(Not) The All Blacks RWC Squad

So the 31 names going to England to win the Rugby World Cup for only the 3rd time for the All Blacks have been confirmed.

The focus really has now been on who hasn't made that list - and there have definitely been some high profile names and very unlucky players amongst that lot.

Israel Dagg and Cory Jane are the two from the last World Cup who have missed out while Charles Piutau and Lima Sopoaga can count themselves very unlucky not to have been named.

So what would the alternate ABs RWC squad without the 31 players named look like?

Here's my take -

Props - Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Kane Hames
Hookers - James Parsons, Ash Dixon, Hika Elliot
Locks - Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Joe Wheeler
Loose Forwards - Matt Todd, Ardie Savea, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Blade Thomson, Nasi Manu
Halfbacks - Brad Weber, Andy Ellis, Mitchell Drummond
First Fives - Lima Sopoaga, Otere Black
Centres - Ryan Crotty, Charlie Ngatai, Richard Buckman, George Moala
Outside Backs - Charles Piutau, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, James Lowe, Patrick Osborne

Is this the All Blacks Squad for RWC 2015?

There has been plenty of gossip and intrigue as the hours tick down towards the most highly anticipated All Blacks side in many years.

With a Rugby World Cup defence on the line, this is one All Blacks squad no one wants to miss out on and the heartbreak will be bigger than it normally has been.

After weeks of rehearsals, auditions and speculation, it will now all come down to what happens at Parliament at 6:30pm on Sunday evening.

Reading into the leaked reports and social media like a journo at the close of football's transfer window - helped by the fact that our biggest clue is that all 31 All Blacks will be unveiled after the naming of the squad tonight, having had their phone calls earlier today - we may very well have figured out the 31 men going to England next month.

Here it is -

Props - Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina
Hookers - Keven Mealamu, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor
Locks - Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano
Loose Forwards - Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Liam Messam
Halfbacks - Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow
First Fives - Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade
Centres - Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Malakai Fekitoa
Outside Backs - Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo

What Happened to Tottenham's All Star Team of 2013-14?

When Tottenham sold Gareth Bale for a world record fee of 85 million pounds to Real Madrid, they quickly embarked on a spending spree that seemed to grab some of the most in-demand players in world football.

Paulinho, Nacer Chadli, Roberto Soldado, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela were all brought in to White Hart Lane for 105 million pounds in total in the summer of 2013 - Spurs actually made a 10 million pound profit on players funnily enough that summer.

2 years on, only Chadli, Eriksen and Lamela have stayed on and really only Eriksen could be considered money well spent - he came at a price tag of 11.5 million pounds.

As for the two most expensive signings?

Paulinho at 17 million pounds started brightly but has now moved to the obscurity of Chinese Super League football - a move worth 9.9 million pounds. A loss of 7.1 million pounds.

Roberto Soldado at 26 million pounds, probably the biggest flop of them all given his value, has now returned to Spain - Villarreal buying him for 10 million pounds. A loss of 26 million pounds.

Etienne Capoue and Vlad Chiriches have all gone to Watford and Napoli respectively - both less than the value Spurs paid for them initially.

Funny to think that back then, Tottenham were hailed as the new all star team and the team to watch.

Fast forward a few months on, Andre Villas-Boas was no longer manager, with former Spurs legend, Tim Sherwood taking the helm for the last few months as Spurs limped to 6th place, a long way from Champions League football.

Sherwood himself is now gone, replaced by former Southampton manager, Mauricio Pochettino.

Tottenham's story just illustrates the perils of buying into stardom and how easily hype can turn into flop. Fortunately, unlike Leeds who bought big for the dream all those years ago, Tottenham are financially stable - although calling them a well-run club is a bit of a stretch.

My All Blacks Team for the 2015 Rugby World Cup

The All Blacks' thumping performance of the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday night was never really in doubt even after the loss in Sydney the weekend before.

Billed as captain Richie McCaw's farewell to New Zealand and his chance to become the most capped test captain in test history, along with a chance to say goodbye to the likes of Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu, the ABs were never going to lose this game even if at times initially they looked a bit nervous.

Every player in the side stood up and while like Julian Savea may not quite be at the form we know they can be in, we have a clear idea of who will make the long flight to London next month.

