August 23, 2011 - 12:46PM
Sitiveni Sivivatu has missed the cut. Photo: Getty Images
The All Blacks 30-man squad to contest the Rugby World Cup was unveiled today by coach Graham Henry.
Captained by Richie McCaw at his third World Cup, the squad features a 16-forward, 14-back split.
The contentious winger positions have been won by Zac Guildford, Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava, leaving no room for Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The most notable inclusion in the forwards is Wellington loose forward Victor Vito, who is selected ahead of Waikato's Liam Messam.
John Afoa is the fourth prop, selected ahead of Wyatt Crockett while Anthony Boric - who has been sidelined for two months with injury - wins the fourth locking spot ahead of Jarrad Hoeata.
McCaw, first five-eighth Dan Carter, hooker Keven Mealamu, fullback Mils Muliaina and lock Ali Williams will take part in their third consecutive tournament.
Seven players will contest their second tournament - hooker Corey Flynn, midfielder Ma'a Nonu and lock Brad Thorn played in the 2003 campaign; while prop Tony Woodcock, halfback Andy Ellis, centre Conrad Smith and outside back Isaia Toeava played in Rugby World Cup 2007.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said he was pleased with the strength of his squad.
"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those players selected. It's an incredibly exciting time for the team and a unique opportunity to represent New Zealand at home. The players will be facing the ultimate rugby challenge - playing for the most coveted trophy in world rugby, the Rugby World Cup," he said.
"At the same time I want to pay tribute to those players who have missed out on selection. It was an incredibly difficult process; all the players who missed selection are not only outstanding players but special people. We are close as a group which made this selection all the more difficult."
Henry said the side had "generally" been picked on form.
"We believe there is a good balance; a blend of experienced All Blacks -with nine players who have played more than 50 Tests - while at the other end of the scale we have seven players who have played fewer than a dozen tests who bring youthful enthusiasm to the side.
"There is also a balance in the fact that we have players who are specialists in their position while others have utility value and can cover a number of positions, so we have the players to cover any possibilities which may be thrown up during the tournament."
The All Blacks squad is in Brisbane preparing for the final match of the Tri Nations against Australia on Saturday.
Squad:
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Corey Jane, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis
Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Anthony Boric, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn
Showing posts with label Zac Guildford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zac Guildford. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Jarrad Hoeata joins All Blacks squad
Jarrad Hoeata of the Highlanders has been rewarded for a stellar Super RUgby season. Photo: Getty Images
Duncan Johnstone
July 10, 2011Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata is the newcomer in the All Blacks squad named for the Tri Nations.
The squad, which will be captained by All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs and packs huge experience with 1028 test caps between them.
Hoeata, started every match for the Highlanders this year in his outstanding second Super Rugby season.
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The 27-year-old, who was born in Tauranga, made his provincial debut in 2006, played for the New Zealand Sevens team the same year and also featured strongly for New Zealand Maori last year.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: "We are excited to be naming this first squad of the year in what is undoubtedly a huge year not only for the All Blacks but the country as a whole."
Henry also offered his congratulations to Hoeata.
"He is the only new All Black selected so this will be a very special moment for him. He thoroughly deserves his selection and we congratulate him."
Four players named in the Tri Nations squad are recovering from injuries - Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle) - so the All Blacks selectors have also announced that four players will assemble with the squad as injury cover: Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, Hurricanes winger Cory Jane, Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and Highlanders winger Ben Smith.
Henry said they were confident that the rehabilitation plans in place for the four injured players would see them play some part in the Tri Nations.
"They are all making good progress on their individual rehab plans and will play some ITM Cup games before returning to test match rugby."
The squad also sees the return of a number of players to the All Blacks, most notably 61-test Blues and All Blacks lock Ali Williams who made his rugby comeback this year after two years out of the game with Achilles and shoulder injuries.
Corey Flynn, Richard Kahui and Piri Weepu also return to the All Blacks after injury ruled them out of contention for last year's Grand Slam tour to the northern hemisphere.
