Dare I say it - how about a few games of Possibles vs Probables (or North vs South) before WC, thats if the matches can be fitted in ? It's not a problem picking a side now but you have to take into consideration loss of form,injury etc. and have enough good seasoned players ready to go when needed. Lets have some of these types of games to see how ALL the players match up against each other as a starting point. The AB's at the moment are not far off their best and it only takes maybe a handful of players to turn the tide. Good start last Saturday !! Cheers

We're way too far out at the moment.

Unless Brad gets injured, he'll make it to 2011 no problems. The man is a class act who does more work around the paddock than anyone.

I agree with Johno about those names listed... people like Bekhuis, John Hardie, Haywood, Joe Wheeler, Robbie Robinson, look out for them if they can manage some solid Super14 rugby. I don't rate Hika Elliot tho, he's gotta tighten his game up.

Havnt we been fortunate in this years Air NZ Cup to see such raw and exciting talent to emerge. Ranger Dagg Guildford Elliot Haywood Bourke Cruden Fruen Wheeler Hardie Bekhuis Robinson and the numerous youngsters the Canterbury factory continues to produce. whether we see many of these players on tour remains to be seen. My bolter for this years tour being Rob Fruen in the centers and maybe the likes of John Hardie in the loose forward mix, he looks to be a very quality flanker in the near future.

my 2011 team being: Woodcock Hore Hayman Ross Williams Thompson McCaw Reed Cowan DC Sivi Nonu Smith Gear/Jane Mills.. Elliot Franks Thorn Hardie Leonard Robinson Gear/Jane

Let's hope that NZ is open minded enough not to be blinded by the fact that Aussie were DREADFUL and that one of the spots "up for grabs" is still Henry's.

To all you people picking teams for 2011 there is an abundance of talent getting around.Whether some of these guys play super 14 or not it comes down to how they are coached and managed.Our talent pool is better than any country besides South Africa.I hate to get on the bandwagon again but it comes down to game plans and direction.Something we have not got under Henry and co.If they are picking thier team now we are pretty much gone before we start.

1.Franks 2.Elliot 3.Woodcock 4.Ross 5.Williams 6.Thompson 7.McCaw 8.Vito 9.Leonard 10.Carter 11.Gear 12.Nonu/McAlister 13.Kahui/Toeava 14.Masaga 15.Jane

nice!

I am convinced this is part of the downfall of NZ rugby, the Super 14 and only looking at these players, that is dumbing down the importance of NZ's NPC what happened before S14 when this level was good enough to step up to be the best AB's in the world. Now you restrict yourself to only looking at 5 players for one position, what happens where a team like wgtn which feeds of a some good NPC sides doesnt promote a player because they prefer an older incumbant. An opportunity lost especially if they get peeved off and leave the country. Henry dont dumb down the best local competiiton in the world.

I`m pleased to see an AB win,but that doesn`t explain the crap performances prior to last Saturday.Was it the coaches or the players who fronted up?I feel that it was the players.I`m concerned over the lack of new blood being introduced.I hope the 32-34 squad for end of yearis not full of those who will struggle to still be an effective force in 2011.I also notice that Henry has not batted an eyelid when stating a squad of 32-34.More money being spent on what will be called the start of World Cup preparation.Less money being spent on Air NZ and Heartland rugby.I`m still not convinced!!

AB'S need services of experience and class of ALI WILLIAMS, CHRIS JACK, HAYMEN, ARON MAUGER , possibly even JEERY COLLINS as they may not be TOO OLD as many presume. LOOK AT ENGLAND when they woin the world cup in 2003, average age had bben aroound 29-30 , if not mistaken.

..this is why the AB's choke during RWC; overconfidence. Which other team have u heard already selecting 'the Squad' a clean 2 seasons out based on a single game against poor opposition?