Editorial: Cup squad means more power to Bay

The All Blacks players after the RWC 2015 squad announcement at Parliament, Wellington.

One quick response after the naming of the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad last night was: it's good for Hawke's Bay.

A question of values and loyalties it was, possibly the most awaited All Black team naming ever. But the reality is that in the 31-man team named last night the only player who had appeared for the Magpies in any of their defences of the Ranfurly Shield over the 365 days since it was won against Counties Manukau was prop Ben Franks, a Canterbury lad who's played just three games for Hawke's Bay, spread over three seasons.

There was some jaw dropping when it was realised Israel Dagg was out - and Sonny Bill Williams, and Colin Slade, were in. How could that be? Of seven players who have played for the Magpies and who on the strength of having played for the All Blacks appeared to have been in with some sort of show, lock Brodie Retallick was possibly the only dead cert.

The beauty of this is that such is the depth the Magpies now enjoy, Hawke's Bay fans can look forward to having two trophies in the cabinet at the end of the year, the Shield at McLean Park, and the Cup at NZRFU headquarters.

Smiles all around, depending how one fancies the ABs' chances now that all the secrets are out.

On current form the Magpies may also have another title chance in the ITM Cup Championship, with the All Blacks' selectors having certainly done the Bay a favour by leaving its current significant provincial team firepower largely intact.

It puts focus back into our footy - don't dare mention amalgamation - and next Sunday the Magpies, presumably with Izzy, will be able to go out to concentrate on their 59th win in Ranfurly Shield match history, moving ahead of Waikato and behind only Auckland (158 wins) and Canterbury(140). It's hard trying to keep perspective, but there will be those who say that's what really matters.