrote: »

Sorry to bug you Swiwi but you keep more of an eye on Kiwi media.

What is the feeling on Cotter and Schmidt there? Are they on the radar?

Is there murmurings of getting them back into Super XV coaching at some point?

International rugby seems to be a career-killer for a lot of coaches but Henry did well after Wales and the Lions.

Not at the moment, every article etc is all about the England game this weekend. Schmidt will definitely come into view next week, though, and I expect he might even get interviewed on NZ radio, which I'll post if that's the case. Obviously, if Ireland beat the ABs, he will be etched in the NZ conscience for eternity.

Cotter is out of view at present, but it will depend on his work with Scotland, I guess.

They'll both come more info focus I assume after 2015, depending on how NZ fare, and what Ireland & Scotland produce. Dave Rennie must be a frontrunner at present for the AB job, but Schmidt/Cotter would be an appealing combination. However, one or both of them would have to somehow be involved in NZ rugby under the current rules. I'm sure some solution would be found if they were chosen.

A lot of people criticise NZers for not following NH rugby, but I don't think you can blame people for not getting up at 3am to watch Munster play Leinster. A reasonable amount of people would follow the 6N, but only diehard fans would stretch to HEC rugby I think. So Schmidt's HEC success & Cotter's Top 14 success would not have registered so much, but certainly success with either Ireland or Scotland would be noticed, especially if it involved knocking SANZAR teams or England (less so France, and not really Wales or Scotland) out of a RWC.

Morf

Thank you!

Good to know that they are getting complacent. Rather than getting carried away with a possible loss-free season they are worrying about the worsening scrum and less convincing performances.

Swiwi.

Yeah! SBW is returning to rugby...in 2015/16, having signed a contract with the Chiefs/NZRFU. He can be an annoying character, but much like Folau, Cooper, Le Roux he is one of those players that makes Super Rugby fun to watch.

Swiwi.

All Blacks Cory Jane, Israel Dagg and Luke Romano have all signed contract extensions beyond the 2015 World Cup.

Lock Romano has signed on until 2016, while outside backs Dagg and Jane will stay until 2017, when the British and Irish Lions are due to tour New Zealand.

Other top All Blacks on long-term deals include Kieran Read, Ben Smith and Sam Whitelock (all 2017), as well as Dane Coles and returning rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams (both 2016).


Jane, Dagg and Romano all cited Sean & Jamie as inspiration to remain loyal to club and country - thanks lads!

astonaidan

Any idea where Benji is going to be suiting up yet

Swiwi.

astonaidan wrote: »

Any idea where Benji is going to be suiting up yet

Flyhalf for the Blues. He's going to need to play out of his skin to make the ABs, and I expect his tackling, or lack thereof, will be heavily targeted during the SXV.

We shall see.

astonaidan

Swiwi. wrote: »

Flyhalf for the Blues. He's going to need to play out of his skin to make the ABs, and I expect his tackling, or lack thereof, will be heavily targeted during the SXV.

We shall see.

So your not holding much hope for him? remember watching him for the tigers and thought FB or maybe centre, an awful strange decision to start off at ten

Swiwi.

astonaidan wrote: »

So your not holding much hope for him? remember watching him for the tigers and thought FB or maybe centre, an awful strange decision to start off at ten

I think it's a gimmick. Keeping on with Buer's theme, I'm sure crowd numbers will "swell", but I'll be surprised if he's skilled enough to game manage. I would have thought FB too...but then the Blues have Piutau.

CatFromHue

Who else do the Blues have that can play 10 to a good standard?

Swiwi.

CatFromHue wrote: »

Who else do the Blues have that can play 10 to a good standard?

Their other flyhalves are Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes, and at a stretch Piri Weepu. I would class the first 2 as a bit like Jimmy Gopperth - capable of mixing the good with the bad. Enough to win some games, but not consistent enough to go all the way (another Buer-ism...).

I expect Marshall will have moments of magic. But against structured teams like the Crusaders and the Brumbies, I'm not sure he will know how to pull the strings well enough.

I genuinely would love to see a player like Sexton with the Blues.

Swiwi.

You next AB hooker is Liam Coltman (Highlanders). Very impressive work-rate. You heard it here first.

