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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
My First All Blacks Squad To Play Ireland 11 views
30 May 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson picks his All Blacks squad of 22 to face Ireland in the first test in June. Who do you think will be selected?
The first All Blacks squad of 2012 to play Ireland will be named on Sunday and will involve players from the All Blacks training squad which has been named already. There are about six difficult positions to decide. Plenty will depend on if new coach Steve Hansen decides to select the old guard from the out of sorts Blues franchise like Ali Williams, Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu and which positions the coaching staff decide to go for youth over experience in and when form will be picked over class.
Here is my team
Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, Tamati Ellison.
Talking points
Wingers - I have gone for Ben Smith on the right wing replacing the injured Cory Jane. He is in great form for the Highlanders at fullback, but he can play on the wing.
Julian Savea deserves a start in this match, although hopefully he is up for the challenge of playing at international level. We need to try him out at some stage. Other options on the wing, Hosea Gear and Zac Guildford have been tried at test level already with mixed results. They also missed selection in the initial training squad.
Second five eighth - Sonny Bill Williams has to be selected to start against Ireland after an impressive Super Rugby 2012 competition so far. Ma'a Nonu could get a start at some stage in the series depending on how things are going.
Halfback - There are four options at halfback. I think Kerr Barlow will drop out of the squad completely and think that Aaron Smith and Andy Ellis are the best going around at the moment, if you ignore TJ Perenara who missed selection in the initial squad. Weepu's inclusion depends on fitness and if Steve Hansen is worried about winning, blooding new players or picking experience. Ellis and Weepu are the experienced options, but neither will be around in three years at the next Rugby World Cup in 2015. Smith has the best pass in the country and needs to be introduced.
Loose forwards - Kieran Read and Richie McCaw are automatic selections. The next best loose forwards are Adam Thomson and Victor Vito. They play different styles of game with Vito more of a powerhouse like Jerome Kaino while Thomson is more tall and rangy. I think it depends what style of game the All Blacks will play against Ireland. If the series is won before the third test then watch for one of the youngsters from the All Blacks training squad but most probably Sam Cane to get a run. Luke Whitelock and Brad Shields will probably feature in the November internationals.
Locks - Sam Whitelock is a compulsory selection, but it is difficult to know whether Ali Williams will be selected to start because of his experience? Brodie Retallick has been amazing this season and could come off the bench, while Luke Romano has also been in good form.
Frontrow - This is the easiest position to select with Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock and Andrew Hore set to start. Ben Franks will probably see off some exciting new youngsters to play from the bench. I would have no problems playing some of these youngsters if we win the first two tests. Hika Elliot will start on the bench if Keven Mealamu isn't fit.
Anyway, here is my first All Blacks squad of 2012 to play Ireland. Look for very few new faces for the first two test matches, but some promising youngsters like Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Hika Elliot, Aaron Smith and Julian Savea should find themselves getting some game time, especially if the All Blacks win the first two matches of the series.
Who do you think will be in the first All Blacks squad of 22 to play Ireland? Do you agree with my selections?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/my-first-all-blacks-squad-to-play.html
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