KEY POINTS:
All Black selectors have a problem on their hands deciding who to play as lock against Canada after a recent string of injuries.
Jason Eaton has anterior cruciate ligament damage, as does James Ryan. Meanwhile, Ali Williams suffered a broken jaw in the weekend playing against France and Keith Robinson has a torn calf muscle.
Rival forwards Troy Flavell and Reuben Thorne may have to bail the All Blacks out of their locking crisis.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
sydney
Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon...All our locks were made to look like school kids in the super 14 finals.We never contest the opposition throws so why have them at all.Play mose,luaki,and take the tap.
mud
Filipo was the form lock of the super 14, and just about made the form teams in the papers every weekend. He was the junior all blacks lock and played well for them, so its seems the logical choice to have him and rawlinson as the next two in the team as rawlinson has proven himself before
Fili (Sydney)
Given the fact our lock stock are dropping like flies (James Ryan, Jason Eaton, Keith Robinson and Ali Williams), logical replacements are Chris Jack and Troy Flavell [how fortunate that we have these types of "replacements"!] with newcomer Ross Filipo deserving of a spot on the bench for his consistency this year. I won't buy into this crap that Reuben Thorne has "special" qualities on and off the field. Please. The reason why he makes tackles is that the opposition likes running at him, therefore any player worth his salt will tackle anyone that runs straight at him, especially at the highest level! Duh.
Look, I understand that Thorne has family and friends and that he shouldn't put up with this but many forget how he pulled out of last year's Junior All Blacks (also as captain) for the mere fact that he was "tired" yet only a few weeks later he was suddenly smiling and jovial when named in the All Blacks team, never mind the other contenders who busted their guts out and showed plenty of pride in the Juniors. Thus, I hadn't forgotten the mark of a loser that Thorne displayed right there. We don't need him and it's about time Graham Henry realises that.
Aggie
Why does everyone have it in for Thorne? Still blaming him?? Dependable, good team man, excellent work rate, good skills. What more do you want?
Stephen (Auckland)
Jono Gibbes is definitely an option which has been left out of conversation a lot, but certainly possesses great skill in the lineout, and is very aggressive as someone has said previous. I would definitely consider the options before giving Filipo a jersey. Is it me, or is Filipo very slow with ball in hand? Seems to be indecisive also.
Sniff (Perth)
Jono Gibbes is the man for any crisis. Don't why he is all of a sudden forgotten. Hard, touch, skilful - the complete package - better option that Filipo & Rawlinson.
Drew (Auckland)
Flavell and Jack with Rawlinson on the bench, replace Thorne with Tui'ali.
Dan
Jack & Flavell with Rawlinson on the bench. Regarding the comment from Dave (Gulf Harbour), how you can make a judgement like that after watching two test's against France C is beyond me!
AB Selector
Jack - dependable, experienced, workhorse. Very important skills in this world cup year.
Flavell - Good ball skills, running game, tough. His irresistible form during Super14 will continue to shine on the world stage.
Drop Thorne and take him as an advisor. Replace him with Jonno Gibbes, no brainer that one. Should be a first choice over Filipo/Rawlinson in my opinion and can cover blindside. Has heart, knowledge and leadership skills that leave others including Thorne far behind.
Iain MacMillan
It's not a matter of who should but rather who is left. It is staggering the hit the AB's have taken at lock, but then this is not tiddly winks, so a certain amount of attrition through injury has to be expected and I believe has been planned for although not to this level! Like any team of destiny, however this often pushes the level of the replacements as well as fellow team members. Weird to see some of the negative comments on Thorne - he is probably one of the most secure players we have. He does the little but hugely important things that help the pack work as effectively as they do. I think he has an essential role. After Jacko, the next locks in line have to be Flavell, Rawlinson, Filipo played well enough in the S14 to have earned his chance, then I wouldn't mind seeing Tuiali'i have a crack somewhere and Reid is probably not too far in the horizon.
Ms Auckland
Now, who cares which AB lock is playing Canada? Even if we chose Mickey Mouse the AB's will still humiliate Canada 98-1. Besides, I didn't know Canada played rugby union at all.
Ruki (Auckland)
I think Flavell and Jack are our best pairing. Greg Rawlinson on the bench would cover the locking situation. We have seen locks( Williams, Ryan, Eaton) who have superior aerial abilities. But only one (Williams) shows the ability to get down with the dirty. We all know South Africa with Victor and Botha will not only bring a aerial but a physical game. We need to match it. With Flavell's go forward, mongrel, leadership and skill he can do the job of a Lock but can also do the job of a flanker. Even if we give Jack half a game this weekend and rest him to bring Rawlinson we lose nothing as Flavell and Rawlinson worked with each other with the blues. It's a no brainer, Jack and Flavell first Rawlinson on the bench.
Dave (Gulf Harbour)
It probably doesn't matter who the All Blacks pick, they'll still choke at the World Cup. If the AB's get banged up by Chabal and just a simple warm up, wait till they meet Hector Hoogerbooger Campervan from SA. Even England would probably beat the AB's and they've got their top 30 players out at present.