.ak

Shock as Weepu suffers minor stroke

Jesus, that's mad. Hopefully nothing too serious..

ssaye2

.ak wrote: »

Shock as Weepu suffers minor stroke

Jesus, that's mad. Hopefully nothing too serious..

https://twitter.com/piriweepu/status/448976554995888128

Boss and Jimmy tweeted him, seems in good spirits now thankkfully

Swiwi.

Ouch! Cruden fractured thumb and may miss June series v England. Carter already out via Sabbatical. Cometh the hour cometh the Beauden-meister I hope. Is Donald trout fishing?

CatFromHue

Seemingly England were trying to get the tests moved back a week but no luck (it sounds like it was there own fault too)

http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/220949.html

Tox56

Swiwi. wrote: »

Ouch! Cruden fractured thumb and may miss June series v England. Carter already out via Sabbatical. Cometh the hour cometh the Beauden-meister I hope. Is Donald trout fishing?

That's a big blow. Barrett has all the flair in the world in Super Rugby but test rugby asks so many more (different) questions. Should still be a Kiwi clean sweep though

Swiwi.

Tox56 wrote: »

That's a big blow. Barrett has all the flair in the world in Super Rugby but test rugby asks so many more (different) questions. Should still be a Kiwi clean sweep though

There's always the chance the English pack gets the better of the NZ one, but the best FHs still shine despite playing off the back foot. Will be a good test for wee Beaudie.

Swiwi.

It's AB bolters time!

Kiwi rugby fans love a good bolter! Not too long now until the Blackness is named to face our very good friends™ the Poms. So I've picked a possible bolter from each franchise

Blues
NZ has 2 world class locks in Whitelock & Retallick, and international options in Romano, Bird & Thrush. The latter 2 have not convinced too much to date. So I've gone with Patrick Tuipulotu, who had another great game for the Blues today at lock.

Chiefs
Whether NZ needs yet another wing who can cover FB or vice versa I'm not sure. 14/15 will be well covered by Smith, Dagg & Piutau +/- Jane, but Tom Marshall has always impressed. TNW is another possibility, but I shudder to think of him in midfield defending against Tualagi.

Hurricanes
I'd go with Jack Lam or Alapati Leiua especially...but these 2 are both aligned with Samoa. Kind of leaves me Andre Taylor...don't think so.

Crusaders
Can't see any bolters here, so I'll go with Colin Slade to usurp Tom Taylor and take the third 10 spot behind Cruden & Barrett.

Highlanders
Easiest to last. Malechai Fekitoa has looked sharp all season in a position NZ has limited depth. I've been more & more impressed with Ryan Crotty as a dual 12/13, but Fekitoa looks good. Nonu & Smith are nailed on, and I think Crotty will make the cut, but with Saili injured/average, and Aki now Connacht bound, Fekitoa has a royal chance.

CatFromHue

How's Nonu playing recently?

Swiwi.

CatFromHue wrote: »

How's Nonu playing recently?

Was fine today v the (Wara)Tahs. Lovely pass to set up the first try. As we all know, he can play as rubbish as he wants in SXV, he's not losing that AB 12 jersey. Not until SBW returns anyway.

hahashake

CatFromHue wrote: »

How's Nonu playing recently?

Playing well, set up a try with a great cutout pass against the Tahs.

hahashake

Swiwi. wrote: »

It's AB bolters time!

Kiwi rugby fans love a good bolter! Not too long now until the Blackness is named to face our very good friends™ the Poms. So I've picked a possible bolter from each franchise

Blues
NZ has 2 world class locks in Whitelock & Retallick, and international options in Romano, Bird & Thrush. The latter 2 have not convinced too much to date. So I've gone with Patrick Tuipulotu, who had another great game for the Blues today at lock.

Chiefs
Whether NZ needs yet another wing who can cover FB or vice versa I'm not sure. 14/15 will be well covered by Smith, Dagg & Piutau +/- Jane, but Tom Marshall has always impressed. TNW is another possibility, but I shudder to think of him in midfield defending against Tualagi.

Hurricanes
I'd go with Jack Lam or Alapati Leiua especially...but these 2 are both aligned with Samoa. Kind of leaves me Andre Taylor...don't think so.

