Ted: Give Luke some space

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Rugbyheaven
Last updated 18:02 08/06/2009





BACK IN BLACK: Luke McAlister rips into his first All Blacks training session in two years after being called in for the test series against France and Italy.


BACK IN BLACK: Luke McAlister rips into his first All Blacks training session in two years after being called in for the test series against France and Italy.
Ma'a Nonu keeps his head warm as the All Blacks training in a chilly Dunedin ahead of the first test against France this weekend.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has pleaded for Luke McAlister to be given some space as the team prepares to open their test season against France in Dunedin this weekend.

McAlister has been rushed back into the squad to help cover off the injury problems in the backline created by Richard Kahui's season-ending shoulder injury.

But while McAlister made a solid return Down Under with his performance for the British Barbarians in their heavy loss to the Wallabies last weekend, it's unlikely he will start against France with Isaia Toeava expected to be wearing the No 13 jersey.

McAlister, who played at 10 and 12 in Sydney last Saturday night but has spent most of his two years with English club Sale at centre, joined the All Blacks in Dunedin for the first training run on Monday. It seems a bench role could be a possibility this weekend.

Henry, who watched the game live in Sydney, felt McAlister was the most creative Barbarians back but stressed some reality needed to be placed into his return to the test scene where he hasn't played since the 2007 World Cup loss.

His final few months at Sale were also wrecked by knee and hamstring injuries, meaning he is light on action at the moment.

"I think he is going to take time. Let's take the pressure off a wee bit," said Henry in a chilly Dunedin where he rated the All Blacks training a rusty six out of 10.

"He hasn't played for three and a half months and I don't think we can expect too much too quickly.

"But I think the basic qualities are there."

McAlister said he was excited at getting the call-up but felt it would take some time to get up to speed with the team's moves and calls.

The All Blacks, as expected, ruled Wellington centre Conrad Smith out of consideration for the opening test against France because of a hamstring injury that has complicated the midfield mix.

McAlister was meant to be making his way back into the New Zealand scene via the Junior All Blacks with Henry insisting his role there would have been at first five-eighths.

The Juniors have called in Canterbury No 10 Stephen Brett because of McAlister's rapid elevation.

Wellington backline utility Tamati Ellison as been named as captain of the Junior All Blacks for their IRB Pacific Nations Cup campaign.

The All Blacks starting XV will be named on Tuesday and it could be as follows: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
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Underestimate the All Blacks at your own peril

Coach Graham Henry has named his first squad of the year, notable more for the omissions rather than the squad itself.

Well over 200 test caps are absent, a swathe of players who are considered – on their best form – among World XV quality players.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw; his stand in captain last year, Rodney So’oialo; Sitiveni Sivivatu, probably the Super 14’s form winger; and Dan Carter, who finished last year as the best first five eighth in world rugby.

So despite a standout 2008 Test season, the All Black’s still continue to rebuild after losing a massive number of first choice and fringe Test players between the end of the most recent World Cup and the middle of last year such as Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Moses Tuiali’i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Doug Howlett.

So would the All Blacks be prepared to effectively concede the home series, Bledisloe and Tri Nations, as they wait out the absence of key players - to break their trend of their traditional period of “mid World Cup” dominance in view of the 2011 tournament, especially when considering the strength of Springbok rugby, and the apparent rising force of Robbie Deans Wallabies?

Not at all.

This is against the ethos of New Zealand rugby, a code that demands consistent success.

But think of the following players, who injury permitting, will be likely back in black by the end of the year: Richie McCaw (70 tests), Dan Carter (59 tests), Sitiveni Sivivatu (34 tests), Luke McAlister (22 tests), Rodney So’oialo (55 tests) and Chris Jack (67 tests).

That is 307 test caps.

Add that to the current named team, give or take a few matches, and that is a squad of over 850 Test match appearances, with the average age of 28-29 years.

Far beyond any other side in the world.

That would allow the New Zealand Test team to approach the next World Cup with the same foundation that Australia, England and South Africa had in their most recent William Webb Ellis triumphs - oerwhelming experience.

But for now the All Blacks look set to welcome Les Bleus and the Azzuri. The French were the last team to defeat New Zealand twice in consecutive matches at home.

To put this into perspective, since that series was held in 1994, the All Blacks have lost only six times in New Zealand. That almost averages to just one loss every three years in their backyard.

The Tricolours will mount a formidable challenge, though, with only players from Clermont and Perpignan being absent from the first Test in Dunedin on June 13th.