So with all the auditions and warm-up tests over, here is my All Blacks squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Props -
Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala

Hookers -
Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor

Locks -
Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano

Loose Forwards -
Victor Vito, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Kieran Read

Halfbacks -
Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara

First Fives -
Dan Carter, Lima Sopoaga

Centres -
Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa

Wingers -
Julian Savea

Utility Backs -
Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Colin Slade, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Charles Piutau, Beauden Barrett

Notes - 
- Nepo Laulala has really taken his chance since being named for the Samoa test and should be named the 5th prop.
- James Broadhurst and Jeremy Thrush haven't really taken their chances and the selectors will opt to use Kieran Read, Victor Vito and Jerome Kaino as emergency lock cover
- Two specialist halfbacks with Colin Slade to become the jack of all trades
- Sonny Bill Williams to miss out after a below par season and with questions re: focus - SBW is also pursuing a spot in the Olympics.
- Lima Sopoaga and Nehe Milner-Skudder are the two new backs after taking their chances and holding them onto them well.

Lift Off in Europe!

The English football season kicked off last weekend in blockbuster fashion and the continental European season kicked off on a cracking note with Tuesday's thrilling UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla in Tbilisi.

The Bundesliga kicks off this weekend with hopes that someone will rise to properly challenge Pep Guardiola's imperious Bayern Munich side. There is a bit of hope with long-time stalwart, Bastian Schweinsteiger now at Manchester United - although it has to be said that the pig hunter was seeking new adventures approaching the autumn of his career.

It'll be interesting to see how Borussia Dortmund perform in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. They had an appalling first half to the campaign but recovered to finished in the Europa League spots, but well below their best from the last 5 seasons. Much as the Westfalenstadion would like to think they are amongst Europe's elite, they still seem to lose a lot of their best players to the more "sexy" names in football - questions persist over star pivot, Marco Reus' future.

The other big story in Germany is Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne. The Volkswagen owned club are struggling to hold onto their former Chelsea star with Man City as usual interested. de Bruyne was key to Wolfsburg's rise to 2nd place last season and with Champions League football this season, the team in green will be hoping that playing in Europe's premier competition will keep the Belgian in central Germany for one more season at least.

Down the table, Darmstadt (near Frankfurt) and Ingolstadt (halfway point on the ICE high speed line between Munich and Nuremberg, famous for being Audi's HQ) will be tussling to stay up in their first seasons in Germany's top flight.

They will be in a struggle that could very well involve once mighty Hamburger SV. The Red Shorts have had an awful last two seasons and one feels this season could be another long one as little has changed in management and in player personnel. It could very well be a case of them playing for a playoff spot where they would take on the easy fodder of the 3rd place team from the second division.

The French season kicked off last weekend with Paris St-Germain winning in week 1 for the first time in a long time, and Marcelo Bielsa resigning just minutes after Marseille's home defeat to Caen - another season of disappointment beckons for France's most supported club from the deep south. It looks like once again, the Qatari-backed capital club are the team to beat with the rest having to catch up.

Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A kick off next weekend. While Serie A's absence from the Champions League final ended last season, the strength of Italian football is still not what it was - a sign of the times being Xherdan Shaqiri leaving the San Siro for the Potteries, something that would not have been considered possible 5 years ago when Inter were European champions, let alone in the glorious 1990s. Juventus have also lost a few key players, inc. Arturo Vidal to Bayern Munich and Paul Pogba is still wanted by many clubs.

The situation is a little bit better in Spain if you're Barca, Real or Atletico. The title will probably be between Barca or Real with Barca favourites ahead of Real who will need to adapt quickly to Rafa Benitez's style. Benitez's selection of the popular Carlo Ancelotti was very controversial and it remains to be seen if Ronaldo, Bale, et al. will take kindly to the former Liverpool manager.

Down the table, Eibar will be hoping to stay up on merit after given a late reprieve after Elche were demoted for financial irregularities. Real Betis will be looking upwards and onwards after their last season in the top flight ended in abject failure, while Sporting Gijon and Las Palmas will be hoping to stay in La Liga this time around.

For Las Palmas, it will be the Canary Islands' first time in the top flight in 14 years and the holiday island would probably want to hope it doesn't just end in one season.

So another long season of football beckons with the European Championships at the end of the summer. Bring it on!

Tribute to Pup

On Saturday morning, England maintained their 10-year unbeaten series record against Australia at home with a thumping innings win at Trent Bridge, and regained the Ashes they lost 18 months ago down under.

Just after the much-abbreviated match, Australian captain, Michael Clarke, announced to former England captain and current Sky Sports pundit, Michael Atherton, his resignation as Australian captain and retirement from test cricket.

It brings to an end a colourful 11 year test career which actually has been statistically one of the best ever by any cricketer and definitely worthy of putting the cricketer affectionately known as Pup even in the autumn of his career, amongst the echelon of Australia's finest batsmen which includes names like Bradman, Border, Waugh and former captain, Ponting.

Until this tour of England, the last 5 years have been quite fruitful for Pup with the bat with the highlight being a memorable 329 against India at his home ground of the SCG at the start of 2012. That led to a run of 4 consecutive double tons in home tests against India and South Africa and then 7 more tons - 3 against England whilst being on the losing side.

