By WYNNE GRAY
Now the real guessing game begins as New Zealand tries to sort out the players who will join new captain Todd Blackadder in the All Blacks' opening test against Tonga.
The announcement of the 26-strong squad yesterday confirmed the captaincy direction most felt coach Wayne Smith would take, while any list of borderline choices or discards would not be extensive.
After three months of Super 12, most candidates became obvious, though the greatest difficulty remained in the midfield choices. Smith agreed there was a surplus of talent and variety to choose from.
Eventually, three players, Pita Alatini, Alama Ieremia and Mark Robinson, were chosen, with Tana Umaga or Leon MacDonald there to be used if necessary.
MacDonald plays fullback and utility for the Crusaders, where he swaps with Andrew Mehrtens for certain plays. The panel have eyed MacDonald's allround qualities for some time and decided he is the best backup fullback.
He will also cover midfield, which left other candidates like Mark Ranby, Jason O'Halloran and Daryl Gibson without a place.
"There was a lot of options. We have gone for players who have power and put a lot of pressure on the opposition, both defensively and attacking-wise; who have vision and complementary skills," said Smith.
In the forwards, an "unluckies" list might include Greg Feek, Koula Tuliko, Paul Miller and Filo Tiatia.
The selectors had made most of their decisions before the playoffs and those matches just reconfirmed their earlier assessments. There had been little late tinkering even after the pulsating Super 12 final.
"It was good to reconfirm some things with a team playing under that sort of pressure and to see the hearts beating under the breasts, it was really important for us. But the only thing that was going to change our selection was injury," said Smith.
The list of discards from the last World Cup is quite extensive. Those who went to that tournament and have missed selection in this squad include Jeff Wilson, Glen Osborne, Gibson, Carlos Spencer, Rhys Duggan, Dylan Mika, Andrew Blowers, Robin Brooke, Ian Jones, Royce Willis, Feek and Bruce Reihana.
In working his way through questions about his squad, Smith revealed there had been little doubt amongst the panel about Blackadder's promotion to skipper. He had stood out as a player and leader and would take the best side the selectors thought necessary to play Tonga.
Picking that team will be difficult. However, there were a few pointers.
While the panel had been interested in seeing how Umaga went at centre for the Hurricanes, they were happy to have him as a wing for the start of the international schedule.
The other wing might not be so definite. Doug Howlett had made it on form ahead of another young player, Caleb Ralph, while the selectors had not seen enough of Jonah Lomu. Injury, then suspension, had curtailed his season, but before he was sent off against the Waratahs, he had shown great "vibrancy and enthusiasm."
Since then, he had also shown a lot of character by travelling to South Africa, playing club rugby and, yesterday, for the Barbarians in the UK. But he still had a lot of work to do.
The "work rate and nous" from Robinson had impressed, his average of five breaks a game was a significant statistic and he also found his supports well.
In the pack, there was utility from some, like former skipper Taine Randell and Scott Robertson, while assistant coach Tony Gilbert was sure there were enough lineout targets in any pack they chose.
A huge season has promoted Greg Somerville at tighthead prop, where his form and fitness will make it tough for incumbent Kees Meeuws, who has an injury.
There was plenty of utility among a wide group of specialists, and the task of the All Black selectors would be to further assess the players, and how they would fit in to the proposed game plans, at the opening training camp in Palmerston North starting this weekend.
THE ALL BLACK SQUAD:
Backs: Leon McDonald, Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Doug Howlett, Jonah Lomu, Mark Robinson, Andrew Mehrtens, Tony Brown, Pita Alatini, Alama Ieremia, Byron Kelleher and Justin Marshall.
Forwards: Ron Cribb, Taine Randell, Scott Robinson, Josh Kronfeld, Reuben Thorne, Todd Blackadder, Norm Maxwell, Troy Flavell, Craig Dowd, Carl Hoeft, Kees Meeuws, Greg Sommerville, Anton Oliver and Mark Hammett.
Rugby: First test teaser for All Blacks
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.