Equally Italy, while they are essentially no chance of downing the All Blacks at home, will provide a welcome challenge to the home team’s forward structures.

But it will be the Tri Nations that will have the most intrigue.

Numerous “experts” are already talking up the Springboks to a huge degree, basing a large amount of this conjecture on the Bulls‘ Super 14 win over the Chiefs.

But only once has a non-New Zealand team taken their Super rugby form to Tri Nation’s success - the Brumbies in 2001 - whereas the Blues’ three Super rugby wins led to New Zealand Tri Nations titles and five of the Crusaders wins led to the same.

Form aside, the Springboks or Wallabies will have to conquer history to wrest the Tri Nations title out of the All Blacks hands.

Since 1996, the All Blacks have won nine titles and lost only four, and currently sit on a four year title streak, the longest in its short history. They have won 39 matches and lost only 17.

Their two opponents have lost nearly twice that number, and between them have won only 44 games.

There is popular conjecture that the All Blacks have arguably the weakest team of all the Tri Nations teams this year.

But isn’t that what was said in 2008?

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Muliaina to captain All Blacks

'He has a great deal of respect and mana'
Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 14:07 31/05/2009
photo
Photosport
INJURED: Rodney So'oialo was among those not considered for All Blacks selection because of neck problems.
All Blacks squad named


Three new caps, a rookie skipper and the absence of an "injured" Rodney So'oialo are the features of Graham Henry's squad of 26 for the Iveco Series named in Auckland today.

Chiefs openside flanker Tanerau Latimer, and form Crusaders pair lock Isaac Ross and prop Wyatt Crockett are the three newcomers to international rugby named in a squad that is missing a who's who of New Zealand rugby, including regular skipper Richie McCaw and playmaking ace Daniel Carter.

And coach Graham Henry revealed today that his regular No 8 So'oialo was among those not considered for selection because of neck problems. There had been widespread speculation that the Hurricanes captain would not be named after struggling to find his best stuff in the Super 14, but Henry confirmed the 29-year-old, 55-test forward would use the next month to get himself back into optimum physical shape before rejoining the squad for the Tri-Nations.

The group for the first three tests of the year also features, in the absence of regular leader McCaw, a new captain in the shape of in-form Chiefs skipper Mils Muliaina.

Muliaina has played 68 tests in the black jersey but the opening international against France in Dunedin on June 13 will be the first in which he has led his country. It's a richly deserved honour, with Muliaina's form, respect and nous combining to make him the obvious choice in the absence of both McCaw and So'oialo.

"He's a highly respected guy within the squad, he's got a lot of mana with the troops, and we think he's done an outstanding job with the Chiefs this year," said Henry of his new skip.

"I spoke to him earlier this morning and obviously he was a bit disappointed with the result in South Africa but was delighted and feels very privileged to be able to captain the All Blacks."

Muliaina was one of six Chiefs - well beaten overnight in the Super 14 final in Pretoria - to make the 26-strong squad. The Blues have the strongest representation with eight, while the Hurricanes also have six, the Crusaders four and the Highlanders two.

McCaw (knee) and So'oialo (neck) are part of an experienced group not considered because of injury. That also includes Chiefs wing Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder), Blues lock Anthony Boric (toe), Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), Hurricanes loose forward Scott Waldrom (back), as well as the France-based Daniel Carter (Achilles tendon).
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Other features of the squad include the selection of just two specialist wings (Joe Rokocoko and Rudi Wulf), the decision to go with three halfbacks (Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu and Brendon Leonard), the designation of Weepu as the official backup at No 10 and confirmation that Chief Liam Messam is the frontrunner to succeed So'oialo as the test No 8.

There was also a dramatic promotion up the rankings for Hawke's Bay lock Bryn Evans who is the designated cover out of the Junior All Blacks for Ali Williams and could well end up in the match 22 for the Dunedin test.

Henry confirmed that Williams and Leonard had both been selected with the expectation they may not be quite right to start in Dunedin. He said there would be no risks taken with either player. Williams has been struggling with an Achilles tendon problem and Leonard is shaking off a hamstring tear.

Evans and Crusaders prop Owen Franks will join the All Blacks squad in Auckland this week as training camp cover, and Henry admitted there was a strong chance Evans could find himself in the test squad to face France in Dunedin.

Henry described Williams as "pretty perky" but admitted the coaches were "not 100 percent sure" about the experienced lock who missed a large chunk of the Super 14 with his Achilles injury.

