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.