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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
North vs South Island Potential Teams 13 views
16 May 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson looks at the potential North vs South Island teams. It will be interesting to see who wins. Some selections will depend on who is released from the All Blacks training squad. Who do you think will feature and who will win?
The North vs South Island match takes place on June 9th 2012 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin and it is based on Super Rugby teams with the Crusaders and Highlanders making up the South Island who will wear the white uniforms, while the North Island will feature players from the Hurricanes, Chiefs and Blues.
This is the first North vs South match held in New Zealand since 1995 and a big feature of the teams named will be that former great All Black captain Graham Mourie will coach the North Island, while Tony Gilbert will return to the coaching fold to coach the South Island.
In the past the North vs South match doubled as an All Blacks trial, so it will be interesting to see if any players who won't make the All Blacks and are leaving overseas, like Jimmy Cowan should be selected.
The North vs South teams won't feature any All Blacks from the Ireland series, but could feature the players from the 35 man All Blacks wider training squad. I have listed the teams I would pick below. It would be preferable to use this match as an opportunity to test some new young players at the next level.
There is the potential that four wider training players like Tamati Ellison, Beauden Barrett, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Luke Whitelock, Brad Shields, Luke Romano and Ben Tameifuna will miss out on the All Blacks, but if they are eligible they will be probably included in either the North or the South Island team.
North Island
Andre Taylor
Lelia Masaga
Rene Ranger
Benson Stanley
Rudi Wulf
Gareth Anscombe
TJ Perenara
Liam Messam
Luke Braid
Tanierau Latimer
Jason Eaton
Craig Clarke
Toby Smith
Hika Elliot
Reg Goodes
Reserves
Michael Hobbs
Andrew Horrell
Brendon Leonard
Faifili Levave
James Broadhurst
Dane Coles
Tevita Mailau
The other players who would get in if they miss out on the All Blacks Squad of 30 include
Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Cane at openside, Brad Shields at Number Eight with Messam to move to blindside and Latimer to the bench or out of the squad, Ben Tameifuna would start at tight head prop.
Points to note - Goodes gets in a prop because of his potential, Clarke wins a tight battle with Thrush and Broadhurst, loose forward mix is interesting, there could be changes depending on who misses out on the All Blacks, Anscombe gets a trial at Number 10 to see how he copes, but could be replaced by Barrett if he missed the All Blacks or Hobbs or Horrell off the bench. Robbie Robinson would also be an option off the bench.
South Island
Tom Marshall
Zac Guildford
Robbie Fruean
Ryan Crotty
Hosea Gear
Tom Taylor
Jimmy Cowan
Nasi Manu
Matt Todd
Nick Crosswell
Josh Bekhuis
Jarrad Hoeata
Chris King
Corey Flynn
Jamie Mackintosh
Reserves
Sean Maitland
Chris Noakes
Willie Heinz
George Whitelock
Tom Donnelly
Jason Rutledge
Bronson Murray
Players like Tamati Ellison, Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano and Luke Whitelock would start if they don't make the All Blacks squad.
Points to note - I have put Cowan at halfback, because there are very few other options apart from Heinz who isn't up to it. Crosswell makes it just ahead of George Whitelock, Crotty only gets in because of his partnership with Fruean, although I think Burleigh and Kenny Lynn are worthy midfielders, I have gone for Guildford on the right wing ahead of Maitland, but hopefully Maitland would get on. Delany is past it so I would go for Noakes on the bench although Tyler Bleyendaal is close.
In summary, I think unlike in the past, this match would be a close battle, but plenty will depend on who gets released from the All Blacks wider training squad.
What do you think of the North vs South Island New Zealand rugby teams? Who do you think will win? Who have I missed out that you think should feature in this match? Is this match the same without any All Blacks involved?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/north-vs-south-island-potential-teams.html
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