Unlocking the ABs selection puzzle

Rugbyheaven

Last updated 12:00 04/04/2008

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Where the heat will focus in 2008 Confronting Henry's greatest challenges Excuses that made us cringe The best man to back up Robbie Under-rated, but over-achieving Who can stop another ABs Slam? All Blacks tour: Nailing down the loosies Putting their hands up for the All Blacks Dingo Deans - cunning plan or lost cause? Where the ABs need to pick up their game

All Blacks coach Graham Henry reckons lock is his greatest selection puzzle right now as he gets set to start his next term in charge. We beg to differ.
Lock stock worries Henry

RugbyHeaven co-editors Duncan Johnstone and Marc Hinton put forward a couple of other areas where answers are yet to be found from this year's Super 14.

SECOND FIVE - Duncan Johnstone

I like the confidence Graham Henry is applying to the midfield but to me it still looms as a bigger problem area than lock.

I'd says he's got enough established international-class locking talent around in Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Troy Flavell and Ross Filipo to get by for now while the promising next tier is developed for the future.

But the midfield is another matter. There's no shortage of centres when you consider Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Casey Laulala and Ma'a Nonu have all played tests there and Richard Kahui is starting to hit his straps. There's also Mils Muliaina but please don't go there.

For goodness sake, it's just a matter of putting faith in someone - something they haven't been able to do since Tana Umaga quit.

As for the No 12 jersey, it's going to be a rookie or makeshift option whichever way you look at it.

Stephen Brett was making a good fist of the job until he was injured with a serious shoulder complaint. Now when he comes back into the Crusaders he's likely to be playing first five-eighths again, given that Dan Carter is going to be out of action for at least six weeks.

Benson Stanley is clearly a young man on the rise. He's a forthright attacker and a staunch defender. But whether he has some of the silky skills or the kicking game to be a test regular is still open for question.

Forget the options at the Chiefs and the Highlanders and the Hurricanes appear to be losing faith in Tamati Ellison.

All of which could mean Henry and his backs coach Wayne Smith might be forced into moving someone else there.

The versatile Toeava has potential at 12, Nonu has been tried there before with mixed results and, of course, there could be the temptation to move Carter out a place where he has played test rugby before and have him work in tandem with Nick Evans in the playmaker's role.

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So Henry is right - he isn't short of options at second five.

But with nothing cut and dried I'm not so convinced it's an easier selection than trying to find three or four locks right now.

Goodness me, there's even Reuben Thorne, the World Cup blindside/lock. Remember him?

TIGHTHEAD PROP - Marc Hinton

There are a number of areas that concern me just as much, if not more, than the second row. Top of that list is the No 3 jersey where there remains no clear successor to Carl Hayman.

I don't know if people realise how pivotal a figure Hayman was in the All Black engine room, but take it from me he is going to take some replacing. In fact among the current crop, there is no one with the qualities the Otago tighthead brought to the role.

Like so many of our top players, Hayman has been plucked from the All Blacks by the moneymen up north, and that leaves Graham Henry with a major hole to fill.

Who is there? Well, Crusaders veteran Greg Somerville is a solid operator who has plenty of miles on the clock; Neemia Tialata of the Hurricanes was being groomed as Hayman's natural successor; and then there's John Afoa of the Blues who's also been on the fringes for a year or two now. Highlander Clint Newland also has size and presence, but I doubt he's considered a test-quality No 3 at this stage.

Among that leading trio there is no clear favourite, and certainly no one whom you could say opposing loosehead props would fear, as they all did Hayman. Somerville offers perhaps the safe option, with his experience and Crusaders nous (and my spies tell me the NZRU has been forced into a rethink on Yoda's contractual future); Tialata probably has the most upside, though he hasn't produced exactly scintillating form over the first half of the Super 14, with suggestions he began the year in less than ship-shape; and Afoa is a dynamic sort of prop who has made some big strides in his scrummaging.

It's going to be an interesting call for Henry and Steve Hansen over just who gets the inside running as the first-choice tighthead, and will be just one of many big decisions they have to make over the next six or seven weeks.

The midfield remains a major worry for me, particularly the problem second-five spot. I can see them going with a stop-gap measure there if they decide neither Benson Stanley nor Stephen Brett is ready for test rugby just yet. Maybe Toeava, or maybe Carter.

Centre has been such a problem position I'd like to think they will make a decisive call and stick with it. To that end, providing he shows the right (injury-free) form over the second half of the Super 14, I'd like to see them usher in the time of Richard Kahui. The one thing I would urge about the No 13 jersey: leave Mils Muliaina at fullback. I don't care how well Leon MacDonald plays, that's no reason to upset the balance of your backline by moving a fullback to centre.

