KEY POINTS:
You've seen the Super 14 and studied the form. Now it's time to pick the All Blacks.
The selectors are meeting this week to thrash out a squad of 30 to be announced at the end of the week.
The squad will play France, Canada and the Tri-Nations series and be a good indicator of the selectors' thinking for the Rugby World Cup.
So who do you think will be in the squad? Send us the 30 players you would pick.
To help, here are our Herald experts selections.
Nzherald.co.nz Sports Editor, Marvin France's picks.
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Brendon Leonard.
Forwards:
Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Liam Messam, Chris Jack, Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clark Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Anton Oliver.
Herald on Sunday rugby writer, Gregor Paul's picks:
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Nick Evans, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Byron Kelleher.
Forwards:
Mose Tuiali'i, Sione Lauaki, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Troy Flavell, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Derren Witcombe, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Clarke Dermody, Neemia Tialata, Carl Hayman.
And here are Your latest picks:
Richard Christensen
My 30 man squad:Backs - McDonald, Muliaina, Howlett, Gear, Sivivatu, Smith, Toeava, Mauger, McAlister, Carter, Evans, Weepu, Kelleher, Cowan. Forwards - Tialata, So'o'ialo, Masoe, McCaw, Collins, Flavell, Williams, Robinson, Jack, Hore, Oliver, Mealamu, Woodcock, Hayman, Dermody, Tialata.
Leighton Mahia
Backs: Muliaina, Toeava, Howlett, Rokocoko, Sivivatu, Smith, Gear, Mauger, McAlister, Carter, Evans, Kelleher, Weepu, Cowan.
Forwards: Tuialii, Sooialo, McCaw, Masoe, Collins, Jack, Flavell, Williams, Robinson, Hayman, Tialata, Oliver, Mealamu, Hore, Woodcock, Dermody.
Harry (Bangkok)
If an AB has an average life of 5 years that means in a squad of 30 6 need replacing every year. McDonald, Mauger, Jack, Thorne, Hoare, Smith, Howlett and Nonu best days have passed. Where as Lavaki, Messam, Toeava, Leonard, Flavell and Tuiali'i could star at this World Cup. Mr Henry should be looking at blooding some of the new talent in the First Test against SA even if we lose that test we can still win the Tri Nations. It's not to late to bring in new talent into the 30 and the AB's need big hard men against SA.
Dave Jansen
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Keith Robinson, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clark Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Anton Oliver.
To me the main issue in this squad is lineout throwing (But no one in NZ is good at this) I only have 29 players, would possibly have Rokococo, Conrad Smith, Tuitavake, Reuben Thorne, Liam Messam or Mose Tuiali'i as 30th player. This team is easily good enough to win the Tri Nations but that 1st game in South Africa will be tough. Forget about France and Canada it will be a walkover...
Sanjay Singh
My starting 15: 15 Mils 14 Doug 13 Toeava 12 Mauger 11 Siti 10 Carter 9 Kelleher 8 So'ialo 7 Mccaw 6 Collins 5 Ali (if Jack is injured still) 4 Robinson 3 Hyman 2 Mealamu 1 Woodcock.
Geoffrey
My Team: 15 Mils 14Doug 13 Isaia 12 Luke 11Sitiveni 10Dan 9Leonard 8Sione 7McCaw 6Jerry 5Ross 4Troy 3Hayman 2Keven 1Tony.
Joe
If a team was picked on form over the Super 14 then we would have a relatively new team. However I believe the selectors will show faith in form from last season's end of year tour with maybe a few surprises. So here goes.... Muliaina, McDonald, Rokocoko, Howlett, Gear, Toeava, Smith, McAlister, Carter, Evans, Kelleher, Weepu,Cowan,So'oialo, Lauaki, McCaw, Braid, Collins, Kaino, Jack, Williams, Robinson, Flavell, Hayman, Tialata, Woodcock,Dermody, Mealamu, Oliver,Witcombe Don't forget that the Junior AB's will also be a good feeder for the AB's throughout the Tri-Nations, for those that have missed out on initial selection.
