All Black Squad

Hayman's Beard casts a hairy eye over the All Black's World Cup Squad

Like most pundits, Hayman’s Beard was surprised to see Piri Weepu omitted from the All Black squad. It seems obvious that form wasn’t the only factor involved, otherwise he wouldn’t have been the only change.

We’re not convinced that picking Andrew Ellis was a good move, in fact it seems like a waste of a spot. He lacks the big game experience of others in the squad, and if you then accept that this makes him unlikely to figure in the sudden-death games, then why take him away? The argument about injury cover doesn’t stack up, as they are allowed to replace squad members under certain circumstances. So the Ellis choice is an odd one.

Otherwise pretty standard really. Whilst we’re a fan of Troy Flavell since his return from Japan, his exclusion does mean one less worry come finals time: that of Troy stabbing opposing player’s moments before fulltime in front of our own posts. His discipline in the past year has been much improved, but a fear remained that he could snap under pressure from opposition teams intent on niggling him. Rumours that he carries a gun onto the field are of course nonsense, but to lose a game due to Troy suicide bombing a maul would be a nightmare.

Ali Williams' inclusion now that he’s able to chew again is a welcome sight given our lineout woes at present. It remains our Achilles heel, and as we saw in the Bledisloe Cup game, it can be exploited.

Otherwise the forwards represent the pinnacle of the world game in our opinion, Victor Matfield not withstanding. Their ability around the park is beyond that of any other team in world rugby, and Hayman’s Beard was delighted to see the forward work put in at Eden Park last week. We all love watching Carter set the backline alight, with McAlister feeding the back three at speed to score another great try, but there is something amazingly satisfying in seeing a forward pack physically dominate their opponents. To see them driving through at ruck time, with pick-and-go play bulldozing through the defensive line, brings a smile to the face of all true rugby fans.
Sione Lauaki’s addition to the squad bolsters this style of play greatly, as well as spreading fear through other teams. Looking up after fielding a bomb to see Lauaki and Collins coming for you would be enough to make most fullbacks soil themselves.

Without a doubt, we have a squad capable of winning the World Cup. The Return of The Beard is the final piece of the puzzle of course, but from a talent point of view at least we can be confident of success come October.

All Black Squad:
Dan Carter, Jerry Collins, Andrew Ellis, Nick Evans, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore, Doug Howlett, Chris Jack,Byron Kelleher, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Luke McAlister, Richie McCaw (Captain), Leon MacDonald, Chris Masoe, Aaron Mauger, Keven Mealamu, Malili Muliaina, Anton Oliver, Keith Robinson,Josevata Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Reuben Thorne, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock