Lachlan Boshier in action for Taranaki in October. Photo / Andy Jackson / www.photosport.nz
Lachlan Boshier in action for Taranaki in October. Photo / Andy Jackson / www.photosport.nz
Comment: Many rugby fans are up in arms about the All Blacks not selecting Lachlan Boshier after his form throughout 2020 but with the depth that is New Zealand rugby it is understandable.
It isn't new. The likes of Liam Messam missed out on selection due to Jerome Kaino, VictorVito, Kieran Read and Adam Thomson competing for the loose forward roles.
Messam's day did come though and he represented New Zealand in 43 tests.
The depth of the loose forwards in New Zealand is probably a lot more so than any other country in the world.
Although we have only five Super Rugby teams, there are at least 68 loose forwards who have previously been selected for Super Rugby squads or higher representative sides.
Mitch Jacobson, Brendon O'Connor and Mateaki Kafatolu went to Japan to play for the Sunwolves this year because they didn't receive a Super Rugby contract in New Zealand.
Below is the crop of loose forward players in New Zealand rugby - several aren't eligible for All Blacks selection but there is still a wide pool.
Chiefs' flanker Lachlan Boshier was a standout for the struggling side. Photo / Photosport
Taranaki and Canterbury have the most selected for representative sides followed closely by Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Wellington and Bay of Plenty.