Grunta
Whatever we do lets not repeat some of Hart or Mitchells mistakes ie 1) Don't play anyone out of position 2) Don't leave the most effective game breaker against physical sides at home (Isotola Mako for Hart, Sione Luaki For Henry) 3) Leave the baggage behind - sorry Reuben but you don't make line breaks, your tacklings weak and you infringe too much. Give the in form Liam a go at backup blindside 4) Win the hearts of the locals by giving them your time, don't do a big branding exercise on planes and billboards that makes you look like arrogant sods & don't go off on a holiday mid tourney (what were you thinking Hart?) 5) Have an effective backup plan to deal with teams changing tactics on the day. Oh and harden up, the rest of the rugby world wants us to fail again so forget about the money and the "fame" have a bit of Kia Kaha and do yourselves and your country proud!
Barry Longsugar
As an Aussie, I'd normally be rooting for the Wallabies, but as the Ws aren't going to be a force in the RWC, I'm gonna cheer for the ABs. So I'd like you guys to field your best 15 when you come up against France or the Boks in the final. So may an unblinkered outsider put in his two cents worth? Firstly, don't play Mauger. Who needs another punter when you've got a great punter in Carter? Play Toeava because you're gonna need all the firepower you can muster. And Nonu, the tackle buster. Play Dougie at FB because he hits the line better than Mils and he's been in great form. And fix the lineout by playing Collins at 8, and Flavell at 6. And give the nod to Weepu at halfback - much more penetration than Byron. Go ABs!
Dean
Take my word for it this is the team to win it no chokers in here: Backs: 15.bruce taylor 14.dave murphy 13.john faust 12.mike rutherford 11.bob jago 10.adrian lee 9.patrick small. Forwards: 8.leighton greentree 7.daniel urlich 6. dean mildon 5.leighton agnew 4.mark jago 3. lee shakes 2. peter bovey 1.danny rankin
Reserves peter deedman ,neil mcmurdock ,auther cooper,graeme oldham,mike piper,mo moin, patrick duddy.
Alvin Brown
15-mils, 14-doug, 13-toeava, 12-mcallistr, 11-sivi, 10-carter, 9-kellehar, 8-rodney.s, 7-mcaw, 6-collins, 5-ali, 4-troy, 3-haymen, 2-mealamu, 1-woodcock. Still room for improvement with starting 15. Huge selection to choose from for reserves. Need to beef up our forwards like the S.A
All Blacks, New world champions 07. Biggest threat-S.A. Biggest threat from europe-Ireland. Underdogs, Samoa!
Sam Swain
I'll take a risk starting Evans at full back, if you want to start a counter attack, he can do it, No Nonu he hands let him down (releases it forward after he is tackled and never to a player in the open before he is tackled. No Flavell (to many penalties for silly things). No Weepu (because Cowan defended, passed and attacked better this year and his kicking was on a par). McDonald (as back up) is there because fullback you need someone who can do the job everytime. 15.Nick Evans, 14.Rico Gear, 13.Mils Muliaina, 12.Luke McAlister, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10.Daniel Carter 9.Byron Kelleher, 8.Rodney So'oialo, 7.Richie McCaw, 6.Jerry Collins, 5.Keith Robinson, 4.Chris Jack, 3.Tony Woodcock, 2.Keven Mealamu, 1.Carl Hayman.
Reserve Backs: Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Aaron Mauger, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard. Reserve Forwards: Mose Tuiali'i, Chris Masoe, Liam Messam, , Ali Williams, Campbell Johnson, Clark Dermody, Anton Oliver,
Rolly
MacDonald Muliaina Sivivatu Rokococo Howlett Gear Toeava Smith Mauger McAlistar Carter Kelleher weepu cowan Lauaki So'oialo McCaw Masoe Collins Flavell Jack Williams Robinson Witcombe Oliver Mealamu Woodcock Tialata Hayman Taumoepeau.
Joern (Hamburg, Germany)
I'm not too excited about MacDonald like many others here, but I think you need cover at fullback when Muliaina is playing center or can't go because of injuries. I like a lot what I've seen from Daniel Braid this season and I think you need a true number 7 to cover for McCaw. I think Braid is the best number 7 in New Zealand in run support and linking besides McCaw.
Toeava is my number 13. I think he came of ages this super14 and he's got every skill our center should have. He will be impressive during the world cup. Strong, fast runner. I think he's the perfect fit outside Mauger or McAllister. I had to left Howlett of, cause I think he is running a bit out of gas and Rokocoko is always stepping his game up in the black jersey.