Pup's test career had started with a bang - a century on debut in Bangalore against India in 2004 was followed shortly after with an incredible 6 for 9 as a part-time spinner in the same series in Mumbai. Then came the 2005 Ashes series where Pup had a poor series and was dropped to state cricket before being recalled to the side for the return Ashes series in 2006-07. He made 2 tons as Australia regained the Ashes and bade farewell to Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne later that summer.

Indeed, Pup's test career was probably complicated by being in a major transition for Australian cricket - after McGrath and Warne retired, Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Hussey all followed in the years that ensued leaving Clarke the only current Australian test player to have played in a test with Warne and McGrath. This resulted in a significantly weakened middle order which showed its deficiencies in consecutive Ashes series in England in 2009, 2013 and 2015 as well as on the subcontinent - no fault of Pup really who was often holding up the fort while the rest of his batsmen walked back to the pavillion.

Pup did make up those deficiencies with some clever fielding tactics and bold bowling changes. These were evident in the 2013-14 Ashes series where the Aussies thumped England 5-0 with some brilliant young fast bowlers, as well as in the recent Cricket World Cup.

Perhaps, Pup's young, brash demeanour which passed off as arrogant at times made him less popular than his predecessors - his public profile never really recovered after his strange episode with Aussie model, Lara Bingle although he should be commended for the way he dealt with the shocking circumstances and sudden passing of his mate, Phil Hughes.

No international cricketer had ever dealt with those circumstances but Michael Clarke was honorable in highly emotional times - a ton in the first test after Hughes' death against India in Adelaide last year was the perfect response - and it would ultimately turn out to be his last ever ton, just one short of the great Don Bradman.

For many cricket fans, his threat to break James Anderson's arm - England's best ever fast bowler isn't exactly an archangel himself - in the 2013-14 Ashes cast a shadow on Clarke as a person but it should never take away from what has been a stunning career and Clarke will be a big loss to Australian cricket as they prepare for the Steve Smith era.

Cheers Pup. You may have been batting for the other side but you were a pretty good dog and deserve respect.  

Which All Blacks Rookies Will Make the RWC Squad?

The Rugby Championship may have ended in Australian hands for 2015, but everyone knows that the All Blacks have their eyes on a bigger prize - or two if you count the Bledisloe Cup.

Several rookies have impressed in the quest to finalise the 31 man squad to travel to England for the World Cup in September. 

How did they go and what are their chances of making the flight to London? Here's a look at each bolter's chances -

1.George Moala - did well against Samoa with a try on debut but was always warming the jersey for the Hurricanes and Highlanders in the side. Probable one-cap wonder.

2.Brad Weber - another fine game on debut against Samoa and offers like for like with Perenara and Smith but might lose out to his more experienced Chiefs teammate, Tawera Kerr-Barlow for the 3rd halfback spot. 

3.Nepo Laulala - the real bolter of the season so far. Younger brother of former ABs centre, Casey, Nepo offers a much more physical game to the ABs particularly in defence. Can play both sides of the front row which is very helpful. It will come down to the wire between him and the experienced Charlie Faumuina.

4.Waisake Naholo - solid start to his international career, curtailed by season ending injury. Offers a lot of promise for the future, though. 

5.James Broadhurst - deserved his call-up after a superb Super Rugby season but was found to be a bit lightweight against the most lightweight Boks pack in history. Unless there are major injuries, will struggle to break into the side with so much quality at lock at the moment. 

6.Lima Sopoaga - only Dan Carter had a better first game at the pivot position than Sopoaga who did his chances no harm with a sterling performance in the steamy cauldron of Ellis Park. Could beat Slade to sneak in as the 2nd first five option with Barrett able to cover fullback and first five.

7.Nehe Milner-Skudder - 2 tries in a debut where he just left off from his stunning season with the Hurricanes. His line breaking abilities and utility could be worth bringing along - could benefit from SBW's desire to play in the Olympics and take his place in the side.

8. Codie Taylor - dream debut with a try minutes after coming on. Backed that up with setting up the winning try for McCaw in Johannesburg. Again came off the bench against the Wallabies. Seems set to fill the troublesome 3rd hooker spot behind Mealamu and Coles. A star of the future. 

Why Arsenal and Liverpool can be English Champions!

Another long season of football in Europe beckons with the English football season set to kick off proper this weekend. For once, the Premier League and Football League kick off on the same weekend, and not for the first time, English football will wake up to a bigger bounty of cash than it did the season before.

With more money coming in through subscriber TV in Britain and overseas, the Premier League is now clearly one of the richest leagues in the world and close to competing with the big American pro-sport leagues for gross income. Whether that money will filter through to the lower leagues of the Football League remains to be seen, although the quality of football in the Championship has certainly improved over the last 5 seasons as the likes of Derby, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest are spending up large so they can get a piece of the Premier League pie.

