KEY POINTS:
Jay Riechelmann
Starting 15:
Hayman, Mealamu, Woodcock, Jack, Williams, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo, Weepu, Carter, Gear, McAllister, Toeava, Sivivatu, Muliaina.
There would be good cover in the 'Starting 15' which reflects in my 'Reserves': (McAllister could play first five if carter got injured, Sivivatu or Toeava could play fullback if Muliaina injured, Muiliaina could play wing if winger injured, Muliaina could play centre if Toeava injured)
Reserves:
Tialata \ Sommerville (if he is fit), Oliver, Flavell (lock or loose forward cover), Masoe (loose forward cover), Kelleher, Mauger, McDonald (First five or fullback), Filipo (Lock cover), Tuiali'i (Liam Messam out of contention), Tialata \ Dermody (If Sommerville isn't fit), Flynn (Hooker cover), Howlett (Wing Cover), Rokocoko (Wing Cover), Evans (First Five cover), Cowan (Just ahead of Leonard).
Marcus & Lika
This is our time...God bless the All Blacks…The following team will bring the cup home...15.Doug Howlett, 14.Rico Gear, 13.Mils Muliaina, 12.Aaron Mauger, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10.Dan Carter, 9.Piri Weepu, 8. Rodney So'oialo, 7.Richie Mcaw, 6.Jerry Collins, 5.Troy Flavell, 4.Chris Jack, 3.Carl Hayman, 2.Kevin Mealamu, 1.Tony Woodcock.
16.Corey Flynn, 17.Neemia Tialata, 18.Ali Williams, 19.Sione Lauaki, 20.Luke McAlister, 21.Isaia Toeava, 22.Joe Rokocoko....This is the TEAM!!!Henry & co put this team on and we will be World Cup Champions.
Frank
Forwards: Keven Mealamu, Anton Oliver, Andrew Hore, Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clarke Dermody, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Troy Flavell, Richie McCaw (captain), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki.
Backs: Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald
Could possibly sub Robinson for Rubes, for leadership. Wouldn't surprise me if they went with Conrad Smith instead of Nonu for safety reasons. Though Mitch was dumb enough to do that with Leon in '03. Lets hope Henry's more bold than that.
Anakinn
First of all I'm not an AB fan but, a fan of any rugby team that plays good quality rugby! If the NZ had one advantage over other nation teams, it's the wealth of QUALITY pool of players to select from. SA teams might be playing for S14 finals but, that doesn't mean the Boks will have the upper hand on the ABs come WC time. Hate to say it but, I think the only way for ABs to lose is by divine intervention! I'd really like it for a team to come around and really give to the ABs, but I just don't see it happening. Say what you will but I'll stick with the ABs to win it all.
15:Mills & McDonald 14:Howlett & Rokocoko 13: Toeava & Smith 12: Mauger & McAlister 11:Sivivatu 10:Carter & Evans 9: Kelleher, Weepu & Ellis
8: So'oialo & Kaino 7: McCaw & Masoe 6: Collins & Flavel 5: Jack 4:Ali Williams & Keith Robinson 3&1:Hayman,Woodcock,Tialata & Saimone Tamoepeau 2:Mealamu, Anton Oliver & Corey Flynn
Laza
Looking to have a 14/16 split backs/forwards.
I have Included Jerome Kaino over Masoe - he provides a good lineout option which is possibly one weekness in the current AB mix he is also more dynamic than thorn who is looking slower than he has been.
I have included Conrad Smith over Ma'a Nonu as he is a more headsup player - and we have gained some line breakers in McAlister and Toeava in the last 12 months that fills the gap left by Nonu.
As for Joe Rokocoko over Doug Howlett - I see Joe still has that Xfactor when in form that Doug Howlett had in years gone bye - he is still reliable but we need more than reliable to win a world cup(Think Campeze 1991).
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu,Joe Rokocoko , Rico Gear, Isaia Toeava,Luke McAlister, Conrad Smith ,Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans,Jimmy Cowan, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, .
Forwards:
Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Richie McCaw,Jerome Kaino, Jerry Collins, , Chris Jack, Keith Robinson,Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clark Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore,Cory Flynn.
Tyrone
15: Mils Muliaina, 14: Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13: Isaia Toeava, 12: Aaron Mauger, 11: Rico Gear, 10: Daniel Carter, 9: Byron Kelleher, 8: Sione Lauaki, 7: Richie McCaw, 6: Jerry Collins, 5: Troy Flavell, 4: Keith Robinson, 3: Neemia Tialata, 2: Keven Mealamu, 1: Carl Hayman.
Leon (Japan)
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daved Smith, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Nick Evans, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Byron Kelleher.
Forwards:
Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Liam Messam , Troy Flavell, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Derren Witcombe, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Clarke Dermody, Neemia Tialata, Carl Hayman
The Canada games could be the perfect place to blood David Smith for the world cup. I don't think he is ready for the big games at the cup but you never know but he could leave his mark in the lesser group games. This guy could do what Lomu did in South Africa. If he doesn't go to this world cup, he will for sure be in the next.
Herora Collier
Backs: Muliaina, Evans, Sivivatu, Gear, Howlett, Masaga, Toeava, Tuitavake, McAlister, Carter, Leonard, Weepu, Cowan.
Forwards:
Tuiali'i, Lauaki, Messam, Collins, McCaw, Holah, Williams, Flavell, Filipo, Eaton, Hayman, Woodcock, Dermody, Tialata, Mealamu, Willis, Oliver.