Colin Slade got the job of backing up Dan Carter, heading off Aaron Cruden despite his thin diet of rugby this year because of two broken jaws.
Notable absentees include Joe Rokocoko, Neemia Tialata, Luke McAlister, Hikawera Elliot, Alby Mathewson, Victor Vito and Tom Donnelly.
Crusaders wing Zac Guildford has received a recall on the back of a busy Super Rugby campaign.
One player, Blues and North Harbour lock Anthony Boric was not considered due to the foot injury, suffered in the Blues' Super Rugby Finals Series qualifying match against the Waratahs last month.
"Our first test against Fiji in Dunedin will be an important first step in our season, plus there's extra significance because we are playing for the people of Canterbury. The thoughts of the team are still with the folk of Canterbury as they try to rebuild their lives so we hope we see as many fans as possible at Carisbrook for this fundraising match," Henry added.
"The Tri Nations also remains an important competition for the team this year. We are proud of the record we have achieved over the years and the fact that we have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and it is crucial as we look to build towards the Rugby World Cup."
The All Blacks will continue their preparations with a two-day camp in Auckland next week (Thursday and Friday). The team will then assemble in Dunedin on Monday July 18 to prepare for the Test against Fiji at Carisbrook on Friday 22 July.
The All Blacks kick off their Tri Nations campaign the following weekend on Saturday 30 July against South Africa at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Squad:
BACKS: Mils Muliaina, Hosea Gear, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Isaia Toeava, Colin Slade.
FORWARDS: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock
Monday, March 28, 2011
New Zealand Players leading up to the World Cup
New Zealand
The question of Richie McCaw's back-up has gobbled up so much attention that last week's departure of Mils Muliaina for a month with a back injury went under the radar.
Although there is no suggestion that Muliaina won't be fully restored to take his place in the World Cup starting side, the lack of anxiety over his absence speak volumes about the Kiwis' plethora of outside backs.
And the continued growth of Robbie Fruean - who will already be giving Adam Ashley-Cooper nightmares - has further complicated a selection area that is stacking up to be the most hotly contested.
Expressed simply, the likes of Fruean, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Israel Dagg, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Cory Jane, Zac Guildford, Sitiveni Sivavatu, Hosea Gear and now Sean Maitland can't all fit into the squad.
Of those Toeva and Gear most likely booked their places with strong end-of-season tours, but the rampaging form of Fruean - not even fear could take Ashley-Cooper from his grasp, although the Brumby oddly appears to be lacking some conditioning - has put the rest on notice.
Fruean's lack of versatility might count against him, although there is nothing to say that the All Blacks coaches won't see him as a centre who can cover wing. Certainly they have gone down that path with Kahui and the sight of Fruean terrorising Australian defences in concert with giant midfield mate Sonny Bill Williams must have them purring about his potential.
We suspect it's possible that, injuries permitting, the All Blacks might add Fruean, Dagg and Sivavatu to their travelling party with the unlucky Jane and Rokocoko to miss out. What a problem to have.
There must be delight too that Fruean, along with Dagg, Maitland and Guildford, are safely housed in the Canterbury environment.
Notwithstanding its reputation for developing potential all three are being given the opportunity of playing alongside Dan Carter.
The expectation of Carter's excellence has meant that his form has been something of the untold story so far this year. But there has more than just the fine goalkicking and game control. There is an explosiveness and acceleration this year that serious injuries in the past few years might have dulled.
Relishing the extra attention Williams is bringing - probably off the field as well - Carter has been quick to spot a half gap and put the foot down. He takes on the voracious Highlanders loose forwards on Saturday, but watch how he'll be trying to exploit the lack of familiarity in their 10-12 channel. He seems back to his very best.
The same cannot be said of Conrad Smith during the entertaining but error-riddled Hurricanes v Chiefs game, but the clever No.13 is one of those players who has built up a vast amount of much capital with the selectors in recent years.
