Let's work through and point out how this is possible. Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock would be obvious first choice props for the All Blacks with Hayman still regarded as the best scrummager in the world. They are being compensated with John Afoa, Neemia Tialata and Greg Somerville. Now out of these three, Somerville would be the only one that would be considered world class and has that reputation to back it up. Of course Kees Meeuws is also widely regarded in propping circles and would probably be picked also. One problem, he is in France playing his footy.
The locking department is fairly sound with Ali Williams and Brad Thorn being selected and rightly so. Williams is world class and Thorn has had an excellent Super 14 campaign and deserves to have his spot. However, Anthony Boric is not All Black material. He is unproven even at Super 14 level; granted he has played well for the Blues this season. What would happen if Chris Jack was not playing his rugby in Japan? Someone would miss out because Jack would be a shoe in.
The loose forward trio is looking decidedly bare at present with the recent announcement that Jerry Collins is off to the Mother Land. Collins has been the rock in the All Blacks pack for the last decade or so and Graham Henry saying that he would not have been selected anyway, is a joke. He has been, and still is, the best blindside flanker the rugby public has seen for a number off years. Trying to play him off with unproven guys such as the injury prone and inconsistent Jerome Kaino, or a youngster like Adam Thomson could have major repercussions come Tri Nations time. Rodney So'oialo deserves his place and has been a solid player at No 8 for the last few years but with the ill-disciplined Sione Lauaki as his backup, penalties, indiscretions and missed tackles are sure to come. Yes he's a game breaker but is he a match winner? Luckily, the play of the worlds best openside flanker Richie McCaw will help compensate for the lack of a solid blindside.
Halfback is a clear indication that the All Blacks have not selected the best possible team. Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher are getting on in age, but if they were still on New Zealand soil, they would be automatic choices. New Zealand rugby has a weakness at halfback and the only one that would make the squad if these two were still here would have to be Jimmy Cowan just because of his tenacity and enthusiasm. Andy Ellis is slow, laboured, and seems to lack intensity, and Brendon Leonard is still too raw and inexperienced. Why he played the fateful Cardiff semi final is anyone's guess.
Stephen Donald? Need I say more? Inconsistant, lacks a high goal kicking percentage, and crumbles under pressure. This shows that Henry is clearly missing Nick Evans, and Luke McAlistair. Thankfully the New Zealand rugby Union has decided to compromise with the worlds best first five eighth Dan Carter because if they didn't, Donald would be starting.
The centre pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith seems solid especially at the offensive end. Nonu is a block-busting player with phenomenal skills and Smith is that solid "Mr Consistent" that is needed in every backline. But Nonu's defence has to be under scrutiny as he been known to fall off tackles and can be slow to recover. Clearly if Aaron Mauger and McAlistair were still in the country, either of those would be more suitable at second five eighth as a pose to Nonu. The place the All Blacks need to use Nonu is as a game breaker coming off the bench. What about Tana? Did he only "retire" to chase the dosh in Toulon?
The wing spots see the flying Sitiveni Sivivatu on the left wing with the highly rated but inexperienced Anthony Tuitavake making his debut on the right. Off the bench is youngster Rudy Wulf who is clearly just making up the numbers with the departure of Doug Howlett and Rico Gear off chasing the big money. To add to the All Blacks troubles, Joe Rokocoko has an injury so New Zealand has no one else. Tipping 19 year old Zac Guildford as a bolter was ridiculous.
The All Blacks are clearly lucky that the two best fullbacks haven't departed or we might have Shannon Paku running there! Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald are explosive, experienced campaigners which will solidify the thin looking three quarter area.
So there you have it. I could have gone through and named other overseas New Zealander's that would be All Blacks if they were playing at home at present; the likes of Bruce Reihana, Reagan King, and Carlos Spencer. But hey, we already know that. The solution: Go private and keep our best players.
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