courtesy of Reuters
The All Blacks will name their squad for the end of year tour to the USA, England, Scotland and Wales on Monday, with the 33 names likely to be quite familiar to NZ rugby fans.
Indeed, this is set to be the final chance for players to press their claims in the Rugby World Cup squad for next year as this tour sets to become a dress rehearsal for rugby's big show in England in 2015.
With Tony Woodcock and Ma'a Nonu out due to injury, it is a chance for the likes of Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa to press their claims to be the first names on the starting XV while Beauden Barrett will be keen to make it hard for the returning Dan Carter who should make the flight to Chicago after an injury-plagued season.
Also missing is Tawera Kerr-Barlow who suffered a season-ending injury against the Boks in Johannesburg
My tips for the squad -
Props - Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Joe Moody
Hookers - Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Nathan Harris
Locks - Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Dominic Bird
Loose Forwards - Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, Kieran Read
Halfbacks - Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Augustine Pulu
First Fives - Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden
Centres - Malakai Fekitoa, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty
Outside Backs - Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Charles Piutau
It is hard to know if they will go for six proprs or give Ryan Crotty a spot?
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see Bird ahead of Tuipulotu.
Here is my squad. They are 90 percent the same. http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/10/my-all-blacks-squad-for-northern.html.