And if you want the wings to fly to Wales to watch the All Blacks live and in the flesh on the Telecom BackingBlack Tour, stay tuned for details! Don’t worry members, we’ll email you details as soon as they’re released.
Yes, that was a paid message from our sponsors – you don’t wanna miss out on this opportunity of a life-time!
Just so you know, this isn’t a holiday to go sunning yourself, this is the UK, after all… not forgetting the seasonal realities… Yes, should you win, you will be heading to Wales, who will no doubt be saying they will beat us, again, boyo, to watch our Boys in All Black!
And so, yesterday at Eden Park, in the City of Squalls that we also refer to as Auckland, the latest instalment in a great All Black tradition took place: the squad for the Telecom BACKINGBLACK Tour was announced.
If you want to read the squad in full, I suggest you visit… here!
Now that it has been named, it is our job to discuss, dissect, diverge, and divulge on what we the fans, in our individual positions of authority, think of Graham Henry and Co’s latest line-up to depart our Shaky Shores!
Can you handle the Jandel… Summer is Coming, Can’t You Tell?!
To fulfill this transaction, we will discuss these selections in three categories: Sure Things, those players who were always going to be there. Surprises, those selections that made us sit up and smirk! Finally, Shockers, those players who have missed out… but how?!
While I am sure Henry and Co. are certain in their selections, I would be surprised if there were too many oracles who picked all 30. When Henry confirmed that the philosophy was to replicate a Rugby World Cup squad, it did impact on the selections… nevertheless, here we go!
Sure Things
The following names, or most of the names, do not need any introduction or introspection, as they were really never in doubt, even on this side of the selection fence. Messrs McCaw, Thorn, Mealamu,
Most of these boys were solid-to-standouts in the recent Tri-Nations unbeaten run, and so were always going to be selected! The others had been standouts, and now that they are fit again, they are back in Black!
Speaking of, we must send a special BACKINGBLACK shout-out to Piri Weepu, a man who was always going to make it! We are gutted for you, bro, but know you’ll come back stronger than ever! Kia Kaha, and we’ll be right there tweeting with ya!
Another sure thing that we have pointed out on the blog before was the elevation of…. S>>>B>>>W…. Yes, it is now official, and with his recent performances on the field, I am stoked that there is general satisfaction that the man has done enough!
This is where it could get interesting…
Surprises
Hikawera Elliott – His inclusion as a surprise really relates to the decision to take 3 specialist hookers. Corey Flynn’s injury, and the injury cloud over Mealamu and Hore, means the All Blacks selectors decided to take another Hooker. Henry indicated that if both rakes were fit and firing, they were inclined to only take 2, as John Afoa is being groomed as a Front-Rower of all trades. However, given Elliott’s form, his ability with ball in hand, the injury to Flynn, and the decision to take 3 Specialists, the flightpath was cleared for his All Black takeoff, and he is on the plane.
Daniel Braid – The perennial search for a back-up to Richie McCaw found a Back to the Future contestant for this tour. Many have been tried, and yet we still search for someone to mimic Marty Holah, who was world-class in his own right. Braid was touted as a boy with wonder in his boots, but McCaw was his kryptonite to an All Black ascension. However, after a successful stint in Queensland, which was encouraged by the new rule interpretations, the Daniel of the Braid variety [there is a younger brother, Luke] was lured back to NZ, which indicated what the Coaching Triumvirate were thinking. Therefore, while I would have been keen for some, fresh meat [insert: Matt Todd… his time will come] in this position, given that they want a specialist back-up to McCaw, the big surprise with Braid may come in the fact that the All Blacks selectors often take a hybrid to cover Richie, the Energizer Rugby Player!
Liam Messam – I like Messam as a person and a player… Ahhhh, warm fuzzies… However, I am still trying to see him in that one position in the loose-forward trio. He still remains a bench player who can cover the back row. He has definitely developed his game over the years, and has had his heart ripped out… a.k.a. Victor Vito style… but has come back as a much more dependable and solid performer. Physically gifted, no doubt, but has yet to mark his territory at this level. While it may be a matter of who would replace him, given Coach Henry’s reference to him as a No. 8 [any Colin Bourke supporters out there?], he has no better example than Kieran Read to imitate on this Teleocom BackinBlack Tour, as he will get a chance to remove the doubt, making beliebers of us all!
Andy Ellis – This man may go down as the most disliked All Black in this squad. To be frank, and I am not related, while he is yet to really do anything substantial in an All Black jersey, I see the potential in Andy Ellis, where others do not. While it seems reasonable to conclude that he is only there as a result of the Weepu woe, he has the opportunity to re-stake his claim. He will have to work hard to change people’s minds about his worth, but there is only one way this will transpire! Yes, a surprise addition before Saturday evening, but his form for Canterbury has been noted… Can he step up?