Lock? Yes, the continued absence of James Ryan is a blow, but I'm certainly not panicking while we have Ali Williams and Jason Eaton playing so well, and Brad Thorn around again to keep them honest. I don't know if Henry is able to bury the hatchet with Troy Flavell, but the Blues skipper surely still has a part to play and I'm certain both Tom Donnelly and Hoani MacDonald of the Highlanders would not disgrace a test callup.

Halfback is also a good little race, though Brendon Leonard's form with the Chiefs suggests he has hit the lead there.

The loose forward selection also intrigues me. Will the selectors persist with the Canes' so-called Bouncers, So'oialo, Collins and Masoe? Will they find room for a rejuvenated Jerome Kaino and Daniel Braid? And what of the enigmatic Sione Lauaki? Plus can Liam Messam rediscover his form to re-enter the picture? Plenty to ponder.

What do you think are the problem areas for the All Blacks selectors as they survey Super 14 form? Post your comments below in our new interactive feature.

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16 comments

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hayden #16 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

this would be my uncapped ab's team

1.jamie mackintosh 2.hikawera elliot 3.clint newlands 4.jeremy thrush 5.kevin o'neill 6.liam messam 7.adam thompson 8.nick williams 9.taniela moa 10.stephen donald 11.fetu'u vainikolo 12.benson stanley 13.richard kahui 14.lelia masaga 15.cory jane

16.ti'i paulo 17.ben may 18.hoani macdonald 19.kieran read 20.toby morland 21.stephen brett 22.anthony tuitavake

Number 7 #15 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Aren't we playing to win? While we can have a 50 man All Black squad in training, we should play the likes of Brad Thorn is last season or two, allow him to pass on his winning experience by putting him in camp with the likes of Issac Ross and Tom Donnely and Hoani MacDonald and where did Jay Williams who played so well for Auckland get too?

Messam and Kahui are stars and should be shown the opportunity - too often NZ mucks young talent around and somewhat kills it while Australia can take a green youngster and throw him in the deep end and grow a legend like Horan and Little, Gregan and Larkham, what do we lack in the leadership stakes that creates "The could be's" who flood the Japanese and European market?

horse eater #14 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

My first team is:

1-Tony Woodcock, 2- Corey Flynn, 3-Greg Somerville, 4- Ali Williams, 5-Jason Eaton, 6- Jerry Collins, 7-Richie McCaw, 8- Mose Tuialii, 9- Brendon Leonard , 10- Daniel Carter, 11- Joe Rokocoko, 12- Stephen Brett, 13- Casey Laulala, 14- Sitiveni Sivivatu, 15- Leon McDonald, 16- Kevin Mealamu, 17- Neamaia Tialata, 18- Brett Thorn, 19-Daniel Braid, 20- Andy Ellis , 21- Isaia Toeava, 22- Fetu'u Vainikolo

Kim #13 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

First - to Dave's comment that we should drop the international restrictions: If you drop that, then almost every single first-grade player is going to jump ship and the NPC and Super XV will suffer hugely for it - they'll become a non-event.

As for my team picks:

1 - Tony Woodcock 2 - Keven Mealamu 3 - Neemia Tialata 4 - Ali Williams 5 - Brad Thorn 6 - Jerry Collins 7 - Richie McCaw 8 - Rodney So'oialo 9 - Jimmy Cowan 10- Dan Carter 11- Josevata Rokocoko 12- * 13- Conrad Smith 14- Anthoni Tuituvake 15- Mils Muliaina

16- Greg Sommerville 17- Andrew Hore 18- Jason Eaton 19- Chris Masoe/Liam Meesam 20- Piri Weepu/Brendon Leonard 21- Nick Evans 22- Isaia Toeava/Ma'a Nonu

*I honestly can't pick a firm favourite for 12 - what the selectors and coaches are simply going to have to do is pick someone and keep them there - they showed how damaging it is to maintain a large scale rotation going on with centre by having played Conrad Smith, Casey Laulala, Ma'a Nonu, Luck McAlister, Mils Muliaina and Isaia Toeava all there - and yet never showing any real faith in any of them. A few players have got some real potential to be great 12s for the ABs, we just need to pick one and show some faith in them - Tamati Ellison, Tane Tuipolotu, Stephen Brett, Benson Stanley, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are all potentials - the former 4 would need to take a very big step up in their playing quality; the latter two would have to play out of the positions they've held all year. Moving DC is moronic - anyone suggesting it has learned nothing from the WC - everyone touted that Mils should move to centre, then when they did it - everyone carried on about how stupid it was. Rule: if an internal-quality player is playing well in their preferred position (be it fullback or pivot) LEAVE THEM THERE!!! Don't move them and "see what they can do". To that end, Conrad would move out of that frame - Ma'a has become more of a utility back (able to play 12, 13 or 14) than the specialist centre that he started out as. the former 4 mentioned would still need to step up, and they could really do with some lower-grade runs first - Tamati and Tane could do well with the NZ Maori this year - do Brett and Stanley have that option?

