KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Geoff Ward (Boston, USA)
Lauaki in. Weepu Out. It's good to see that the selectors took notice of such a devastating (Lauaki) ball carrier. When we hit the crunch matches of the quarter and hopefully the semi finals, it will be awesome to see him come on and start shredding the opposition tacklers. His form this year has been fantastic. The three wise men made a good choice. As for Weepu, tough break. It is all about form. It wasn't a good time to believe that tenure will help. Leonard played great rugby as the replacement half back. He showed explosive speed from the scrum and certainly surprised the defence during the Tri-Nations. Not sure Oliver should be there. His throwing during the last game against Oz dramatically declined and there were more steals at the throw. Thorne is always in the middle of the melee, plays a tight number 6 role and will be needed during the scrappy games. All-in-all, with this team we may have a chance to bring back the mug.
Joseblues
When all is said and done, the three wise men have made their selection and, pending on injuries through the Air NZ Cup, that's our team to go to France. Now's the time for us to just get on board and support these guys - all provincial biases aside - they're wearing the black jersey representing all of us. And a quick word on a great NZ provincial star - Jarrod Cunningham. Thoughts to his family and loved ones - we salute a real grass roots player who represented that all of us who have played rugby can only understand. So put it in perspective - get in behind this team and let's make France a tournament to remember. Go the ABs!
Dew
Go All Black selectors, drop all those Maori players. They are not worth putting into the ABs, coz they can't defend, can't attack, can't do much of anything. Get more players like Ruben Thorne who can line up, sign the anthem, do the haka, run to his position and run off at the end of the game. Thorne is so good he doesn't have to do anything to be selected, hell Lauaki and Ellis don't have to even play to get selected, so why bother about all the bull you selectors have been espousing since you started player selections for the World cup about picking form players. If the selectors are going to be consistent, they will need to drop McAlister and Hayman as well. Get rid of all those players that identify as Maori. Hayman only gets sent off and McAlister can't defend, come on selectors dump these two as well.
BT (Rotorua)
How long do we have to kick a dead horse? Anton Oliver cannot throw. I cannot believe that the coaches think they will get a different performance from him. The rest of the Rugby World Cup teams are now celebrating that they are guaranteed more All Black lineout ball! In fact they have a better chance at winning our line out ball than we do based on Anton's track record. I am also surprised at the lack of feedback from the public and journalists alike. Did they not see Saturdays 4 against the throw?
Junior (Auckland)
McCaw, Carter, Hayman, Sivivatu, Muliaina and Woodock would all be the best players in the world in their position, that must be a good omen that 6 of the starting 15 are world champions before the tournament begins. The All Blacks are too good at scrum time to be beaten at the World Cup. Despite an often failing lineout they win by dominating the scrum. It does and always will start and end there. Good bye George Gregan, you were a great servant to the game of rugby.
Mo (Auckland)
I really like the look of this squad. There is a good mix of youth and experience, and that ensures continuity for after the World Cup. (Just look at what happened to England). And as for those people bagging Anton Oliver's throwing at the lineout, you might want to have another look at what was really going on. The Aussies were closing the gap (and getting away with it) and also getting in front of our boys to nick the throw. The annoying thing is it took until half time for them to get it sorted. I think Lauaki's inclusion is great, tough call on Piri but his career is not over yet. Go the AB's bring it home!
Baz
There is no justification for selecting Thorne. He was useless at the last RWC and is even worse now. Flavell is much better. Can't understand that one. Henry isn't correct on that poor call. Andy Ellis is a little midget who like Thorne is also useless. If anything Jimmy Cowan should have got the nod. Marty Holah and Liam Messam are better then Masoe.
Chris (Wellington)
I am an ex-Wellington boy and still love the Canes but at the end of the day Ellis is better than Piri. The difference is in mental toughness and intelligence, even with Piri back that back line failed to fire under Piri and Gopperth, frankly I thought Piri was not looking likely for the Iveco series. They gave him a chance in the ABs, told him to hit his straps, but he failed to do so. He isn't mentally tough enough. Hard to say and a harsh criticism, but he could be truly great, if he would knuckle down. If he is truly tough he will stay a union player and work harder for the next World Cup. If he's not, he'll spit the dummy, most likely with Nonu, and go to league.
