KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Danis (Auckland)
I can't help but think there is more to the Weepu story then the public knows. There must have been internal problems with attitude or discipline to drop him from the squad. No one saw this coming
Steve
Agree 100 per cent with selections - great to see Lauaki and Ellis in. This is the squad that will do the business - Go the ABs!
Mike
Bravo! To the All Blacks coaches and selectors!! I now have no doubts that the All Blacks have the strongest team possible to take to France and reclaim the Webb Ellis trophy. Lauaki has been always been a real force and would provide the extra edge to an already super-powered forward pack.. Ellis also deserves the recall as Weepu in my opinion has been looking 'lazy' a bit... again .
Lorenzo Seiuli
The selection is pathetic. It's almost like Thorne was going to be part of this squad no matter what happened. He had his chance in the second test against a second string Springboks and showed nothing, he was outdone by his opposite. Nuff said. Troy, came back and to me, show enough in the S14, but they choose Thorne, Ellis over Weepu? you're kidding me, this kid hasn't played enough games. and how can Henry say Smith was not chosen for the Bledisloe decider coz he hadn't played enough games this year yet get the nod ahead of Nonu (who's a destructive player) or Rico Gear. An Lauaki, hasn't been an AB since Moses built the Ark and here he is ahead of Flavell, Braid, Holah like, should I go on?If the 6 players who where no in the ABs on Saturday are being punished for going out, I just need to ask, when is their private lives private. Coz I cannot fathom how going out for the evening breaking AB rules when I thought when your not at work, you can do your own thing.
Go the Wallabies. Unfortunately Henry and Co have pulled the last straw with me.
Sam (Sydney)
How many attempts do you give someone? Weepu must have been on the verge of being dropped prior to the Trinations, good on the selectors for finally ridding the team of him, I would have thought Cowen would have replaced Weepu on form but that was not to be.Thorne is a good choice over Flavell, Flavell is a lock who can just cover a loose forward role where as Thorne has shown he is a handy loose forward who can cover lock very well. More importantly Thorne is a man who inspires his fellow players, which can't be said about Troy (give the penalty) Flavell. We are struggling at the lineout but if we can get refs that pull the other team up for attacking players in the air and not throwing straight we should have no problems. Isn't it funny that Jake White says that defence will win the world cup and now the AB's have gone two games without conceding a try whilst scoring points (NZ +41, Aust - 4, SA minus heaps).
Cordaog (Christchurch)
Hey gutted Rico, he provides more options and stays on his feet better then Doug. Sorry for Weepu, but big ups for my mate Andy Ellis. By the way Eliis has the best pass out of all our halfbacks,which will obviously give Dan the man more time at 10, which can only be good for all of us.The biggest problem is Rico and Weepu were are best haka leaders.
Den (Muriwai Beach)
Based on performance then I totally agree with Graham Henry. He has picked what he considers the team that will bring the cup back to NZ. Fingers crossed!
As for being ambassadors for NZ then you would think that all of the players picked understand that they have been picked to play rugby not socialise. If I was a hopeful contender to be an All Black then I certainly would be keeping my head down and getting stuck in to make sure that whatever ever I did, increased my chances of selection. Perhaps those that went night clubbing on Thursday night now regret doing so!
Herman Oudhoff
I can't understand the selection of Andrew Ellis ahead of Jimmy Cowan for the world cup squad. Yes Piri Wepu is out of form and that was evident throughout the super 14 whereas Jimmy Cowan was the most inform halfback during the competition. The three halfbacks chosen all have a very similar style of game compared to Cowan. I think Cowan offers a different style especially when it comes to his defensive qualities.
Bill
I agree with all selections except one. After watching Byron Kelleher fumble and bumble his way through 2 games against Australia, I felt he should have been omitted from the team. He is too slow and can't keep up with the play anymore. Look at the difference it made in last nights game when Leonard came on, good quick ball and always up with the play. Ellis will bring this same approach to the team. My order for half backs of the 3 would be 1. Leonard, 2. Ellis, and a distant 3rd Kelleher. Other than that it is a great team.
Mark Smith
Difficult to picture why Marty Holah, one of the best 3-4 openside flankers playing the game should be overlooked in place of Chris Masoe who isn't even one of the best 3-4 opensides, number 8s or blindside flankers in the country. Positions 6 and 8 are adequately covered by Thorne and Lauaki, but if McCaw goes off against quality opposition, the All Blacks could pay dearly.
Tuaman (Tokoroa)
Thorne's in, Ellis is in, Smith's in give me a break, Smith and Ellis haven't played for ages and Thorne is just plain useless! Henry and Co can be dropped next I'm not even gonna bother watching the All Blacks. Go the mighty Vodafone Warriors! (Oh, that's right you're a rugby newspaper ay.) 3 pages about rugby and then squeeze in a bit of everything else where ever you can, written by Jafa's for Jafa's!