Despite a few uncharacteristic errors on Saturday, Smith remains the best defensive back in New Zealand, in the most important position, and offers the perfect foil to the power that Williams or Ma'a Nonu bring at No.12.
The injuries: Ali Williams will miss a month with a hamstring injury and McCaw's recovery from his tricky metatarsal injury is taking longer than expected, which will be no surprise to fans of English football who have watched David Beckham and Wayne Rooney struggle with similar injuries and turn up to World Cups as shadows of their former selves.
The wildcard: Last week we mentioned one Highlander lock, Jarrad Hoeata, this week it's the turn of another, Josh Bekhuis. His tussle with Sam Whitelock on Saturday could be a cracker.
The question of Richie McCaw's back-up has gobbled up so much attention that last week's departure of Mils Muliaina for a month with a back injury went under the radar.
Although there is no suggestion that Muliaina won't be fully restored to take his place in the World Cup starting side, the lack of anxiety over his absence speak volumes about the Kiwis' plethora of outside backs.
And the continued growth of Robbie Fruean - who will already be giving Adam Ashley-Cooper nightmares - has further complicated a selection area that is stacking up to be the most hotly contested.
Expressed simply, the likes of Fruean, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Israel Dagg, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Cory Jane, Zac Guildford, Sitiveni Sivavatu, Hosea Gear and now Sean Maitland can't all fit into the squad.
Of those Toeva and Gear most likely booked their places with strong end-of-season tours, but the rampaging form of Fruean - not even fear could take Ashley-Cooper from his grasp, although the Brumby oddly appears to be lacking some conditioning - has put the rest on notice.
Fruean's lack of versatility might count against him, although there is nothing to say that the All Blacks coaches won't see him as a centre who can cover wing. Certainly they have gone down that path with Kahui and the sight of Fruean terrorising Australian defences in concert with giant midfield mate Sonny Bill Williams must have them purring about his potential.
We suspect it's possible that, injuries permitting, the All Blacks might add Fruean, Dagg and Sivavatu to their travelling party with the unlucky Jane and Rokocoko to miss out. What a problem to have.
There must be delight too that Fruean, along with Dagg, Maitland and Guildford, are safely housed in the Canterbury environment.
Notwithstanding its reputation for developing potential all three are being given the opportunity of playing alongside Dan Carter.
The expectation of Carter's excellence has meant that his form has been something of the untold story so far this year. But there has more than just the fine goalkicking and game control. There is an explosiveness and acceleration this year that serious injuries in the past few years might have dulled.
Relishing the extra attention Williams is bringing - probably off the field as well - Carter has been quick to spot a half gap and put the foot down. He takes on the voracious Highlanders loose forwards on Saturday, but watch how he'll be trying to exploit the lack of familiarity in their 10-12 channel. He seems back to his very best.
The same cannot be said of Conrad Smith during the entertaining but error-riddled Hurricanes v Chiefs game, but the clever No.13 is one of those players who has built up a vast amount of much capital with the selectors in recent years.
Despite a few uncharacteristic errors on Saturday, Smith remains the best defensive back in New Zealand, in the most important position, and offers the perfect foil to the power that Williams or Ma'a Nonu bring at No.12.
The injuries: Ali Williams will miss a month with a hamstring injury and McCaw's recovery from his tricky metatarsal injury is taking longer than expected, which will be no surprise to fans of English football who have watched David Beckham and Wayne Rooney struggle with similar injuries and turn up to World Cups as shadows of their former selves.
The wildcard: Last week we mentioned one Highlander lock, Jarrad Hoeata, this week it's the turn of another, Josh Bekhuis. His tussle with Sam Whitelock on Saturday could be a cracker.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
All Blacks call-up gun rookie
Marc Hinton, www.stuff.co.nz | November 5, 2009 - 11:13AM
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says he means "no disrespect" to Wales with his experimental lineup named today featuring six changes to the XV that started the last test in Tokyo.