At the same time, the race at the top is as hot as ever. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United clearly lead the league with the money they have at their disposal - along with recent reputation and Champions League football - to spend on and the clubs in blue will be title contenders this season again.

United will be dark horses particularly with the signings they’ve made in the off season – while Bastian Schweinsteiger is clearly one for the short term, Morgan Schneiderlin is an emerging force and should be a United anchor as long as he doesn’t share the same luck as his predecessors Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves. Along with signing rising Dutch star, Memphis Depay to replace the gun-shy Robin van Persie, Van Gaal continues to play all his cards when he can and spend large and spend on known quality and United should at least consolidate their place in the top 4.

Which leaves us with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and possibly Southampton and Everton to pick up the rest of the pieces in the top 4.

Much as we would like to see the Saints and Toffees spring a surprise and reach the Champions League, they still don’t quite have the squad depth as the rest to make a sustained push for the top 4. Nevertheless, I expect the Toffees to improve on their performance last season - if not, Roberto Martinez will probably get the chop. The Saints look strong too but could be hamstrung by their participation in the Europa League.

Tottenham remain an enigma. They can be brilliant one day, awful the next. However, Pochettino is working some nice things at White Hart Lane and if Harry Kane has a repeat of his performance from last season, then Spurs fans will be singing Gareth who at long last. They’re a 50-50 chance of breaking into the Champions League and challenging for the title, but I expect them to be 5^th again.

On the other hand, Arsenal and Liverpool could really spring a surprise in the title race this season. Arsenal have bought well in the summer and Alexis Sanchez has emerged as the Gunners’ most consistent talisman since Thierry Henry. The defence is also improving and will be strengthened by having 3 top keepers in Wojcech Szceszny, David Ospina and Petr Cech. Their midfield is finally showing steel and you feel that the Gunners are on the cusp of greatness after years of consolidating themselves in the top 4.

Liverpool have also bought pretty well in the summer. While Stevie G will be a big loss for the Reds this season, he did cast a shadow over the club and new captain Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Adam Lallana along with new signing, Roberto Firmino will now have to step up – which they seem to have done in the pre-season so far. The signing of Christian Benteke is a big one for the club and he could potentially be the striker that Liverpool have wanted since Luis Suarez bit his way to a move to Barcelona. Danny Ings and a fit Daniel Sturridge will offer good support up front leaving Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli in the dark  - Lambert has now signed with West Brom while Super Mario is now likely to return to Italy.

My head says Chelsea for the title, but my heart says Arsenal or Liverpool. We shall see.

As for the race to survive, Bournemouth and Watford would naturally be favourites but they should be in with a fight till the last day. Eddie Howe is a cracking manager and the Cherries have a lot more money to spend on players than people make them out to be. Sir Elton John and his fellow Watford fans will be hoping their new manager – their umpteenth in as many seasons – can get it right from the start or it will be a long season.

Then there’s Leicester City in the post Pearson era and Norwich in the Alex Neil era, a Villa side without Benteke and West Ham with the man they’ve wanted for years at the helm (Slaven Bilic) plus playing their final season at the Boleyn Ground.

It’s set to be another cracking EPL season so it might be worth spending that $20 on a Premier League Pass now.

All Blacks RWC Squad - A Month Out!

With the Rugby World Cup squad close to being named at the end of this month and much happening since the initial squad was named, we are now getting a better impression of what the 31 man squad that will travel to England will look like.

Here's my All Blacks RWC squad -

Props - Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Nepo Laulala
Hookers - Keven Mealamu, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor
Locks - Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano
Loose Fowards - Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Victor Vito
Halfbacks - Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow
First Fives - Dan Carter, Lima Sopoaga, Beauden Barrett
Centres - Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Malakai Fekitoa
Outside Backs - Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Julian Savea, Charles Piutau

In a season where the Crusaders failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001, it is really the rising Crusaders stars who have been making the most in-roads for selection, particularly front rowers Nepo Laulala and Codie Taylor. For me, Romano just shades it in terms of physicality and ball carrying skills ahead of Jeremy Thrush as the third lock. Messam and Vito will both make the side and utility in the backs will be key which lifts the value of Ben Smith, Charles Piutau and even Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa - both can play on the wing.

Beauden Barrett could also provide cover at fullback which enables the selectors to pick Lima Sopoaga who showed nerves of steel and composure beyond his years in the cauldron of Ellis Park - and therefore gets my pick ahead of the fragile Colin Slade.

Of course, with each World Cup squad, there will always be injuries so it's not the end of the world for the likes of Slade, Thrush, Andy Ellis, Ryan Crotty, etc.