Crusaders
Can't see any bolters here, so I'll go with Colin Slade to usurp Tom Taylor and take the third 10 spot behind Cruden & Barrett.

Highlanders
Easiest to last. Malechai Fekitoa has looked sharp all season in a position NZ has limited depth. I've been more & more impressed with Ryan Crotty as a dual 12/13, but Fekitoa looks good. Nonu & Smith are nailed on, and I think Crotty will make the cut, but with Saili injured/average, and Aki now Connacht bound, Fekitoa has a royal chance.

Tuipulotu and Fekitoa are my picks, not really convinced by the others. Reckon we'll see a hooker e.g. Coltman or Marshall and prop e.g. Hames.

Swiwi.

hahashake wrote: »

Tuipulotu and Fekitoa are my picks, not really convinced by the others. Reckon we'll see a hooker e.g. Coltman or Marshall and prop e.g. Hames.

Yeah, but I dont think a hooker is a bolter. It will be Coles, Mealamu (if uninjured) and then 1 or both of Coltman & Marshall. Both these 2 need to improve their lineout throwing, but otherwise look good.

Will be interested to see if the Chiefs fattie makes the cut, he has potential, and is good for 60 minutes, which is all props need these days. I'd like to see Ben Franks get a better chance this season.

hahashake

Swiwi. wrote: »

Yeah, but I dont think a hooker is a bolter. It will be Coles, Mealamu (if uninjured) and then 1 or both of Coltman & Marshall. Both these 2 need to improve their lineout throwing, but otherwise look good.

Will be interested to see if the Chiefs fattie makes the cut, he has potential, and is good for 60 minutes, which is all props need these days. I'd like to see Ben Franks get a better chance this season.

Fair enough although there has been talk of Corey Flynn being in frame for selection. He's not setting the world on fire but he's experienced.

Tameifuna will never be an AB IMO, his fitness is too much of a risk. Great player but not AB quality.

Swiwi.

hahashake wrote: »

Fair enough although there has been talk of Corey Flynn being in frame for selection. He's not setting the world on fire but he's experienced.

Tameifuna will never be an AB IMO, his fitness is too much of a risk. Great player but not AB quality.

In any case I hope we see Savea 11, Piutua 14, Smith 15 this season.

I doubt they choose Flynn, his ship has sailed.

hahashake

Swiwi. wrote: »

In any case I hope we see Savea 11, Piutua 14, Smith 15 this season.

I doubt they choose Flynn, his ship has sailed.

First part I agree with although Dagg's boot may keep his spot. Sad but true.

I would've thought Flynn was nowhere near selection but Grant Fox name-dropped him in a radio interview.

Swiwi.

hahashake wrote: »

First part I agree with although Dagg's boot may keep his spot. Sad but true.

I would've thought Flynn was nowhere near selection but Grant Fox name-dropped him in a radio interview.

Yeah I listened to that utterly inane interview. What's the point? He gave nothing away.

Swiwi.

NZ Under-20 squad:

Forwards: Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki), Timothy Cadwallader (Manawatu), Troy Callander (Bay of Plenty), Geoffrey Cridge (Hawke's Bay), Joshua Dickson (Otago), Epalahame Faiva (Waikato), Kyle Harris (Otago), Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato), Tau Koloamatangi (Waikato), Scott Mellow (Taranaki), Atunaisa Moli (Waikato), James O'Reilly (Wellington), Matthew Peni (Wellington), Tom Sanders (Canterbury), James Tucker (Waikato).

Backs: Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury), Kaveinga Finau (Canterbury), Leon Fukofuka (Auckland), Tinoai Faiane (Auckland), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington), Simon Hickey (Auckland, captain), Tevita Li (North Harbour), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato), Damian McKenzie (Waikato), Richard Mo'unga (Canterbury), Joshua Renton (Otago), Vincent Tavae-Aso (Auckland)
Tauasosi Tuimavave (Wellington).

I won't even remotely claim to know anything about these players, you guys put me to shame with your knowledge of the Irish U20 team. I have seen Hickey & Li play for the Blues, and I know Lienert-Brown is with the Chiefs, but that's it.

CatFromHue

I wonder what type of player Boshier is?

Swiwi.

CatFromHue wrote: »

I wonder what type of player Boshier is?

German? A Bosch merchant...