Irfaan Valley (South Africa)
My Team: 15 Mils Muliaina 14 Rico Gear 13 Isaia Toeava 12 Luke McAlister 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu 10 Dan Carter 9 Piri Weepu 8 Mose Tuiali'i 7 Richie McCaw 6 Jerry Collins 5 Ali Williams 4 Troy Flavel 3 Carl Hayman 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock.
P. Shearer
Muliaina, Macdonald, Sivivatu, Gear, Toeava, McAlistair, Mauger, Carter, Weepu, Cowan, Evans, Rocokoko, Smith, Kelleher
Lauaki, Soliola, Messam, McCaw, Braid, Jack, Flavell, Kaino, Hayman, Mealamu, Tialata, Woodcock, Williams, Hore, Dermody, Collins.
Ruz
My starters would be: Woodcock, Mealamu and Hayman as a rock solid front row, I'd have hard men Flavell and Keith Richardson as locks and equally hard men Richie McCaw and Jerry Colins on the flanks with big go-forward Sione Lauaki at eight. In the backs I'd go with the strong and stroppy Piri Weepu, and of course the worlds best footballer Daniel Carter with the explosive Luke McAlister at 12 and the Super 14 in-form center Isaia Toeava, I can't imagine a more talented trio of backs than them, I think together they would tear up the competition, the hard part is who to start as the back three, Joe Rokocoko the Rocket Man I don't think got a fair shake with the Blues and I think with the Black Jersey on he'd be back in no time, Rico Gear and Howellet have done well this year but I'd have to go with Sitivini Sivivatu and Corey Jane at fullback to complete what I think would be the most dynamic backline in the world.
On the bench : Tialata, Corey Flynn, Ali Williams, Mose Tuiali'i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans.
Rounding out the 30: Chris Jack, Steve Devine, Casey Laulala, Rico Gear, Daniel Braid, Rodney So'oialo and Clark Dermody.
Noteable ommisions: Nonu - breaks the line well but too much of a liability and wears too much mascara, Conrad Smith - talent but without line breaking ability, Rueben Thorne - he's good but not good enough, Doug Howllet - really really hard to leave him out, perhaps better than Gear. Aaron Mauger - can't get over an couple of bad games he's had, gotta feeling he'll have a few more shockers. Leon MacDonald - I think he's picked as a safe option but that won't win you a World Cup!!
GO ALL BLACKS !! whoever you will be
Vin
Muliaina, Gear, Toeava, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Weepu, So'oalo, McCaw, Collins, Jack, Wiliams, Hayman, Mealamu,Woodcock Res: McDonald, Nonu, Kellaher, Masoe, Flavell, Tialata, Hore.
Neville Emslie
We need two teams at the WC, one to play South Africa, and another for everyone else. Living in the UK at the moment, and having seen every Six Nations game over the last 3 years, we would beat every Nthern Hemisphere team by 20 points with an attacking team such as Muliaina, Sivivatu, Rokokoko, Toeava, MacAlister, Carter, Weepu, So'iaolo, Collins, Jack, Williams, McCaw, Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman. However with South Africa we need a strong scrum, accurate lineout, maul-stopping forwards, willingness to ruck often and quickly to get them offside, good kicking game and intelligent backs that will tackle head on. Thus MacDonald, Gear, Howlett, Smith, MacAlister, Carter, Kelleher, Messam, Collins, McCaw, Williams, Robinson, Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman.
Deirdre
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Isaia Toeava, Casey Laulala, Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis, Brendon Leonard.
Forwards:
Mose Tuiali'i, Sione Lauaki, Richie McCaw, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Liam Messam, Chris Jack, Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clark Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Anton Oliver.
Mornay Cannon
Backline - Muliaina, MacDonald , Howlett ,Sivivatu ,Gear ,Mauger ,Toeava , MacAlistair, Smith, Carter, Evans, Weepu, Kelleher, Cowan.
Forwards - So'ioalo , McCaw ,Collins, Luaki, Masoe, Flavell, Jack ,Robinson , Rawlinson, Mealamu ,Oliver ,Hore, Hayman ,Woodcock ,Tialata, Dermody.
I think this is the best combination available. GO ALL BLACKS!!!
John Patrick
Here's the selectors starting XV:
15/ Mc Donald 14/ Rocokoko 13/ Muliana 11/ Sivivatu 12/ Mauger 10/ Carter 9/ Kelleher 8/ So'oalio 7/ Mc Caw 5/ Williams 4/ Jack 6/ Collins 3/ Hayman 2/ Mealamu 1/ Woodcock
But heres what we should have, given the Boks form up front, our need therefore for a stronger scrum and a no.8 who can make yards (even going backwards) plus recent form by our players. Play Lauaki & Oliver for 50 mins:
15/ Muliana 14/ Gear 13/ Toevea 11/ Sivivatu 12/ Mc Allister 10/ Carter 9/ Kelleher 8/ Lauaki 7/ Mc Caw 5/ Williams or Jack 4/ Robinson 6/ Collins 3/ Hayman 2/ Oliver 1/ Woodcock
Philip Groom
BACKS
Full Backs: Leon McDonald, Mils Muliaina
Wings: Doug Howlet, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear
Centres: Aaron Mauger, Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava, Luke MacAlister
First five-eighths: Daniel Carter, Nick Evans
Scrumhalves: Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Steve Devine
FORWARDS
Hookers: Anton Oliver, Kevin Meelamu
Props: Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Greg Sommerville
Locks: Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Troy Flavell, Keith Robinson
Flankers: Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo
No 8's: Sione Lauaki, Mose Tuiali'i