Kiwi in India
Piri has been hard done by being left out of the squad. I don't think either Piri or Byron, according to their own high standards, will have been happy with their play to date. In that regard the reconditioning programme seems to have been a bit of a mixed blessing. Either one could have been left behind. Brendon Leonard is a real find, and has had no problem adapting to test rugby (great game on Saturday against the ockers). Ellis is another quality halfback so the squad certainly won't be lacking there. Lauaki is a great choice. As others have said - when he is on form he is destructive and adds a different element to the team. Still, hard to go past the huge work rate that Soialo and Collins put into every game. That's the factor that differentiates them from all other loosies in NZ. Everyone looks great with the ball in hand, but its the work off the ball where Soialo and Collins are head and shoulders (with McCaw) above others.
H (Sydney)
Poor Weepu and Gear to the lesser extent Flavell for been left out of the WC squad. If Henry picking players on form why is Masoe, Byron, Thorne and Smith still there they are all playing below par? As for Ellis anyone one can shine against Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Ausi A and Samoa. Let's say Byron is injured for some unknown reason during the WC and it's semi-final time or final against France, South A or Australia is Henry going to put all of NZ's hopes on two halfbacks who have about 80mins game time between both of them.
My halfback rankings: 1. Weepu, 2. Leonard, 3. Byron, 4. Cowan, 5. Senior, 6. Ellis.
Reubs (Hamilton)
We complain about the SARFU and their quota system, yet we never seem to speak of the one that exists in NZ. We have an unspoken "White" quota. How else do you explain the selections of Thorne, Ellis, C. Smith and the soon to be Greg Sommerville. When have any of these players shown any sort of form at Super 14 level, let alone test level, recently. I'm not a fan of Flavell, Weepu, Nonu or Schwalger, but at least they have recent form from either Super 14 or tests. Piri Weepu didn't play great in any of the tests this year, but did anyone see how bad Kelleher was on Saturday? Troy Flavell was perhaps the NZ player of the Super 14. Schwalger was given one chance against Canada, Ma'a Nonu has been fairly average this year, but the man has played many games that he single handedly took over. Name the last/any time Conrad Smith did that, it's never happened. Once again, the Brown boys have to be a lot better that the White boys to get a chance, and sometimes that's not even enough. Thorne, Ellis, Smith and Somerville will play little or no part in the World Cup, but they will still get the rewards if we win, ahead of more deserving players, because they are white!
Pete.G
Congratulations to all players chosen. However I can't agree with R. Thorne over Troy Flavell, which brings me to the real point, P. Weepu has been dropped in my humble opinion on attitude, behavioural issues, not form. Ellis dosen't have awesome form either. Troy ,in my humble opinion, has the ability to rise to the occasion, the X factor, not to reliably plod thru the big event. But overall this can be a great AB side. To finish I think Peeri & Troy have been disciplined by the headmaster!
Gerald (Cardiff)
Reading your readers comments makes me wonder. Do you New Zealanders realise how lucky you are? To have such a depth of talent that great players such as Flavell, Gear, Weepu and the line destroyer Nonu, can be omitted is a coaches and should be a fans' dream. We in Wales always wanted at least twenty Welshmen in every Lions side that toured, as we always thought that our players were better than most of the other home countries players. Just as your provincial fans think of their players as being the best for the All Blacks. Your 'B' team would beat most international sides in the world so don't despair, be positive, rejoice in the fact that the cupboard is full and that the 'chef'[Henry] has, what he believes to be the correct recipe.
Jordan - Sold on most selections bar 2.
People can get emotional at different times and need to know when to control these emotions. Hence, Kelleher and the lack of control during the anthems. I am of the thought that he should have composed himself a little better and not let emotion get in the way of performance. Weepu should feel hard done by as he has been given all the signals over the last 18 months and has nothing to show for it now. Hope Weepu is able to stay positive for the rest of the season. Our heart goes out to you mate. Peace be the journey.
Lee Flea (Gold Coast)
Big call for Piri to go, if anything I would have said Byron was third, Piri and Leonard a close choice for starter. Our backs fire when they get good ball and Byron tries to do too much on his own taking options that should be Carter's. On what we have seen so far of Leonard he has all the attributes but it's easier too look good when you come on when everyone else is 60 minutes into it. I'm happy Lauaki is in and hoping they use him in the big games as No 8 to get some momentum off the back of the scrum. (Bring back Buck!) See you in Paris!
