All Blacks snub Cowan
14 May 2012
Jimmy Cowan has been omitted from the All Blacks’ 35-man training squad while Piri Weepu has made the cut.
Cowan was considered the All Blacks first-choice scrumhalf at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand, but has struggled to command a starting spot at the Highlanders in 2012. The fact that he will be leaving New Zealand shortly to take up a contract with Gloucester may also have counted against him.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has also left Zac Guildford and Corey Flynn out of the squad, two players who featured at the 2011 World Cup.
Eight youngsters have impressed enough during this year’s Super Rugby competition to receive a call up. Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Brad Shields, Brodie Retallick and Ben Tameifuna have all made the initial cut, and may be in line for a Test cap when the squad is trimmed to 30 ahead of the first Test against Ireland.
Colin Slade, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric and Isaia Toeava are unavailable because of injuries.
‘Our main aim is to begin to prepare a squad to win the series against Ireland; and secondly, it gives us the opportunity to introduce and work with some younger, talented players in the All Blacks environment,’ said Hansen.
‘We will use the time in the camps to work on some of the protocols, expectations and disciplines that are needed to succeed in the All Blacks, plus it will also give us a little bit of training time to work on some new things.’
All Blacks training squad – Charlie Faumuina, Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock., Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson.
85 Comments
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14 May 2012, 14:14 pm
Ali Williams is a joke..
should not bethere
14 May 2012, 14:15 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-47:
Not sure why Jarrad Hoeata has dropped off the radar.
He is not long back from injury,
but that should not have been an issue, if they had faith in his ability.
14 May 2012, 14:17 pm
and how did Luke Ramona bench warmer get selected over Tom Donnelly???
Ramona another Ross, Bryn Evans one test AB
14 May 2012, 14:51 pm
Interesting that the starting loose forward trio for the 2011 U20 championship team — Shields, Whitelock, Cane — all picked. Shields in particular is promising, I think he’s also qualified for England too.
Andre Taylor damned unlucky. Problem is NZ with back 3 players is lack SA with loose forwards — probably 7/8 international quality players for 3 slots.
Ali Williams in because lock is a position where NZ currently has little to no depth. My guess would be Rettalick and Whitelock will be the 1st choice pairing.
14 May 2012, 16:52 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-53:
Bryn Evans,Isaac Ross,Ross Fillipo,Jason Eaton,Brad Mika,Greg Rawlinson etc
@cane(cane)-41: @cane(cane)-41:
Dont think they will breakup patnership of Nonu/Smith even for SBW
Kahui injured
Crockett is a loosehead prop so cant replace Owen who is a tighthead and then Ben Franks plays both sides so trumps Crockett for brnch spot
14 May 2012, 16:58 pm
New Zealand selector Grant Fox will be on Reunion tomorrow to discuss the selections, so don’t miss it!
14 May 2012, 18:43 pm
Every World Cup Winning Team Always Seems to keep the core of the team for another 4 years thinking that the expirance will pay off
Which is never the case
SA-2007-2011
ENG-2003-2007
& Now the All Blacks
Its time for Hanson to let go of the likes of Keven,Richie,Dan,Andrew,Williams,Weepu,Nanu etc
They’ll all average 36 come the next WC & All are injury prone players
14 May 2012, 22:38 pm
@storiejoernal(storiejoernal)-57:
Nz learnt their lesson in 1991 when they took an aging team to England Wc91. Some of those players you mentioned may still be around come 2015 Wc if they are good enough, who knows…….. Abs know they have to invest in youth over the next four years if they have a shot at winning in Japan 2015. Its started already with the introduction of I think 11 players who haven’t played a test……then you add Cruden, V. Vito, Crockett and Ben Smith with very little test experience……Ab veterans will bring these young ones on, and when they are ready, you will see the retirement from test Rugby of many of the older guys from 2011.
14 May 2012, 22:43 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-51: I agree totally,.. he has become another Matfield, spends too much time swanning out in the backline and directing traffic at the rucks instead of getting stuck in…
his play for the Blues hasnt even been ITM level…
should fck off to the NH already and earn his pension.
14 May 2012, 23:05 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-59:
Matfield has never ever dished up the sh*t Williams is doing for Blues at present
Oh and the fact that Matfield is only lock to be selected as an IRB Player of the Yr nominee…Twice
Williams was once an awesome player but the injuries have taken their toll.Showed flashes of ability last year but overall has lost a great deal of his athleticism.