There's a Test debut for Zac Guildford, a surprise promotion for Jason Eaton and a reprieve for Jerome Kaino among Henry's surprisingly new-look lineup to meet a buoyant Welsh outfit here at the Millennium Stadium.
There's also a chance for Brendon Leonard at halfback, a second test cap for Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett and a return to No 8 for Kieran Read.
Also the injured Dan Carter, who sat out the All Blacks' first full training run in Neath, has been included subject to his calf haematoma healing in time. The classy five-eighth will be given as long as he needs to prove his fitness.
Henry and his fellow coaches have been consistent on this trip preaching a line that they aim to find out if certain players are good enough to remain on the test scene - and to that end they need to play them to discover the hard truth.
In that respect the coaches have been true to their word.
Two of the changes, of course, were forced by the suspensions of wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock, but four aren't, and considering that this is just second game in and the All Blacks are coming off an accomplished performance against Australia, that's an uncharacteristically high number.
"We've selected a strong side," said Henry. "The policy on this tour is to give everybody an opportunity. We need to know if all these players are up to international standard and they get opportunities to prove that.
"We're using this game for one or two of those question marks. We know we're in for a big game. It was a big game last year and it's the same this year.
"It is no disrespect to Wales... let's try to make that very clear. It's a very strong side.
"It's a selection going forward and it gives this group of players an opportunity to say 'I'm an international footballer of quality'. We can't judge them unless they play."
Starting up front, towering Canterbury loosehead prop Crockett will earn just his second test cap in the absence of Woodcock, where he'll get a crack at Welsh "bolter" Paul James at scrum time. "He's done a huge apprenticeship, he's played very well at the level below, and is a senior player in the Crusaders pack which is pretty dominant," said Henry.
Perhaps the surprise choice of the lot is in the second row where Tom Donnelly's impressive start in test rugby hits a speed bump, and he swaps places with hirsute Taranaki lock Jason Eaton who gets his first test start since August 19, 2006.
All four of Eaton's test appearances this year have been off the bench and the Welsh test will represent just a fifth start in 15 international appearances.
Donnelly could be considered unlucky after two impressive tests in which he played a major part in addressing the team's lineout problems, but Eaton very much comes into the category of "player on trial" as the coaches put the pressure on him to match the Otago lock's efforts.
"Jason's been on the fringe of international rugby for a long time," added Henry. "He needs an opportunity to prove to us he's a top quality international player."
There are two changes in the loose trio, and neither of them are massive surprises. Jerome Kaino replaces Otago's Adam Thomson on the blindside flank, with this selection also about giving a seasoned player his chance to impress, while Kieran Read is back at No 8 after veteran Rodney So'oialo got the nod in Tokyo.
The versatile Thomson has very much usurped Kaino as the first-choice No 6, but this represents Kaino's chance to shout out "don't forget me" among the cacophony at the Millennium.
Read is restored to the position he held for the second half of the Tri-Nations and the solid Cantab has a further chance to underline his status as the squad's top back-of-the-scrum man.
At halfback Brendon Leonard takes over from Jimmy Cowan in another of those selections aimed squarely at giving a down-on-form player a chance to remind the coaches of his class. No pressure, Brendon.
Perhaps the most predictable change of all is also the most exciting one out on the left wing, where gifted young Magpies flyer Zac Guildford earns what should be a memorable, and emotional, test debut at the tender age of 20.
He will go head to head against Welsh 20-year-old marvel Leigh Halfpenny, the player who said this week the time when players were in awe of the All Blacks "has gone".
Henry said Guildford was "pretty excited" by the opportunity to crown his dramatic rugby year with his first test cap.
"He's had his challenges during the year, he's met them well, he's used them as motivation and he's achieved a goals earlier than he'd expecyed I'd imagine," said Henry.
Otago's Ben Smith will also make his test debut if he's required off the bench.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Brendon Leonard; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says he means "no disrespect" to Wales with his experimental lineup named today featuring six changes to the XV that started the last test in Tokyo.