Nicko (Singapore)
Really tough on Weepu. He is a natural footballer and can even cover 1st five at a pinch, a quality that would see him included in most teams but not apparently these ABs with the likes of Evans, McAllister and Mauger. I like Thorne's selection. He's a players' player. Witness the Wallabies getting carved up a bit up the middle. Guys like Thorne stop that sort of thing because they know exactly what they're doing and concentrate. His line out is also very good, especially in the clutch. Masoe might consider himself lucky. Guys like Braid and Holah are technically superior and smarter players. Masoe must leave them for dead physically. Otherwise, can't account for it.
Rex Hapimana
Very good and largely predictable squad. The fact the likes of Weepu and Nonu are already talking going to league confirms their dedication to NZ rugby is lacking. Instead of getting back on the horse they've thrown their toys out of the cot. Where's their dedication to the Hurricanes, to Wellington, their clubs and oh yes, the NZRFU that has fed and clothed them with $200,000 salaries for years now? They're both young enough to make the 2011 RWC squad and I hope this league talk is just their initial disappointment at being dropped. I hope they both stick with rugby another year or so and then perhaps make a more thoughtful decision with clearer heads. And yes, Reuben Thorne is there for his experience off the field not his contribution on it, especially from the quarter-finals on.
Dyrell
I would certainly like to hear this announcement on TV, Radio or read in the newspapers:
All Blacks RWC News: (September edition)
The following players have been ruled out of the RWC due to injury:
1. Greg Sommerville - shoulder
2. Anton Oliver - cruciate ligament
3. Reuben Thorne - knee rapture
4. Byron Kelleher - ankle
5. Conrad Smith - hamstring
Wouldn't that be great! Then we wouldn't have to worry about their abysmal performance off field especially the third name on the list. And in the meanwhile, Graham and the selectors have announced that Schwalger, Tom Willis, Liam Messam, Weepu and Nonu have been called into the squad as an emergency backup to replace the injured players above. Anyway enough said, let's hope and pray none of the others get inured. My full support to the All Blacks at whatever cost. Go the All Blacks and bring Webb back to NZ where he belongs, my best wishes to the All Blacks.
Jimmy (London)
An excellent squad, and the squad that will win the world cup! All the bases are covered and the only surprise is Weepu being dumped, he will be kicking himself for being out late on Friday night. Lauaki, Masoe and Thorne are the right choices for loose forward backups as they offer ball carrier, fetching and lineout options respectively. Gear would make any other team in the world but no one can seriously say he deserves to be there instead of Doug, Joe or Siti. Fingers crossed Greg recovers in time as his experience and ability to play both sides is highly valuable. All Blacks 2007 Rugby World Cup champions!
Aucklander
What Henry and his side-kicks have done to Piri Weepu is just bloody cruel. How can you string a guy along so long (top 2 half backs for last 2 years and conditioning squad) and then just dump on him. I can only hope Piri can put it behind him and go and make more money in the UK or go and play league. He'll walk in to the Kiwi's where his natural talents won't be stifled as they have been in rugby. He's the most naturally gifted halfback since Bachop but he's been turned into a Canterbury robot. Smith and Hansen have obviously influenced Henry in to picking Ellis over Weepu and also including Rueben Thorne. These guys are average at best and if it comes down to having them play in a semi or final at the WC they won't let him down. They will be average. You have to have guys with the X factor (Weepu, Flavell, Gear) to win a WC. This team is suddenly starting to take on 2003 similarities.
Mrammaji (Auckland)
It is not fair to keep Kelleher and reject Wipu for so-called form reasons. Many players are not picked on form as Henry claims including Lauaki, Smith, Somerville and the far from impressive Kelleher. Ellis did not prove himself yet at test level so throwing him in a World Cup campaign cannot be justified. And that Ruben Thorn. If he is consistent in anything it must in doing nothing except for winning few of our own lineouts. Whatever Flavell showed in the last month was way better than Thorne's best performance year around. Last World Cup everybody thought he was not up to the task s a player and a captain and we were proven right the hard way. As they say "The shame is not in doing mistakes. It is in repeating them".
Kiwi Tongan
Great to see Lauaki in there, we need that intimidation factor. The World Cup will come down to physical and mental toughness, we have to be confident not only when we win, but when we are behind so we don't panic. I'm sick of seeing the ABs get pushed around (1999 vs France, 2003 vs Australia), seeing us crumble and take the cheap shots. Rugby is a disciplined confrontation. Let's have the leaders give out that confidence and hardness on the field. The South Africans were physically dominating the ABs for a while in the Tri-Nations opener, they just ran out of gas and they will be fitter next time so let's not rely on the magical last 20mins. Let's see some pride, let's see the never say die spirit that the black jersey deserves.