Ali must call it a day or go to Japan
14 May 2012, 23:07 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-58:
Getting a bit ahead of myself …. shot at winning in England….not Japan
14 May 2012, 23:12 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-60: we’ll have to disagree, Matfield never lost his line out skills, and only at the WC did his play resemble what it once was…
but I do hope he comes out of retirement to prove me wrong
14 May 2012, 23:18 pm
Ali Williams form this year has been poor…..I don’t like the guy…..but he is our most experienced lock…….need some experience in our locks when we take on the Irish…..who are usually very good in that dept. I see Retallick being brought on and at sometime soon he will usurp Williams…….hopefully we will have another lock who is good enough to kick Williams off the bench.
14 May 2012, 23:26 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-63: kia ora … Boric when back from injury?
Whitelock has enough experience at lock in my opinion, has been there for a couple of seasons already… but agree, think Shag will go with the Whitelock/Williams starting against the Oirish and then use Retallick at some stage through the first test..
14 May 2012, 23:33 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-63: @poppa69(poppa69)-64:
Williams is over the hill boys,big time. If you want experience why not pick Jason Eaton who seems to be regaining some of his old form.He is playing better than Williams. Tom Donnelly is also a better option that Williams at present
Blindside flank without Kaino doesnt look too flash neither(refuse to pick Manu-went for Vito & Thompson)…And outside McCaw…openside(Cane)???
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-53:
Add Kevin O’Neil,Angus MacDonald
lock caps for AB’s in last 8 years or so…*cough*
14 May 2012, 23:36 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-64:
Boric….He is mo better especially when your looking for a 4 lock with some physicality…Boric isnt that. Only Romano & Hoeatta fit that role..Strange bot picking Hoeatta.
Retallick,Boric,Williams,Whitelock-all 5 athletic lineout locks.
14 May 2012, 23:41 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-65: I agree on Williams, shouldnt even be in the Blues side… Eaton a possibility, but hasnt really impressed in Black either… I would have thought Clarke from the chiefs may have been invited, has had a good season and does get through a ton of work.. Donnelly hasnt had a good season imo…
Blindside is our weakness for sure, and personally think Vto gives much better balance with Read/McCaw then Thompson, but Thompsons form probably demands a start… I am a fan of Manu, and am uncertain as to moving Read to his original position as blindside to accomodate Manu at 8.. dont think you can move Read who is amongst the best in the 8 position these days
14 May 2012, 23:43 pm
Excited about Savea pick though
Whats so impressive about Savea is his IMPROVED skillset in less than a year.Last yr he was a wee bit raw,weak under high ball,missed tackles and knocked on balls.Error rate was high. This yr he seems alot more polished and his option taking has been top class…And well with ball in hand he is a STUD period. Often the transition for the poerful backs takes longer from age group to seniors(ex: Rene Ranger,Robbie Freuan,Isaia Toeava etc) and sometimes never at all..Savea looks to be different.
14 May 2012, 23:45 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-66: Hoeata has struggled since injury and has not displayed his form from last year..but yeah, Thorns and Kainos departure has really opened the Rugby Championship up for both Sa and Aus..
both teams will feel they can out muscle the AB pack now..
14 May 2012, 23:50 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-66: Id still take Boric over Williams though
14 May 2012, 23:51 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-67:
Agreed.Clarke has been very good for a while now,hard worker.Any of Donnelly,Eaton etc would be better than Ali.
Manu plays more like a blindside anyway. If u watch Landers he is their physical leader at ball carries and attrictional play. Thompson is the link player and covers at the back more so actually he plays the 8 role.Manu can fulfill blindside role better than Vito who is a racehorse type…lacks hard edge than manu has.Read wouldnt have to move at all. Vito played more 8 than blindside as well so why would he be a better fit at 6 than Manu and not move Read???(same dynamic if we look at it from your analysis)
Thompson & Vito are not blindsides. Vito will have to be forced and groomed to make transition to that attrictional blindside like Kaino was but itll take a couple season like Kaino.manu already plays that way.
15 May 2012, 00:04 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-71: agree on Manu, will have to wait and see exactly how hansen approaches it… this is the squad for Ireland, so think we have enough there to do the business..
I agree about Savea, seems to have come on much like Cruden has lifted his game… both have obviously worked hard to overcome their deficiencies..not sure he’ll get to start though, probably a bench option at this stage, to be blooded throughout the series..
I do like the fact Hansen has quite a few youngsters who played in the WC under 20s a season or two ago in his squad, shows he is planning ahead but some selections are a real concern..
The bloke I am most pleased for is tamati Ellison, really deserves to be there..
gotta run Mish, cheers..
15 May 2012, 00:16 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-72:
Yeah Savea looks very good so far.Should bench and be blooded with time.Cruden also better this year but decision making still a concern.Butchered so many tries this season with wrong option.
Yeah some very nice young selections by Hansen,some yeah very left field.We shall see
Tamati Ellison has been phenomenal, fact he hasnt really taken a break from japan and slotted in so seamlessly.Arguably the most consistent 13 in comp in first 12 rounds. Very very good player.Always like him,versatile too
Cheers mate.
