He offers us something different from the rest.

I think the choice b/t him and Perenara was an easy one...

Hmmm, who was that?

Ah, now I get it. He's one of "them":

The Reds were talking about how the defence around the fringes was lacking a bit for the Chiefs. In the last two games the Chiefs have conceded 8 tries and one of those games was against the bottom of the table Lions. Leonard started both of these games where as when TKB was starting they were averaging about 1 try conceded per game. Hopefully the inclusion of TKB in this squad w/o Leonard will encourage a change for the starting half back spot for the Chiefs.

It's his appetite for work that I love about TKB.

He's still very raw, and takes some poor options at times, but he can break the game open better than any other halfback in the country.

Holy shit, this squad is all over the place. I'm very happy with it though shows they've got the balls to make judges and big calls based on what they see that maybe we don't. Tamiefuna and TKB big surprises for the Chiefs and Luke Whitelock! Any possibility Reads injury could affect him?

Beats me too. Wasn't Walter Little, b. 14 October 1969. Who, Mr Mike?

First match was at age 19 and 344 days, test debut was 20 and 84 days

Too many Blues players.

how can we pull up our messeges from last year so I can view my messege where I posted that Kerr-Barlow would be an all black

Nor Innes, Timu, Ridge or Inga as they're all 1969 as well.

Yep. And even I wouldn't say Weepu was that lucky. He's a known entity at this stage. Get him into the camp, see where he's really at, and take it from there.

It'll be interesting to see what happens if Boric comes good over the next month or so...

Would have Eaton (who has been doing a mountain of unsung work in the canes forward pack) there instead of Williams.

But otherwise, can't complain to much...

not suprised considering Savea is in the squad. They get the similar skill sets with Savea and he's in better form. Hosea's defense can be flakey and Savea has improved his aerial skills alot.

If Gear doesn't make it this season you'd suspect he'll head north.

Interesting group. Does anyone know how many get culled ahead of the formal Irish squad is named?

Williams and Weepu are extremely lucky to be there but despite my feelings I can forgive a coach throwing a get out of jail card to veterans once in a while.

Our back row looms as the biggest worry for me. If McCaw or Read go down we are in some trouble and with Kaino gone there is a serious balance issue.

I will be very interested to see if Shields can train on and pleased they picked him. He has the raw physicality that we need at 6 and one for the future I hope.

Thank fuck, ive been very disappointed with his D

Goldie Mike?

Wilson debuted in 93

I assume it is for Thomas Junior. His old man, Thomas, was a Wellington and NZ rep softballer and a rather handy golfer. More powerfully built than Junior and a very nice guy with it.

at 20.

Who else you got. I though Kronfeld was a chance as I know he was born in 70 or 71 but shirley wilson got there first despite being born in 73.

Nonu has been average in Super rugby for ages, he'll get picked and be brilliant.

It is astonishing how many U22s are in that squad. Your 1st XV will be plenty experienced, but behind that is is going to be incredibly raw.

I think Keith Quinn got it wrong...


gtaaf,

30 players get the call for the Ireland squad.

Latest here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/6917203/Reprieve-could-come-for-Guildford-or-Gear

Too many Aucklanders. I hope it's not contagious

Fixed

Just trying to think of the real young guys Mains brought in. Ellis maybe? He got in ahead of Wilson I think.

The discussion was about a member of the 1989 All Blacks.

Oh, right, sorry, thought it was the first guy born in the 70s. Who was it then?

It isn't anybody...

Clearly just bias from Foster.

I disagree. Players such as Tamati Ellison, Ben Smith, Wyatt Crockett may have minimal All Black experience but have been performing well for a long time at super rugby level. We have 2 veteran hookers and halfbacks and other positions already have established or experienced back up in Vito/Tompson, Nonu, Weepu, B. Franks, Mealamu and Cruden. Lock depth is the only problem I have in the immediate future and hooker in the short/mid term future. We also have some players who may be seen at the rugby championship whom aren't in the squad for the Irish tour. Hansen is on record as saying players such as Messam, Guilford and Gear are still in the running but they want to check out some of the very promising youth players. If the rookies falter then we have other players who can step in and we can let the rookies have another year to develop instead of Isaac Rossing them in the Rugby Championship.

Although this all relies on Hansen so who knows how it will turn out.

Wasn't an All Black, it was an Australian from a 1989 test vs NZ, a very young Timmy Horan.

In that squad, yeah. Who WAS the first though...

Lee Stensness

he's not just a crab, he's an infinite number of red nano-crabs that take the form of a flanker...when disassembled, he/they look like this:

Oh...

Yeah - he was OK, I guess.

Grrrr, this is an AB thread, not a bloody dingo one!

Furthermore is that 100% correct? There were no 18 year olds selected for a NH team or Argentina during this time? I don't trust Quinn, he probably missed a player while complaining that Michael Jones was the only player to ever carry his bags (apparently as part of ABs selection Quinn assumed players would be jumping up and down to carry his bags - sideline I know but as a comment it piised me off).

For the ABs, I assume the first 1970s player was Stensness as Flockwitt says - Ellis didn't play a test until EOYT in 03.

Not surprised that Perenara has been left out, he can get a liitl over eager on defence, though Kerr-Barlow's brainfarts can be damaging too.

The unluckiest of the form players is Taylor. But I guess he is seen as a direct contestant for Dagg's spot, and although Taylor's form has been vastly superior, it would be a big call to jettison Dagg.

It's also pretty obvious that Foster is grooming Luke Whitelock.

Isn't Foster the backs coach? Why would he be grooming Whitelock?

Taylor's form has been steadily dropping over the past few games - he seemed best when the Canes had no ball whatsoever and fed off counterattacks, but, he's still more worthy of a place than Barrett.

Got Jane, Ellison and Smith who can play full back. I can see why they didn't go for Taylor.

I am quite pleased with the selection. I think a few of these guys will take some time before they ever make it back to the squad but at least they will know what is required of them to be there.