John Butcher
Whatever squad Graham Henry puts together is going to be the one to beat in France. There is no doubt the All Blacks will come over here to Europe as the favourites to win the RWC - but that happens every time, doesn't it, and so far its just one win (way back in '87). Why is that when the AB's have been the most consistent side in world rugby for all of that time? As an England supporter it's been interesting to see in the Tri-Nations that NZ haven't played that all that well in some of the games, although the last performance vs The Wallabies, in a drenched Eden Park looked convincing in the second half at least. You have the best pack in world rugby at the moment, but somehow the fluency of attacks from the backs isn't quite there. The teams to beat? Well the French are going to be a handful on home soil for sure, and the 'Boks will truly believe they can beat anyone. The Aussies will be dour, and difficult to beat as usual, but the money's on the All Blacks (but watch out for those 'Boks). As for the defending champs, well a quarter final place will be acceptable. We're rebuilding, looking forward to 2011, and a final at Eden Park!
Jonnyboy71 (London)
Lauaki looks to me like a selectorial solution to a tactical problem. NZ, including So'oailo and Collins, have been running laterally and not committing defenders like they should be - Australia kept the ABs out for something like 110 minutes and restricted them to a try a game. My question is why wasn't Lauaki given more of a run in the 3N? Both Australia and SA (in SA) coped fine with NZs self-proclaimed supermen in the loose and the half-backs weren't allowed to threaten. It'll be same in the Paris semi-final and, if NZ make it, the final - probably against the Boks. If I was a Kiwi, I'd be very nervous about the lack of penetration against sides who have caught on and caught up, and thinking my midfield was undercooked - McAllister and Toeava? Not this year. Oh, and Rico Gear has been playing better than Howlett and gives more round the field, although less in defence. You'd better pray that none of Mils, Hayman, McCaw or Carter gets injured. It's that tight.
Alibnz
I haven't read all the other messages, but enough to get a flavour. The droppings - agree. Both players have been uninspiring. Although there are a couple of others in the team that should go as well - Masoe, Smith & Schwalger. Two guys that have played awesome this year, but continue to get overlooked - Mose Tuiali'i & Anthony Tuitavake. Mose was, along with Andrew Ellis, the best player on the Junior's rampage through the Pacific. I play a game called Testrugby.com (a stats based fantasy rugby game) and he was the top-ranked loose forward. Not only that he can play #8, blindside and lock. Tony has been one of the form centres in the Super 14 & Air NZ Cup for the past couple of years. He has also done well for the Juniors while playing out of position (on the wing). Finally, we'll do to the Tri-Nations team, and I guess so far we have to go with Henry's rotation system, but I still feel our top side needs some more game time together before the knockout stage in the world cup.
Sam (Timboon Victoria)
Congratulations to Henry and his team and the AB's. I don't think the selectors will regret the squad picked whichever way it goes in the WC. The idea of Lauaki in the squad seems that the go-forward will always be there for the AB's. It will be interesting to see Lauaki starting at No.8 and bringing in Sooialo for the last 30 mins, especially in the expected tight games. It makes Masoe to work really hard, because Sooialo can cover No.7 & 8. Masoe hasn't provided that killer punch he is supposed to have. I thought he is the lucky one not to have missed out. The team now seems to be in good shape and balance, and needs not dwell on the last game but to move on and prepare for game after game. The team should never fall prey to complacency. Take each game as it comes, and this unit can go for a fair number of years without being defeated. Good luck to Henry and his team and the boys.
Rafas Reds
There are a lot of misinformed and unsubstantiated opinions posted already, so I'll add my own. Flavell has been in decline since the end of the Super 14. Lauaki and Rupert Thorne offer 2 better options, one is a good impact player that can get us going forward and the other is stoic in defence and is reliable, makes very few mistakes. Remember, defence will win us the cup, not a midfielder like Nonu that can't tackle. Piri Weepu was a bit of a surprise. I personally think his attitude had a lot to do with his being dropped. And that will be highlighted by his switch of codes, that's the easy road for him, and he will take it.