15 May 2012, 04:03 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-71:
totally agree.
I am big Manu fan – deserves a place.
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-66:
agree. Boric lacks aggression alround. Lot of hype around him which has not brought fruit. Boric one of those special Henry projects.
15 May 2012, 05:05 am
I think Boric before he got injured this season was finally starting to show what GH saw in him. the injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for him really.
15 May 2012, 06:11 am
@storiejoernal(storiejoernal)-57: It is hard for a coach to let them go. The Wallabies in 1995 were another example.
15 May 2012, 06:20 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-76:
Bok coach of 2012 also showing the symptoms of hardtoletthemgo virus.
15 May 2012, 06:26 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-77: Hopefully those ideas of recalling retired players are false or do not extend beyond the England series. The most exciting players in SA at the moment are overwhelmingly young guns jumping up and grabbing their chances.
15 May 2012, 06:34 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-77: its a particular nasty virus too the hardtoletthemgo one
symptoms include inane ramblings, delusions of grandeur and in some extreme cases coulrophobia, severe cases found in some examples indicate the victims willingness to be subserviant, which can be sub-categorised by the health industries applicable euphemism of ” ruled by the fat boys club”..
I think the cooler climes of NZ may limit its effect somewhat, but it has been known to exist there also
15 May 2012, 06:37 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-12:
thats what the Argies are saying about the PrickBoks.
15 May 2012, 06:38 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-78:
True……..exciting young prospects for SA…….. you are right about the retired ones, if picked, hope it isn’t long term.
15 May 2012, 06:44 am
@PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-80: Considreing the “Prickboks” only exist in your imagination we’ll have to take your word for it.
15 May 2012, 07:17 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-77:
agree.
15 May 2012, 08:06 am
Sir Graham Henry’s views on the squad…
link – http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/202-75-dan-is-still-the-main-man-by-graham-henry
Graham Henry
Former New Zealand Coach
about 18 hours ago
Steve Hansen has been around the All Blacks too long to make the mistakes I made when picking my first New Zealand squad in 2004. We went with too many players who had been around. We were finding our way as coaches and thought that test match experience was all-important. It helps, but when players are coming to the end, they are not going to get any better. Steve is already looking to the future.
I still expect him to pick his experienced players for the first test against Ireland this summer. I imagine Sam Whitelock will pair up with Ali Williams in a pack without surprises and that Andy Ellis will start at half back. But the young players that have been brought into the squad are all part of the evolution.
I don’t think you could call it a surprise to say that Sonny Bill Williams is likely to start. It is sensible to give Ma’a Nonu a rest. He’s hitting a wall. He’s played 18 months of football without a break. So Sonny will probably start against Ireland. That will get Ma’a moving again and by the Tri Nations he will be raring to go.
There has been talk of moving Dan Carter out to 12 and, looking back 8 years, that is where he started in my first match in charge against England. But I’m sure Dan will be selected at 10. At the moment there is a subconscious protection of his body going on that even he may not be fully aware of. Dan is playing 75% with the reins on.
But as the international season comes around and championship football returns, Dan will get back to his best. He’s not lost the ability. I am sure Steve sees him as a 10 who can cover 12. That gives selection flexibility, but Dan will be selected at first five, as well as Aaron Cruden is playing.
Cruden has been outstanding for the Chiefs and it is good to see so many young players coming through in positions where we have been thin in recent years. At 10 Beauden Barrett and Tom Taylor are also part of the future. Steve continues to look ahead by bringing in Sam Cane even though he hasn’t been starting at the Chiefs. With Richie now 31, the coach has to give himself that cover.
And of all the young players coming through, Brodie Retallick has been perhaps most impressive of all. Canterbury must wonder how they let him go. That’s a surprise. Retallick has been outstanding and is going to play a great deal of international football. It is just a question of when. International football brings the best out of Ali Williams and he will probably get first crack.
With Piri Weepu struggling, Kerr-Barlow or Aaron Smith will probably start on the bench as the back-up for Ellis. In the pack Luke Whitelock and Brad Shields will have to wait a little longer. Their time may even by a couple of years away still, but it is all part of the evolution.
When I picked my first team Xavier Rush and Jono Gibbes were in the back row. They had both been playing well at Super 12 and were both captains of their franchises. But they didn’t last. Before long Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo had come in. The beauty for Steve is that he doesn’t have to find his way. He has already been there for 8 years.
11 of the All Blacks 14 strong management team at the World Cup are back from last year. 20 of the World Cup squad are back, with several of the absent 10 either injured or retired. Steve has a wealth of experience there and he has brought in a lot of youngsters. He has the best of both worlds. Long live the evolution.
15 May 2012, 08:23 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-84: Good article
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