"Our medical staff think he'll be right during the Iveco Series, but whether he's right for the first test is debatable," said the coach.

Later he admitted the strong likelihood was that Ross would start his first test against France in Dunedin alongside his Crusaders second-row team-mate Brad Thorn. In that case, forwards coach Steve Hansen said Evans would take the bench spot.

"It's a specialist position, something we think requires a specialist person at this level," said Hansen, confirming they would not look to cover the second row with one of the loose forwards.

"Evans comes with the skillset we're after. He's very good in the lineout, at kickoffs he's very strong, and he's got a very good aerial game. He's a tidy scrummager, and a good athlete. With experience we see him having a future in the All Black jersey, so we're comfortable bringing him in now."

Henry made it clear So'oialo's omission was on fitness issues alone, despite media speculation his form had contributed to the decision to stand him down.

"Rodney has not been dropped," said Henry. "He will be selected for the Tri-Nations. Rodney has played a huge amount of rugby, and he needs some time to rehab the neck and get himself into good nick."

Henry said Messam and Kieran Read were the contenders at No 8, and both he and Hansen appeared to give the Chiefs loose forward the inside running when they spoke of seeing him more as a back-of-the-scrum merchant than at No 6 where he appeared primarily in the Super 14.

Backs coach Wayne Smith said he saw the fullback and wing spots as being pretty much interchangeable within the squad, and confirmed that both Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava would be contenders on the wing as well as at fullback in the squad.

"We've tried to pick fullbacks with the pace of wingers and wingers with the skills of fullbacks," said Smith. "Our fullbacks can all play on the wing and our wings could predominantly play fullback because they've got the same skill levels."

It was those aerial and kicking skills that had, in the end, counted against Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga who had been arguably the surprise omission based on Super 14 form.

Others perhaps unlucky, or disappointed, to miss out on the All Blacks and have to settle for second-team (Junior ABs) selection, include: Sione Lauaki, Jamie Mackintosh and Anthony Tuitavake who all featured in last year's All Blacks.

Smith said the All Blacks coaches remained enamoured of Masaga, but "we've gone for a special skillset for the back three. We think at international level it's really important to take the high ball and kicking skills are critical. That's an area of the game he's working hard on and has just got to keep making progress on".

Hansen said Crockett had made his big improvements this year on his "core strength" and this had enabled him to surpass Mackintosh as the backup loosehead prop. He also felt livewire Highlanders loosie Adam Thomson would strongly challenge Latimer for the No 7 jersey against France.

"We think his skillset is tailor-made for No 7," said Hansen. "He's played a couple of test matches already for us and we're very happy how he went there. This season he's been in top form... he was one of the busiest tacklers, and one of the best turnover players in the [Super 14] tournament."

The All Blacks will have a training camp in Auckland from Wednesday to Friday this week and will assemble in Dunedin next Sunday to prepare for the June 13 test against France. After that they will play France, June 20 in Wellington, and Italy, June 27 in Christchurch.

All Blacks squad for Iveco series:

John Afoa (Auckland), Jimmy Cowan (Southland). Wyatt Crockett* (Canterbury), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Cory Jane (Wellington). Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Tanerau Latimer* (Bay of Plenty), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Isaac Ross* (Canterbury), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Adam Thomson (Otago), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).
* denotes new cap

Tipsters guide to the All Blacks squad - New Zealand - rugbyheaven.com.au

Tipsters guide to the All Blacks squad

Marc Hinton, www.stuff.co.nz | May 27, 2009 - 10:06AM

Bolters might be stretching it, but lock Isaac Ross and wing
Lelia Masaga shape as the two new faces when Graham Henry on Sunday
names his squad of 26 for the Iveco Series tests against France and
Italy.

Even then this pair may only be in the mix because of injury,
with the uncertain status of Ali Williams (Achilles tendon) and
initial absence of Anthony Boric (broken toe) opening things up in
the second row, and Sitiveni Sivivatu's dislocated shoulder meaning
there's room for a mover and shaker on the wing.

But otherwise don't expect Graham Henry to veer too far from the
tried and trusted when he names his squad at 2pm on Sunday from
Eden Park's Hall of Legends.

All Blacks coaches are notoriously loyal and conservative at the
best of times, but when their squad performed as well as Henry's
did in 2008 (collecting more silverware than a Remuera tea leaf) it
would be a major surprise if there was too much in the way of
change.