Robert Lyford
Wake up All Black selectors, this seems to happen every world cup so far as selection is concerned. Where do I start. Luaki in maybe ok, Ellis - sorry mate but forget it, even though Weepu form has dropped off. What about Byron's form if that was the main selection criteria? (Sorry doesn't wash with me.) Rueben Thorn, well passed use by date. Now get me on to my pet player: Anton can't-throw-the-ball-into-a-line-out-Oliver. For Christ sake, wake up and smell the roses. How long will this buffoon go on costing us vital possession and position in major games, we keep him in because he's a good scrummager? Jeeps I reckon I could scrummage between Woodcock and Haymond and not upset it too much. I have been watching All Black rugby for just on 40 odd years and absolutely positively cannot believe that Oliver is in the team. We also should have taken two specialist open side flankers and left out the extra half back, Masoe is not a world class open side, oops or that no.8, oops or is that blind side flanker, please do me a favour.
Bondie
Disgraceful side. Not picked on form. Thorne, Ellis, Lauaki, C.Smith, Oliver, Hore, Leon Mcdonald, and a couple of others haven't earned the right ahead of form players like Flavell, Weepu, whitcombe, flynn, kaino, Holah, Braid, Tuitavake. We have gone backwards big time with Thorne, Oliver. As for no Weepu we only have one experienced half back. Thorne over Flavell biggest joke of all. We won't win thanks to Hansen and Smith. Well done, you've destroyed our game, bring on the NPC.
Joost
Doug Howlett - what is he doing there instead of Rico Gear? Gear is far more of a threat, been in better form and can cover at centre. He has more talent and all round skill whereas Howlett's hands let him down, he gets stood up easy, and is one dimensional. One of Henry's boys methinks. Was given enough chances to prove himself - and in the end wasn't that great or fantastic anyway! Rico missed one tackle against the Ozzies but McCaw and Jack missed him as well. Sorry I can't see why or how Doug Howlett got back in. Certainly can't have been on form! Oh yeah - he made one spot tackle. At least South Africa, Australia and the others wont have to worry about Doug Howlett being a threat.
Joseph, Kiwi
No Suz, they got dropped because they went out and got on it until 10 o'clock in the morning when they should have been resting. As an example Sivivatu got injured just recently, which meant Joe R got the last minute call up and the same thing could have happened on the weekend. BTW, you know Cantabs get the favourable treatment, why else would Reuben Thorn get called back to play?
WOJ (Brisbane)
The balance isn't right with the team, and never has been since the 3 selectors took over. If dropping Weepu, Gear, Flavell, is the answer to bringing home the Cup, well I will be surprised if they do. I've never been a fan of Henry and Smith, The other dude should have been sole selector and coach, but honestly if you think we are going to win, well you fellas over in NZ are going to be so depressed and listening to Anton Oliver's comments of "she'll be right mate" on the Radio this morning. Just worries me about the All Blacks state of mind and their attitude if they don't win the cup: it's only a game. Hey, that's why we haven't won it for 20 years cos you fellas haven't got the mongrel in you. The only one who does is not going, and that's Flavell
Papakura
Oh my gosh I thought Piri went out on the town? Mr Henry are you sure it was not you? Why is it NZ we just start getting the best of the best players and then what the hay we get a new line up come on guys first Cullen then Spencer now Weepu. What's going on? What head are you thinking with? Surely not the one that sits on your shoulders. Go hard Piri. Go play league and show Henry what your made of and while your there looking at your new contract you might want to take along Gear and the rest of the ones that never made it into the ABs. As for Ellis, don't get too happy just when you think that your in, you'll be cut and on the sideline with the rest of the players.
Kiwiann1
I don't think it really matters who was picked in the team - I still don't think we are going to win the cup. We should have got rid of Graham Henry along time ago. I can't remember the last time I got really excited about an All Black performance. Probably when Sean Fitzpatrick was playing. There seems to be something missing from the modern All Black teams. They seem to be more concerned with their hair styles rather than their playing. We win games - how I don't know sometimes but they are not exciting, something to jump up and down about wins. Where has their wow factor gone? Where is a captain who can rev the team up when they are down? McCaw gives away too many penalties. Oz will win the cup and why? Because the whole team sings the national anthem and they just believe in themselves a whole lot more than NZ does. I hope they don't but please All Blacks don't leave me feeling they way I did after the last World Cup semi final. I was devastated. I have never felt the same way about the ABs ever since.
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