New All Black coach Steve Hansen has named a 35-man strong training squad, the first of his tenure.
The side has a familiar, experienced look to it, with a few players, including Piri Weepu, probably included more on reputation than form. Youngsters have also been rewarded, though, with Super Rugby form ensuring call ups for a number of young stars, particularly from the Chiefs and Highlanders.
From the Chiefs, loose forward Sam Cane, lock Brodie Retallick and prop Ben Tameifuna are the three bolters, with young Canes pivot Beauden Barrett also making the grade (although his fullback mate, Andre Taylor, strangely does not).
There have been several high-profile exclusions too, including Zac Guildford, Hosea Gear, Jimmy Cowan, Jarrad Hoeata and Corey Flynn
All Black training squad:
Blues: Charlie Faumuina, Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.
Chiefs: Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna, Sonny Bill Williams.
Hurricanes: Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito.
Crusaders: Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock.
Highlanders: Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson.
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Oh my its a good team hope we come up with some great players which we have just needs to shape up a bit and start winning
Its a shame Richard Kahui will not be available after his shoulder injury..
Opens the door for Carter to play at 12 with Sonny Bill or Conrad Smith at 13 outside him, and give Cruden the 10 jersey.
Strange that there is no Robbie Freuan in there either?
Andre Taylor is a missing link yes, but he had no chance against Israel Dagg anyway, with Corey Jane able to cover fullback, and probably a first choice winger..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : I agree would have chosed Robbie Fruan over Ma’a Nonu on current form.
Any opinions on why Gear, Taylor and Matt Todd were left out?
What position does Brad Shields play?
@Caratacus (Comment 3) : He was another surprise ommission!! I also think TJ Parenara is better than Kerr-Barlow!!
@ChrisS (Comment 4) :
Gear is down the order in terms of wingers, there are a few that haven’t been selected in the team that are better anyway.
Taylor, same as above, too far down the list of players in his position to make the team.
Matt Todd and Richie McCaw play the same position, and with a few other loosies in better form and more likely to play, why select the guy..
@ChrisS (Comment 5) :
Kerr-Barlow has been in amazing form, I would not be surprised if he gets selected ahead of the much hyped Aaron Smith..
@ChrisS (Comment 4) :
Shields is a loose forward..
I’m surprised that Freuen and Andre Taylor didn’t make the cut.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : Thanks! I’ll have to look out for him this weekend to see what the hype’s about.
I’m not a Kerr-Barlow fan. Feel that he’s too hesitant at the breakdown!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : i beg to differ! tawera against the sharks was clueless and messed up plenty of scoring chances through him being indecisive!
aaron smith has had to play with FOUR FLYHALFS this year alone, which is disruptive! sopoaga, slade, noakes & delany!
he is “much-hyped” for valid reasons imo…go watch the game against the blues where the blues forwards targeted him with all manner of cheapshots and the kid took ALL of it with aplomb!
@Megatron (Comment 11) :
IMO,
I’m not saying the hype surrounding Smith is undue, all I am saying is that I would not be surprised to see Kerr-Barlow picked ahead of him.
You make valid points for Smith, which I agree with btw..
I’m just saying the Kerr-Barlow has come from nowhere and is on par with Smith so far this year..
Quite sure that Ellis will be first choice though..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) : i also expect ellis to start with smith on the bench…i don’t know why hansen picked piri – another Fat Boys Club – like we had here in SA with PdV.
@Megatron (Comment 13) :
The Piri selection has me scratching my head as well.
They have three other scrumhalves in the team, all in better form currently..
There is the chance that he will be selected as a cover for 9 and 10, but then they have three flyhalves in the group as well, all in much better form than Piri, who has seen no game time at 10 this year..
Very strange indeed…
I also can’t believe they didn’t pick Robbie and Tom Taylor.
@ChockyG (Comment 15) :
Welcome to the site!
@ChockyG (Comment 15) : barrett is more flash than taylor 😛