JV (Perth)
There is only one issue that myself and the greater majority of NZ rugby followers have with our selectors and coaching staff, Reuben
Thorne. They put us in a position where the frustration leaves us with no option but to point out in detail the flaws in this man's game, his inability to do what is required from any player in any position as an All Black. This is unfair to us and to Reuben. He has warn the black jersey and deserves respect. He has a family and friends and should not have to possibly feel the embarrassment of reading such comments. John Mitchell paid the price for leaving Christian Cullen at home, playing a fullback out of position and not only having Reuben on the field but as captain. He played at number 6. His job is to hit and hurt. Men will follow men who perform those two tasks before all else. There is absolutely no comparison between Reuben, Gerry Colins and Schalk Burger. Not even close. Chris Jack, Troy Flavell, Rawlison, Filipo all have the aggression and courage that is required to damage the opposition phyisically and even mentally. I would play Doug Howlet at 6 before Reuben! Serious!
Reece (Sydney)
If fit Jono Gibbs along with Greg Rawlinson to join the sqaud to provide back up for Troy Flavell and Chris Jack. In saying that Graham Henry and his fellow selectors have a pretty good record when it comes to selecting the right players. Robbie Deans has also shown a lot of faith in Ross Filipo so maybe he is the man. Even with the injuries there is still good depth. However if we had the same run of injuries with the centre and fullback we would be in a little trouble.
John
Tui'ali. Tui'ali did not make it to the final cut despite a massive campaign in the S14. That is most unfair. Vastly superior in all aspects of the game to Thorne or Masoe. Tui'ali should be able to play flanker and lock: he has the tackling, the speed, the height and the ball carrying capabilities.He has everything.
chris
Tom Donnelly, surely he's back to fitness now? He'd be an asset for sure. Awesome around the field and in the lineup, and all otago forwards can scrummage.
Toby Lynn from waikato showed he's got the goods too.
Scottie B
unny that. Everyone has been bagging the "brains trust"for the cheapening of the All Black jersey by dishing them out willy nilly since they took the helm.Now there has been an unfortunate run of events through injury and weve lost a few locks, the quality of back up still looks strong. (Henry must have a rye smile, although still a bit concerned) I think Ross Filipo is a good selection and will wear the Fern with aplomb. His combination and communication with Jacko will be solid. Forget about Thorne as a locking option as I wouldn't even have him covering as a specialist blindside. We have plenty of cover there with Flavell. Plenty of flanker cover with Masoe. A specialist lock is what we need. Rawlie will do alright as well, but with these injuries to the big boys being medium to long term i think combinations are what we need. It will be interesting come Tri Nations time what Henry will do.
Rugby nut
Crisis? I don't think so! The fact is we have a whole bunch of locks that can slot in. All we have to do is look at our Super 14 franchises. Kieran Reid is one that can probably fill the spot, with the right schooling and game time with the superstars he will be ok! The one area that will be exposed without a specialist lock will the kick offs and that was pretty evident when Ali left the field.
Inyo
Jack and Flavell. Rawlinson on the bench.
Bruce
This situation could be the making of this team. We are all wondering how Flavell and Thorne will do at lock in the white-hot atmosphere of test football at the highest level. The selectors should trust their selections and give these guys the opportunity to prove themselves against Matfield, Botha etc. Rawlinson and Fillipo should be used as back-up only.
Twigdust
Jack and Rawlinson as front line and Thorne and Flavell as backups.
Joji (Fiji)
Jack and Flavell with Filipo on the bench.
Jay Riechelmann
I think Flavell and Fillipo should start with Thorne on the bench.
PJ
Thorne is obviously not an international lock. He would get shown up by most of the top international sides. I don't believe he should be in the team at all. However, given the current crisis, I would use him as back-up. I would start the next test with Flavel and Rawlinson. Assuming that both Robinson and Williams are fit for the world cup, Thorne wouldn't feature in my Cup squad.
Sean
Troy Flavell should partner Chris Jack. He will add more mongrel needed against the South Africans as well as mobility and ball work up the fringes.
Fili (Sydney)
What is so good about Thorne? We will not win the World Cup with him in there and MacDonald is suspect under pressure, having given away numerous tries to the opposition. Oliver is another has-been. Experienced they may be - but certainly no 'X-Factors'.
Mark (Thailand)
Whats Reuben Thorne even doing there? Give one of the young guys a run and give Reuben a blanket and a wheelchair and put him in the stands to watch how in-form young All Blacks play the game.
Sean
Hopefully Flavell doesn't have a brain explosion if he gets on and Toeava doesn't have a melt down like 2006. Good to see Thorne there, obviously the coaches know a thing or two about rugby.
Mike (Ireland)
Reuben Thorne is a great player. Great lineout option, never loses the contact battles at the breakdown, and I can never remember him missing a tackle.
Darcy (Opotiki)
I think they should use Jack and Rawlinson as their no 1 choice locks. Pick Flavell and Thorne for the Canadian game.
Danny
Jack & Flavell.
SH (New Plymouth)
Kristian Ormsby.