Finally - I read an article on a South African website by a guy who actually gets it: SUPER 14 FORM DOES NOT EQUAL INTERNATIONAL TEST FORM

Having an iffy Super season doesn't mean they should be written off - Ali Williams and Josevata Rokococko are massive cases in point. They had shocking super time last year compared to the other reconditioned ABs, Roko got periodically dumped from the 22 altogether and Ali was sent home from SA - yet these 2 guys are 2 of the half dozen or so ABs who came out of the WC with their reputations still intact.

T #12 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

1-Tony Woodcock,2-Andrew Hore,3-Greg Somerville,4-Ali Williams,5-Jason Eaton,6-Jerry Collins,7-Richie McCaw,8-Mose Tui'ali,9-Jimmy Cowan,10-Nick Evans,11-Joe Rokocoko,12-Daniel Carter,13-Isia Toeava,14-Lelia Masaga,15-Sitivene Sivivatu,16-Corey Flynn,17-Neemia Tialata,18-Kevin O'Neill,19-Daniel Braid,20-Brendon Leonard,21-Stephen Brett,22-Mils Muiliaina

Dave #11 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

New Zealand should drop the backward looking and parochial law that prevents overseas based players from representing the All Blacks. In the professional era the law is out-dated and it is detrimental to the All Blacks.

It is a tremendous thing for New Zealand rugby to have some of its senior players and coaches exposed to overseas playing conditions on a regular basis.

Drop the law and the prop, lock, 2nd 5/8 problems don't look as significant.

It is really bizarre that there is no debate about this in New Zealand.

glen #10 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Why is everyone trying to put the best first five in the world at second? It was obvious we didn't learn our lesson last WC, but it seems this penchant for mixing and matching is still prevalent from media to couch coaches. Put a specialist 2nd five in and try and develop him same with centre, as all we are getting from all this pissing around are jack of all trades master of none.

Ambrose #9 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Can Macintosh convert to TH, Kaino to 6, Collins/So'oialo to 8/19, Carter to 12, Mil's to 14. So my complete 22 would be;

1. Woodcock 2. Hore 3. Macintosh (if he can play otherwise Yoda) 4. Eaton 5. Ali 6. Kaino 7. Macaw 8. So'oialo 9. Leonard 10. Evans 11. Rokocoko 12. Carter 13. Kahui 14. Mils 15. Macdonald 16. Mealamu 17. Yoda (if macintosh can play 3 otherwise Tialata) 18. Brad 19. Collins 20. Cowan 21. Brett 22. Toeava

Alastair #8 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Why do people keep on touting Troy Flavell? He could be easily relied upon to get carded. Besides he's flown the white flag and is off back to Japan, clearly not an option. Williams, Eaton and Thorn are the obvious lock options. Kaino and Messam are putting their hands up for the 6 jersey. Both are hardworking and as good a ballrunner as Collins. They are lineout options and better defensively as neither seem to prefer the head high tackling technique. Braid has been going well and deserves a place in the squad.

As for the front row, Tialata was totally outplayed by Ben Franks in the Hurricanes Crusaders clash, only the Refs funny interpretation of a scrum saved him from complete embarrassment. Despite this I still beleive he will be the 3rd prop alongside Woodcock and Somerville. The 4th spot in the squad should go to one of the up and comers. Franks can cover both sides, while Ben May, Clint Newlands and Jamie Macintosh are promising specialists.

Clive #7 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

1-Tony Woodcock, 2-Andrew Hore, 3-John Afoa, 4-Ali Williams, 5-Jason Eaton, 6-Keiran Read, 7-Richie McCaw, 8-Sione Lauaki, 9-Brendan Leonard, 10-Nick Evans, 11-Joe Rokocoko, 12-Daniel Carter, 13-Richard Kahui, 14-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 15-Mils Muliania, 16-Keven Mealamu,17-Greg Somerville (can play both sides),18-Brad Thorn (late game grunt),19-Rodney Solialo,20-Piri Weepu (different game style to Leonard for late game impact),21-Conrad Smith,22-Leon McDonald (cover fullback and 1st five)

One of Collins or Solialo have to go. Both wont be around at the next world cup and neither offer lineout height or much variation in style of play. Steven Donald with the injuries and a return to form must now be the second in line first five with Carter out. Tialata is not dynamic enough for my liking and the must also soon be a place for Jamie Mackintosh. "Flash" must also be getting some drums beating on both defence and attack he is the up an comer this year.

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