Henry will select 12 backs and 14 forwards in his initial squad,
a group that will not include Luke McAlister until it's extended by
a couple for the Tri-Nations campaign. It will also not have Dan
Carter, Boric, Sivivatu, Corey Flynn, and probably Williams and
Brendon Leonard as they all continue to rehabilitate their various
ailments.

Problem areas?

Well, if you want to be a little dramatic, there are certainly
some positions that will be giving Henry and his sidekicks a little
more pause for thought than others.

In no particular order, fourth prop (if they indeed pick four),
wing, second row, backup loosies, an understudy for Richie McCaw
and the cover for Stephen Donald at five-eighth appear to be the
key ponderables.

So, let's cover them off.

Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata and John Afoa should be automatic
selections at prop. Afoa hasn't played a lot, but he's now an
experienced campaigner and will be taken on trust, while Tialata's
now trademark inconsistencies with the Canes won't affect his
chances (the All Blacks tend to bring out the best in a man last
year rated by Henry "the world's best tighthead").

So if there's a fourth fatty included - and it's a tossup
between that or an extra loosie - it could be between looseheads
Jamie Mackintosh and Wyatt Crockett, though both of the Franks
brothers from the Crusaders might also be looked at. I'm going with
Mackintosh for two reasons: size matters in test rugby; and having
invested in him on last year's tour it doesn't make sense to cast
him on the scrapheap so soon.

Ad Feedback As an aside, I fully expect Andrew Hore and Keven
Mealamu to be the two hookers picked, but purely on form the
fast-rising Aled de Malmanche must surely be putting pressure on
Mealamu for the backup job. Neither are great throwers, but the
younger Chief is an ox with some big upside.

Locks could be the most interesting area of selection, with Brad
Thorn the only real certainty. On form you would have to give Ross,
who's had an outstanding Super 14 with the Crusaders, one spot and
it's then hard to look past Chief Kevin O'Neill for the other. Ross
is dynamic and athletic and would fill the Williams void nicely,
while O'Neill has presence and has had a solid season so far.
Jeremy Thrush, Craig Clarke and Tom Donnelly might be others in the
mix.

Henry has stated that he will look to select a specialist backup
for McCaw, which is something they didn't do last year. But once
bitten and all that.

I can't help but see Josh Blackie as the ideal man for that
role, but the new Blue had an injury-plagued Super 14 and it seems
will be left to work his way back via the Junior All Blacks. That
leaves Scott Waldrom and Tanerau Latimer as the two leading
contenders, with the Hurricanes forager the frontrunner.

So two opensides leaves three, maybe four, more slots to fill in
the loose forward contingent. Rodney So'oialo will be one of them
(despite a flat Super 14) and Jerome Kaino probably another. Liam
Messam and Adam Thomson are the next two (in that order), with
Keiran Read the unlucky one to miss out. No room for the enigmatic
Sione Lauaki also in a logjam of possibilities.

So to the backs, who pretty much pick themselves.

Injuries have spared the selectors the hard calls at halfback,
and it will likely be that Piri Weepu is also asked to cover for
Stephen Donald at No 10 until McAlister comes into the mix.

The midfield are all automatic selections, with Isaia Toeava the
utility man, fullback also, while wing is probably the only area
for conjecture.

Joe Rokocoko will be one, despite a ragged Super 14, and Masaga
will surely replace Sivivatu for X-factor alone. That leaves Rudi
Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake and maybe Hosea Gear (he's fit, but hasn't
played anything but club rugby of late) going for one spot. I'll
give it to Wulf, but there's a chance the selectors could look at
utilities like Richard Kahui, Toeava and Cory Jane and decide they
have enough cover.

Plenty to think about. For us amateur tipsters anyway. The men
who count will have already decided on their 26 before the
weekend's Super 14 final kicks off in Pretoria less than 12 hours
before their announcement.

In my squad below I've gone for only three props and six
loosies, acknowledging the attrition rate of that position. But
that could go vice-versa depending on the thinking of the three
wise men.

Here's what you need to know about the looming All Blacks
squad:

Certainties: Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, John
Afoa, Brad Thorn, Rodney So'oialo, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen
Donald, Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Joe
Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina.

Probabilities: Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Kevin
O'Neill, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Scott Waldrom, Lelia Masaga,
Rudi Wulf, Cory Jane,.

Possibilities: Aled de Malmanche, Jamie Mackintosh, Wyatt
Crockett, Isaac Ross, Jeremy Thrush, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read,
Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Anthony Tuitavake, Hosea Gear.