There's a Test debut for Zac Guildford, a surprise promotion for Jason Eaton and a reprieve for Jerome Kaino among Henry's surprisingly new-look lineup to meet a buoyant Welsh outfit here at the Millennium Stadium.
There's also a chance for Brendon Leonard at halfback, a second test cap for Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett and a return to No 8 for Kieran Read.
Also the injured Dan Carter, who sat out the All Blacks' first full training run in Neath, has been included subject to his calf haematoma healing in time. The classy five-eighth will be given as long as he needs to prove his fitness.
Henry and his fellow coaches have been consistent on this trip preaching a line that they aim to find out if certain players are good enough to remain on the test scene - and to that end they need to play them to discover the hard truth.
In that respect the coaches have been true to their word.
Two of the changes, of course, were forced by the suspensions of wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock, but four aren't, and considering that this is just second game in and the All Blacks are coming off an accomplished performance against Australia, that's an uncharacteristically high number.
"We've selected a strong side," said Henry. "The policy on this tour is to give everybody an opportunity. We need to know if all these players are up to international standard and they get opportunities to prove that.
"We're using this game for one or two of those question marks. We know we're in for a big game. It was a big game last year and it's the same this year.
"It is no disrespect to Wales... let's try to make that very clear. It's a very strong side.
"It's a selection going forward and it gives this group of players an opportunity to say 'I'm an international footballer of quality'. We can't judge them unless they play."
Starting up front, towering Canterbury loosehead prop Crockett will earn just his second test cap in the absence of Woodcock, where he'll get a crack at Welsh "bolter" Paul James at scrum time. "He's done a huge apprenticeship, he's played very well at the level below, and is a senior player in the Crusaders pack which is pretty dominant," said Henry.
Perhaps the surprise choice of the lot is in the second row where Tom Donnelly's impressive start in test rugby hits a speed bump, and he swaps places with hirsute Taranaki lock Jason Eaton who gets his first test start since August 19, 2006.
All four of Eaton's test appearances this year have been off the bench and the Welsh test will represent just a fifth start in 15 international appearances.
Donnelly could be considered unlucky after two impressive tests in which he played a major part in addressing the team's lineout problems, but Eaton very much comes into the category of "player on trial" as the coaches put the pressure on him to match the Otago lock's efforts.
"Jason's been on the fringe of international rugby for a long time," added Henry. "He needs an opportunity to prove to us he's a top quality international player."
There are two changes in the loose trio, and neither of them are massive surprises. Jerome Kaino replaces Otago's Adam Thomson on the blindside flank, with this selection also about giving a seasoned player his chance to impress, while Kieran Read is back at No 8 after veteran Rodney So'oialo got the nod in Tokyo.
The versatile Thomson has very much usurped Kaino as the first-choice No 6, but this represents Kaino's chance to shout out "don't forget me" among the cacophony at the Millennium.
Read is restored to the position he held for the second half of the Tri-Nations and the solid Cantab has a further chance to underline his status as the squad's top back-of-the-scrum man.
At halfback Brendon Leonard takes over from Jimmy Cowan in another of those selections aimed squarely at giving a down-on-form player a chance to remind the coaches of his class. No pressure, Brendon.
Perhaps the most predictable change of all is also the most exciting one out on the left wing, where gifted young Magpies flyer Zac Guildford earns what should be a memorable, and emotional, test debut at the tender age of 20.
He will go head to head against Welsh 20-year-old marvel Leigh Halfpenny, the player who said this week the time when players were in awe of the All Blacks "has gone".
Henry said Guildford was "pretty excited" by the opportunity to crown his dramatic rugby year with his first test cap.
"He's had his challenges during the year, he's met them well, he's used them as motivation and he's achieved a goals earlier than he'd expecyed I'd imagine," said Henry.
Otago's Ben Smith will also make his test debut if he's required off the bench.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Brendon Leonard; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith.
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