KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have named a team close to full strength for Saturday's first rugby test against France at Eden Park in Auckland.
Injuries have ruled out five players from the team who will play New Zealand's first test of 2007 -- fullback Mils Muliaina, centre Conrad Smith and halfback Byron Kelleher (all hamstring), flanker Jerry Collins (heel) and hooker Anton Oliver (foot).
Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
Natalie from Perth, avid AB fan
Would've liked to have seen Luke Mcalister get a start in the number 12 position, but I spose we already know what he and Toeava can do in the midfield. Apart from that considering the injuries the team is a very good one. Go the AB's!
Vin
Would have preferred to have seen McAlistar at second five and Reuben Thorne in Antarctica with Masoe at blindside.
Darren Maslin
Injury may have forced a hand but there is an air of necessity in these selections. Players like Thorne, Macdonald and Rokocoko all need to get up to standard during this series. Toeava must start as often as possible and create a combination with Mauger, as the talented centre has with Mcallister at the Blues.Though it is a strong side, lack of game time, some fresh combinations and a largely unknown opposition factor may lead to some frustration for fans who expect a french-frying experience.Dont our expectations overwhelm our senses at this time every year?
Elizabeth
I am surprised not to see Doug Howlett included after his stellar super 14 campaign, and very pleased to see Toeava get a start.Hopefully Brendon Leonard will get a run on, its a great opportunity for him with Kelleher out of the picture.Im horrified that Reuben Thorne is even in the mix, he hasn't shown any form in awhile, and instead of playing the over-rated dinosaur we should be using this series to develop new players. The tight five selected are the best in the world, and it is pleasing to see Flavell on the bench.The team selected definitely has the talent to destroy the average French visitors! Go the All blacks!
Fred ah yek
I would put in luke @ 2nd five, Doug on the wing.Troy Flavell in for Ali Williams. Those would be my main changes of personnel.
All Black crazy (Taihape)
I think the team chosen is the very best available taking into account, injury's that are in the team.
I believe there is huge expectations on the performance of Isaia Tuiava, but you cant help but be hugely impressed with his super 14 performance.I wonder if this game would have been an ideal opportunity to give the new boy, Leonard, from the Chiefs, the chance to get the feel of All Black rugby played at the highest level. His ability to run with ball in hand, is an advantage, I feel that could be tried, and if you like, practised, so to speak. Joe Rockococo will be watched very closely and with much interest, and that is simply because he was not given the opportunity to get some much needed rugby under his belt. I watch with interest, to see if our All Blacks out of the Blues franchise can retain the direction and power play we know they are capable of, or if the stand down time has in some way taken the edge, from these players concerned. If so, this could have a huge negative effect on our world cup team for 2007. As an ardent rugby fan, it almost seems like a bit of outside influence could play a part in our success or otherwise.
Sydney, Australia
Not a bad All Black side, obviously not our strongest due to some injuries, however, one must assume Rococoko has been selected because of lack of match play. I just hope the selectors give our No 1 team a run before the Tri Nations start.
Mike from Aussie
This is a very strong line up for the 1st up test. Toeava deserves his spot and will take it with both hands. Look to him to absolutely carve the French up.
Danis, Arch Hill
I think this is a fair team, a mixture of deserved spots (Toeava starting and Flavell on the bench), further development of fringe players (Masoe over So'oialo and Evans over McAlistair) and dealing with injury (Thorne, McDonald and Weepu all starting). It is obviously not our full strength 22 but bar the World Cup final, will we ever see our real 1st XV in action? With all this class at our disposal Henry is right to develop, rest and experiment, and this is the reason we have won 20 of our last 21 and are the envy of the rugby world. We may have faulted in the Super 14 but I have full trust in the coaching staff as they have proved the game has changed and rotation is the best way to deal with it.
US rugby fan (Auckland)
This is a good solid team, but not the best for sure.Jerry and Muls are missing and also a few others. I think what will happen is the coaches will test the combos for the French series and put a full team out there to play Canada (God help them).
Hugh Jarse
Team is not bad , one question , how did Reuben Thorne get in?
hissie (Perth)
I think the all black selectors have got it spot on with their choices, other than the number 15 Leon MacDonald who is no good under the high ball.
Jay
The team looks good.I would have Jerry Collins on the pitch too you would problem have Doug in the starting team with his spectacular form in the super 14.But due to no game time for Joe at least he has his chance now,hopefully he does his best and shows his class. Nonu is lucky to be in the team but he had poor performance later in the super 14 hopefully he gets game time and proves he can still hold his own out there on the field.
Peter (Qld)
Prety well a foregone selection. Henry couldn't do much else. This, along with the next game should be the first of a couple of practice runs. A bit like the old Possibles vs Probables, but, with all due respect to the French visiting our fair shores, not as difficult.I'd expect a couple of changes next time around, injuries allowing, just to give everyone a shot at playing and to see how people gel again. The real tests in preparation for the WRC, will be the TN against SA. Wouldn't be surprised if they lost the SA leg. But ... I don't think that would hurt.
G.C.
Definitely, who could doubt the selection of a coaching team who have literally developed two All Black Teams& Hope to see Gear in the final selection though!
Bill Heap
Team was quite predictable given the recent injuries , would though like to have seen Howlett as he always turns it on at Eden Park , strong bench with Nonu , Flavell , So'oialo giving huge impact.
Tim
Reuben Thorne is passed his use-by date and shouldn't be there. Send him off to France with the rest of the has-beens. McAlister is in the form of his life and could've come off the bench to slot in at either second five or centre. Not having him in the 22 is disappointing to say the least.
McCav (Auckland)
Pretty close to a top side I'd say.Aside from starting Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Muliaina, and having Anton Oliver, and Kelleher in there somewhere as well.
ReggieRabbitoh
I am happy with the team selected, however I would have liked to have seen McAlister in at second-five. Is he injured? McAlister was one of the form players of the Super 14 when he was not injured. Even though I am a Crusader fan I prefer him over Mauger. The Carter-McAlister-Toeava connection is primed for this world cup and looks good for the future. I hope McAllister is not lured overseas before seeing his potential in a Black jersey.
Ozzy Kiwi
I think the selections are pretty good. I guess there are certain starters that are out due to injury (like Mils Muliaina, Jerry Collins and Byron Kelleher. Leon MacDonald is a safe selction at fullback although I'd rather have Mils back there. Troy Favell and Doug Howlett are both deserving of starts, but after the trouble Ali Williams had towards the end of the Blues Super 14 campaign and with Rokokoko not getting much game time their non selection could have shattered their confidence, so I'll let them have those two. Not a fan of Rueben Thorne, he needs to find that form he had early in his career and playing Chris Masoe at No 8 gives him more experience at a third loose forward position. Hopefully an injury free Sione Lauaki gets a run at No 8 when he returns. I'm stoked to see Isaia Toeava at centre, he was the best centre in this years Super 14 and is in the best form of his career. I think Nick Evans is a awesome 1st five but I'd have Luke McAlister ahead of him. Finally to all those young All Blacks betraying our country and the Black Jersey. Shame on you.I understand the older All Blacks leaving after the World Cup but the young All Blacks?
Stephen
I think that team is a brilliant line up! Hopefully Mauger and Toeiava can use this series to get to know each others game.Williams and Jack locking - both aggressive and great line out jumpers.Tialata is a wicked bench option, on par with the starters.Go the ABS!