Injured, presumed missing: Corey Flynn, Ali Williams,
Anthony Boric, Brendon Leonard, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter,
Scott Waldrom.

Likely All Blacks squad: Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane,
Joe Rokocoko, Lelia Masaga, Rudi Wulf, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith,
Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan.
Forwards: Richie McCaw (capt), Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, John
Afoa, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Brad Thorn, Kevin O'Neill, Isaac
Ross, Rodney So'oialo, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson,
TBA.

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Why All Blacks selectors are still at sixes, sevens

Duncan Johnstone, Sunday Star Times | May 11, 2009 - 10:23AM

Richie McCaw is so good at his role he actually poses a major problem for the All Blacks heading towards RWC 2011.

They are overflowing with established and exciting options at blindside flanker and No 8 but the race to be McCaw's deputy as a specialist openside flanker remains wide open.

These days it's not a job with a lot of pluses. McCaw's value to the team as a leader and as the world's best seven mean that opportunities don't come along too often when you are working in his shadow.

It's that paucity of game time that has led McCaw's former deputies - Marty Holah, Chris Masoe and Daniel Braid - to all pack their bags in frustration.

It's a position that desperately needs to be filled. McCaw will require rest stops along the road the All Blacks travel over the next two years as they develop and refine their cup squad. He's operating under the recurring concussion worries that have already seen him twice spelled during this year's Super 14.

Significantly, the All Blacks lost two of the three tests McCaw missed last year with an ankle injury as Rodney So'oialo and Adam Thomson were pressed into makeshift openside cover from their preferred back row positions.

One man doesn't make a team but McCaw certainly goes close.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has spoken encouragingly of the alternatives starting to put their hands up.

"There are one or two other sevens [flankers] around the country who have played particularly well throughout the Super 14 and I think it is becoming quite competitive," he said without naming names.

Scott Waldrom got the backup role on the end of year tour and his trip summed up the scenario. He played against Munster midweek but didn't feature in any of the test 22s. He has pushed his cause with the Hurricanes, as has his main opponent late last year, Tanerau Latimer, with the Chiefs.

Josh Blackie's return from Japan has been blighted by the plague of injuries that have handicapped the Blues. Unlucky not to get an All Blacks callup during his original tour of duty with the Highlanders, Blackie simply needs more game time to convince the selectors second time around.

"He's had a couple of quality games. Is that enough? I think it's still a bit grey there," said Henry.

It could be that the All Blacks don't carry a specialist openside in their squad for the first phase of the season at home, preferring to keep McCaw's would-be understudy busy with the Junior All Blacks, who have thankfully been reinvented in 2009.

Jerome Kaino was the big mover last year as he upped his work rate, particularly with some ferocious defence, to join McCaw and So'oialo in the favoured starting trio of loose forwards.

They were a key to the All Blacks' success in a rebuilding season that unearthed Thomson, rewarded Kieran Read and Liam Messam and gave Waldrom his moment.

All four have had massive Super 14s, with Messam epitomising their further development this year.

"I think he has been fantastic. His leadership off the park has been great and on the park his play is just getting tougher and tougher," coach Ian Foster said of Messam's contribution to the Chiefs' strong Super 14 charge. "He has become a very influential rugby player. We are delighted with where he is at."

Another Chief, the enigmatic Sione Lauaki, is pushing his claims again.

Their versatility makes it difficult to pick who will miss out in the mix to be backups to So'oialo and Kaino.

It's a position the selectors would love to have at No 7.

Two Blues re-sign to All Blacks

Rugby: Two more senior All Blacks commit to World Cup
8:06AM Monday May 04,2009
All Blacks Tony Woodcock (top) and Ali Williams have re-signed with the NZRU until 2012.

Two key members of the All Blacks forward pack, Ali Williams and prop Tony Woodcock, have extended their contracts with New Zealand rugby through to 2012.

The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed the re-signing of the two 28-year-old Blues veterans last night.

Williams, made his All Blacks debut against England at London in November 2002 and has been a regular selection since, compiling 61 tests.

Woodcock made his All Blacks debut two weeks after Williams, against Wales at Cardiff, and he has played 49 tests.

NZRU chief executive was pleased two more senior All Blacks had made a commitment to New Zealand.

"They are both key guys for the All Blacks and their Super 14 franchises and we are very happy that we now have a number of key players who will be playing their rugby in New Zealand in the immediate future," Tew said.