Backs: Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Sitevini Siviatu, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAllister, Aaron Mauger, Dan Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Jason Leonard.
Forwards: Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Chris Masoe, Daniel Braid, Troy Flavell, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Carl Haymann, Neemia Tialate, Tony Woodcock, Clark Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Anton Oliver, Derren Witcombe.
Scotty
Starting XV: 15 Muliaina, 14 Gear, 11 Sivivatu, 13 Toeava, 12 Mauger, 10 Carter, 9 Kelleher, 8 So'oialo, 7 McCaw, 6 Collins,5 Jack, 4 Williams, 1 Woodcock, 2 Mealamu, 3 Hayman. Reserves: Sommerville, Oliver, Flavell, Masoe, Weepu, McAlister, MacDonald. Remaining squad: Flynn, Tialata, Thorne, Tuialii, Howlett, Evans, Ellis, Smith.
Jay
Backs: Kelleher, Weepu, Cowan, Carter, Major, Evans, McCallister, Toeava, C. Smith, Howlette, Sivivatu, R. Gear, Muliaina, L. McDonald. Forwards: Hayman, Woodcock, Tialata, Afoa, Mealamu, Oliver, Flynn, Robinson, Williams, Jack, Flavell, Jerry Collins, Soialo, McCaw, Masoe, Luaki.
Rolando
Who can leave out Mose Tuialii? By far the best number 8 this year. Seriously Henry cant leave him out this year, he's gonna be a key to the All Blacks world cup campaign.
AB Supporter
A champion team will always beat a team of champions, which I feel has been the All Blacks down fall in the past and to the privilege few who get to wear the BlackK jersey this year congratulations. To the three wise men Henry,Hanson,& Smith keep up the good work.I wonder if they agree with my picks. Fullback: ,Mills,McDonald Wingers: Rokococo,Sivivatu,Howlett,Gear Centres: Toeava,Smith,Nonu or Tuitavake Inside centre: Mauger,McAlister. First five: ,Carter,Evans. Halfbacks: Byron,Weepu,Leonard. Loosies:, McCaw(C)So'oialo, Collins,Masoe,Lauake,Thorn. Locks: Jack, Williams, Rawlinson, Robinson Props: Haymen, Woodcock,Tialata,Crockett Hookers:,Mealamu,Oliver,Hore.
Matt
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger Nick Evans, Daniel Carter Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Jerry Collins Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw Troy Flavell, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Anton Oliver Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clarke Dermody (unless Greg sommerville is fit).
Mike 'n' Bendigo
15. Mils M 9b. Byron K 5/6. Rueben T
15b. Corey J 8. Rodney S 3b. Neemia T
14. Rico G 8b. Sione L 2. Kevin M
14b. Doug H 7. Ritchie M 2b. Andrew H
13. Isaia T 7b. Chris M 1. Tony W
13b Tuitavake? 6. Jerry C 1b. John A
12. Aaron M 6b. Liam N
12b. Luke M 5. Troy F
11. Siviti S 5b. Ali W
11b. Roy K 4. Chris J
10. Daniel C 4b. Rawlinson
9. Piri W 3. Carl H
Vic
15-Mulliaina 14-Howlett 13-Toeava 12-MacAlister 11-Sivivatu 10-Carter 9-Kellaher 8-Lauaki 7-MaCaw 6-Collins 5-Robinson 4-Flavell 3-Hayman 2-Mealamu 1-Woodcock. Bench Flynn Tialata Jack Soialo Weepu Evans Gear (Rico) Eric Garth Philander
All Blacks fan (Cape Town, South Africa)
I would choose: Backs: Mills Muliana, Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Doug Howlet, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Isa Toeava, Luke McAlistar, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Peri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Marty Hollah, Richie McCaw, Daniel Braid, Jerry Collins, Chris Jack, Troy Flavell,Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Craig Dermody, Kevin Mealamu, Anton Oliver, Darren Witcombe. Steve Phillips
Rugby fanatic:
Run on 15: M Muliaina; S Sivivatu; J Rokokoko; I Toeava; L McAlister; D Carter; P Weepu; S Lauaki; R McCaw; C Masoe; C Jack; A Williams; T Woodcock; K Mealamu; C Hayman. Balance of Squad: B Leonard; B Kellaher; N Tialata; A Hoare; C Flynn; C Dermody; J Rawlinson; J Kaeno; N Robinson; M Masunga; N Evans; A Mauger; J Collins; R So'oialo; C Jane I have left out L McDonald, T Flavell and R Thorne who I believe have not performed at a level that would warrant Test football.
