All Blacks Side to Take on France: Thoughts

After all the speculation, the 32 All Blacks to take on France in 3 tests this June have been named this afternoon as follows -

Props - Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Afeaki*, Wyatt Crockett
Hookers - Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Dane Coles
Locks - Sam Whitelock, Jeremy Thrush*, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano
Loose Forwards - Sam Cane, Kieran Read (captain), Liam Messam, Steven Luatua*, Victor Vito
Halfbacks - Piri Weepu, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow
First fives - Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett
Centres - Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili
Outside Backs - Israel Dagg, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Charles Piutau

*denotes new caps

NB: Matt Todd is in for Sam Whitelock as an injury replacement - Whitelock may be available for selection for the 3rd test.

Funnily enough, it is the side that most would have tipped given the impressions over the last couple of months and non-availability of the likes of Richie McCaw, Richard Kahui & Cory Jane (injury), Sonny Bill Williams (league) and Ali Williams (retired).

Late injuries to Dominic Bird and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen have curtailed their All Black dreams for now although one reckons they should be back in the near future. Jeffrey's teammate, Jeremy Thrush, has benefited from Bird's misfortune and finally earned his first All Black cap after years of pushing hard for selection.

However, the rise and rise of Blues trio Steven Luatua, Charles Piutau (my tip for bolter earlier in the year) and Francis Saili has meant their All Black selections now came as little of a surprise. Luatua now may gain a bit more game time in black then originally thought due to his versatility to play lock and the loose forward positions and with Whitelock's injury possibly sidelining him for the first two tests at least.

Rene Ranger has also been recalled into the All Blacks after a stellar season in the backs for the Blues. The question now is whether Ranger can finally step up his game and show his talent at the highest level of the game - doubts remain as to whether the Northland utility back is of international quality despite his brilliant displays for the Blues and Northland all these years.

TJ Perenara and Tom Taylor are probably the unluckiest to miss out for me although given Piri's big head knock in the Highlanders v Blues game on Saturday night and the precautions the medical staff now have to take with concussed players, TJ might very well still feature this June if Piri can't quite recover in time; if he does, it'll be quite richly deserved as he has been one of the standout players for the Canes this season.

So the squad has been named but the starting XV is still possibly unclear given the mixed form of a lot of these players especially those based in Highlanders territory. This is one exciting All Blacks side with a bit more youth than the selectors might have liked though due to circumstances beyond their control.

Don't mess with the French when they're wounded. 

This should be an intriguing series between the 2011 Rugby World Cup finalists with both sides featuring plenty of youth. The French will be desperate to show that they are still a force to be reckoned in world rugby after an appalling 6 Nations - which historically has meant, French victory against the All Blacks possibly at the most inconvenient time.

The new format of Super Rugby has also meant the All Blacks could be somewhat undercooked as a team and the French are possibly a good chance of ending the All Blacks' long unbeaten run at Eden Park - let's not forget, the French were the last team to beat the ABs at Eden Park back in 1994.

Alas, it'll feel like an eternity before the first kick off at Eden Park but let the speculation begin!