Stephen Donald – I have blogged on other shores about a possible rationale for the Donald inclusion. However, given his demotion behind Mike Delaney Tunes some 12 months previous, the talk of his need to move to the number 12 shirt, the rise and potential of Cruden and Slade, the re-selection of Stephen is still head-scratching for some. Yes, he has come back strong in the ITM Cup, but as has been affirmed by McCaw himself, this is a couple of levels below International rugby, which is where the skill-set of Donald has struggled. Tenacious, hard working and a good team man though he is, is he an International First-Five who could lead the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup success? And while Cruden and Slade have the upside of a very big upside, I remain-to-be-convinced whether Donald can operate in the International arena when his time will be a vacant reality, and his Transformer mechanics [insert: can be robotic] are in the pressure cooker.
Hosea Gear – What? “You must be kidding,” goes many a-supporter, “It’s about time!” Yes, the drums have been beating for this behemoth in the wing, for years. What a week it has been for “H,” from Commonwealth GOLD to All Black GOLD. Can it get any sweeter? While I am a fan of this man’s finishing ability, it has been his work rate that has near doubled that was obviously the selling point for Henry and Co., which explains why now is the time that they have added Hosea, particularly noteworthy considering the log-jam in the wing positions. Therefore, while I had other names on my mind, I am happy with this surprise, as long as he can reproduce, which is the key question from this time 12 months back, when Gear was given his first big All Black break!
Shockers
When we have players in mind, very often we have not thought through the ramifications of each selection, and how this player, who we think must make it, compliments and fits the Squad as a whole. Therefore, these players are those who many would have found a position for, even if 30 players plus 1, breaks the bank!
Victor Vito – Sadly for Victor, I do wonder if the memory of that glaring over-read versus Australia did not play a large part in him missing out on this Tour Party, particularly when the introduction of Jerome Kaino was decisive in the final result, to boot. While that may read a little unfairly, I would think it would have been such things [insert: work-rate] that would have split Vito and Messam in the Selectors’ minds. Messam has removed much of the fundamental flaws in his game, and has had to go to the Wilderness to work these through, and now it is Victor’s turn. If only 2 Hookers were taken, I would think Victor Vito would have more than likely, been in… grinning.
Aaron Cruden – Talking about Aaron can be transposed onto Colin Slade, as both seemed to be peas in the same pod, in the perennial search for Dan Carter’s back-up. Cruden, again, seems to be paying for his part in an indifferent All Black 60 at Sydney. While this was a team affair, such is the nature of International sport. Personally, I am surprised they have not taken this opportunity to further develop this young man’s undoubted gifts. His return to the ITM Cup had allayed many doubts, but the Donald’s form screamed, you’re fired, as he came back breathing fire. Cruden will be back, the boy has too much up top, and has been through too much adversity to allow this set-back to stifle his spirit. Next Year’s Super Rugby competition will be definitive in who gets the All Blacks No. 2 No. 10, and there are three starters, desperate for action.
Colin Slade – While Cruden’s stock went south in Sydney, Slade’s shot north, as his introduction coincided with the All Blacks’ re-awakening. While a direct cause and effect is pushing the envelope, he did do everything right in the final 20, affirming that he can handle the kitchen. I would have taken both Cruden and Slade, as I believe they are both the present-to-the-future, and such time would have been invaluable, particularly in 12 months time. However, like Cruden, he will have a Highlanders outfit to prove his pivot potential, although, poison chalice anyone?!
Robbie Fruean – The Freakish Fear Factor of the Freight Train [credit to a tweep before a Marshall for this] that is the Robbie Fruean Express was very tough deny. I would have been inclined to only take 2 half-backs, as this boy’s upside is seemingly the size of Sonny! We have few backs who actually put the fear of God into the opposition, but Fruean has this Factor on tap. The fact that he can also play on the wing is another tick in my book. I would have used this time to develop another mid-field combination further with SBW… even with the addition of Toeava, as time in the saddle with DC would have been invaluable. Henry has spoken of how close Fruean was to selection, and we may still see him on Tour, as injuries are always a possibility, but a huge Super season awaits!
Rene Ranger – Last, but by no means least, is Rene “ROD” Ranger… Ranger of Danger… who has missed the cut. My last memory of Ranger is coming on in Sydney, making a real impact, as the All Blacks pushed on toward victory… Oh, and that ad! It does seem that the Selectors who are Coaches have gone for more specialists on this Tour, which means Ranger’s diversity is missing in action. For mine, the boy has such a bench upside that his lack of selection is a little surprising, although, once again, battling it out for a spot in 30 is no easy beat. Ranger needs a big Super season in one position where he can be tested against all-other-comers, as utility can be hard to beat!
There we have it!
Yes, there are other names that can be added, and we encourage you to be free with your thoughts, opinions, and perspectives. While Israel Dagg could be added to the Shockers, such is only as a result of the grief and shock of many who found out that he was unable to Tour as injured… He Will Be Back…
… and, so will I, as I am wont to read and interact with your comments… You are going to comment!
Let’s get some interaction going, as the buffet is open, and it is all you can read, tweet, and something that rhymes with comment! 😉
WHAT SAY YOU?
Until Next Time
iamjonnyking