Ti Henry
Forwards[15]: S.Lauaki(8,6), R.So'oialo(7,8), J.Collins(6,8), L.Messam(6,7,8)), R.McCaw(Captain)(7), K.Robinson(5), C.Jack(4), A.Williams(4,5), G.Rawlinson(4), C.Hayman(3), T.Woodcock(1), S.Taumoepeau(1,2), N.Tialata(1,3), K.Mealamu(2), A.Oliver(2)...
Backs [15]: Muliaina(15,13),MacDonald(15),Howlett(15,14),Sivivatu(15,14),Rokocoko(11,14),Gear(14),Tu'itavake(11,13),Toeava(13,12,15),Mauger(V-C) (12,10), Carter(10,12), Evan(10),Kelleher(9), Leonard(9), Weepu(10,9), McAlister(10,12,13): we need speed on "D" too.. Go all blacks!
Terrence
Backs: Muliaina, McDonald, Sivivatu, Gear, Rokocoko, McAlister, Mauger, C. Smith, Toeava, Tuitavake, Carter, Evans, Kelleher, Weepu, Leonard.
Forwards: So'oialo, Collins, McCaw, Messam, Jack, Robinson, Flavell, A. Williams, Hayman, Woodcock, Tialata, Dermody, Mealamu, Oliver, Witcombe
Charlie and Harry
AB squad: Woodcock, Hayman, Tialata, Dermody Oliver, Mealamu, Hore
Williams, Robinson, Jack, Flavell Collins, So'oialo, Tuiali'i
McCaw, Masoe. Kelleher, Cowan, Weepu, Carter, Evans McAllister, Mauger,
Toeava, Smith, Gear, Howlett, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McDonald. Unlucky:
Flynn, Thorne, Braid, Holah, Leonard, Ellis, Sivivatu, Shelford, Cullen, Randell.
Stewballs
I think this team would be pretty hard to beat, but with the depth of NZ rugby this year we could put two teams in the world cup and either could win. 1. Woodcock 2. Mealamu 3. Hayman 4. Jack 5. Williams 6. Collins
7. McCaw (C) 8. Tuiali'I 9. Kelleher 10. Carter 11. Sivivatu 12. McAlister
13. Toeava 14. Rokokoco 15. Muliaina 16. Sommerville 17. Oliver
18. Flavell 19. Messam 20. Weepu 21. McDonald 22. Evans .
Richard Rookes
Jaynes, Hamilton, Paul Cooke, Steve Cleave, Callum Bruce, Nonu, Donald, Gopperth, Weepu (as a 1st 5), Devine, Ellis, Umunga, Kininkinilau, Paku, Nacewa. Bates, Thorne (c), Collins (Michael), Whitcomb, Hore, Franks,Johnstone, Oliver, Luaki, Blackie, Braid, Maling, Mika, Rawstron, Mike Allen. McCaw unlucky on form, Carter no good this season and time for new blood hence Gopperth an upincomer.
Andrew George
The selectors have no choice but to pick all uninjured 'conditioned players' for France Tests. They will also go for a 14/16 split.
Dermody will replace Sommerville and Robinson will replace Eaton.
Obvoius next choices are Tialata, Evans, McAlister, Gear.Henry said he will take a lock/loosie - Flavell will get the nod. He needs a 3rd half-back - Cowan (Leonard would be a bolter) He needs another midfielder - Toeava has to get it. That leaves 1 more. It'll either be Howlett (Mils covers midfield, Evans covers fullback) or another midfielder - Conrad Smith as he's the incumbant (not sure how his injury is). God forbid we go back to Nonu!
Roy
My team pick on form: Forwards: Gibbs, Bates, A.Willimas,Read, Tito, Messam, Holah, Paulo, Hore, McGaw, etc. Back: All Huuricanes backs.
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