I DON'T often delve into the murky world of sports comment.
Stick to your onions, they say.
Although I do have a minor sporting pedigree.
I played first-five for the Kamo High School First XV during one of
the team's worst seasons on record, and I also toyed with athletics
as a youngster.
Oh yes, I came second in the senior 100m at Kamo High one year.
All of which qualifies me to write with some authority on the All Black
World Cup rugby squad announced yesterday.
As a former winger (Kamo Ds, 1990-something) my heart goes out to
specialist wings Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu. One-on-one, I'd back
both over Zack Guildford (who made it) every time.
Injury has put Gear out of a few games this year, and seems to have halted the momentum he
enjoyed at the end of last season. Looking at the squad, it seems that the selectors are not worried
about specialists in their back three. Converted wingers and fullbacks abound, starting with
Mils Muliaina _ a converted winger.
Rugby is no longer a game where the players on the flanks are
expected to be the quickest on the field. Neither is league, as the Warriors
recent standout, Shaun Johnson, has demonstrated.
What surprises me though, is that in rejecting a specialist such as
Gear, the selectors have retained a one-trick pony such as Sonny Bill
Williams.
It seems there is less depth at second-five, than wing/fullback. In fact,
spot quiz, name the third best second-five in the country. Not easy, is it?
Other talking points within the squad are Colin Slade _ who scraped
in ahead of the in-form Aaron Cruden and the late inclusion of Anthony
Boric, who proved he had overcome injury to make it. Could he, though,
become the Andy Dalton of the 2011 squad?
The squad was announced live on television after the players had been
told who was in and out. A far cry from the corner bar of Whangarei's
Grand Hotel in 1987 when it was announced live.
Just one final thing to say about the 2011 squad, who will bid to win the
Cup in their home country _ good luck.