Brian
None of the six players who were out after midnight, as mentioned in the Sunday Herald, have been selected. If their non-selection is due to current form, then so be it. If it is because they were out after midnight then I commend the selectors and those who made the decision. If this is the reason we can only hope that lessons will be learned.
Harry L (Waitakere City)
First of all congrats to the Wallaby team, who proved they will be contenders for the Cup, when a month or so ago most people had written them off. Happy to see Doug and Leonard make the team both seem to have worked very hard for their places. Saw Thorne interviewed on TV last night and he said he knew he was very lucky to make the team. I'd have to agree.
G
If Weepu was not selected because of form, then how does Graeme Henry explain the selection of Thorne and Mauger? Reuben Thorne has lacked form for about six years, and Mauger is already thinking about how to spend the money he's going to be making when he leave New Zealand.
Soane Lino
I have told my families and friends if Lauaki not selected for the World Cup I'll go for the Boks, but now I certainly go 2 feet for the All Blacks. Perfect Selection! And all the best. Go All Blacks go!
TD from HK
Predictable selections but there is no need for 3 halfbacks, take Gear or Nonu, or 3 hookers - take Flavell. And with Lauaki there is no need for Masoe - take a proper No 7, like Holah. The injuries have happened at lock/loose forward and in the centres this season. Henry is too slow in adapting his thinking. Ellis would rank at least 6th on current form and despite the promotion by his supporters he is still way below Leonard in potential and form.
Vic (Perth)
Disappointing that Thorne who has shown nothing was selected instead of Flavell who has played pretty well this season. Thorne has no form at all. Agree that Weepu has been out of form and it is good to see a damaging ball carrier like Lauaki picked. He will cover No. 8 if Soialo is injured. Can't see how room can be made for Sommerville who has not played at all this season. As always I will supporting the ABs at the WC. However am gutted that Flavell was dropped.
Ana (Auckland)
Happy with squad, big fan of Lauaki so great to see him there. Definitely a squad to take the cup. All the best to Graham, Richie and the boys.
Woo, Welly i te whare
What happened to the Piri-meister? Andrew Ellis who? Maybe Graham should have his eyes 'reconditioned' too.
Izako
No big surprises really, although one has to feel for the players who lost out. I am a big fan of Rico Gear and Troy Flavell but we don't lose anything with Doug - Reuben can consider himself lucky though. The guys staying behind must not lose heart as injuries can quickly change some fortunes around. Let's give our boys every bit of support as they do battle for the Cup.
Phil
Pretty much as expected the only question being was Conrad Smith selected purely to hide the fact that last Thursday's late night binge was a bunch of coulda-beens drowning their sorrows after being told they hadn't made the cut? If so Smith is one lucky young chook who should keep his head down and pray for the opportunity to justify his selection on other, more talent based criteria.
Stephanie Davis
I am sad not to see Weepu named in the lineup. Given his versatility and strength, I believe he would have been an easy choice over Andrew Ellis. Is this his punishment for being of such versatility that he was played at no.10 by Colin Cooper in the super 14?
Awesome10 (Auckland)
Reuben Thorne or Troy Flavell? Surely a rip off. What has Reuben done that exceeds Troy's attacking flair?
Rosco
Surely Rico Gear is a better option than Doug Howlett. People forget how well he goes at centre too in the event that Toeava falls over. Hore was lucky ahead of Corey Flynn who played very well for the juniors.
Cam
I think Flavell and Weepu, Flavell in stead of Thorne and Weepu instead of Leonard.
Kiwiruz (Hawaii)
Huge mistake choosing Rueben Thorne over Troy Flavell, I just don't see what is so great about Thorne. He is never a standout. Flavell is an enforcer, he's big powerful and a great ball carrier. I have noticed that Piri Wepu has been off his best lately but can at least see Henry's point in this case. Also I'd rather see Rico Gear over Doug H. Whatever - just win AB's.
Rahera
What happened to Rico? He only missed one tackle! The same guy also eluded Richie and Chris Jack, they were still named!
EB (Brisbane)
Team sounds about right except I can't understand about Ellis - complete tosser. Hopefully he is only there for the experience - he just doesn't appear to have it! What did he have to do to get a spot?
Hendrix
Yes, good decisions. This squad will do it easily.
Vitz (UK)
One important name is missing - Tana Umaga. 13 is our weakness - expect Mortlock, O'Driscoll, de Villiers and co to target that area.
Waz
Three hookers, three locks, three halfbacks and three wings. Wrong mix. We need more locks and wings than we do halfbacks and hookers. Rico Gear and Troy Flavell should have been selected instead of Ellis and Hore.
Andy (Melbourne)
Good squad - my only concern is that I don't think Masoe can adequately cover for McCaw or So'oailo. In the event that McCaw is injured, I'd rather see Collins move to 8 and Holah at 7.
Michael Lane (Whakatane)
What have the selectors been smoking? Piri Weepu out of form is still much better then Ellis. There must be something else going on.
Terry
Why Ellis? Surely Weepu or Cowan deserve a place ahead of Ellis. Also Holah ahead of Masoe in my opinion.