Coles gets ABs call-up

Coles gets ABs call-up

30 Jul 2012

Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has been invited to the All Blacks’ two-day training camp that will be held in Wellington this week.

Fairfax News reports that Coles is the only new face in the 29-man squad. The group excludes Chiefs players, as the Hamilton team will be involved in the Super Rugby final this week.

‘We already know a lot about Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn and Hika Elliot and now it’s Dane Coles’ chance to come into the All Blacks environment and it gives us the opportunity to see him at closer quarters,’ said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

Locks Ali Williams and Luke Romano are currently injured, as is centre Conrad Smith, but have still been invited to the camp.

The camp will take place on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

All Blacks training squad (excluding Chiefs players): Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Ma’a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Zac Guildford, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson.


7 Comments

  • 1.stew: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 09:08 am

    Dark dragons

  • 2.Brads: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 09:12 am

    Hansen has said that SBW’s selection in the final training squad if a no brainer.

    He is the form NZ mid fielder and has been playing world class rugby.

  • 3.puff: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 09:26 am

    Add Clarke, Retalick, Cane, Messam, Kerr-Barlow, Cruden and Williams and the ABs have an exceptional squad for the Rugby Championship.

    Consider that the likes of Ali Williams, Kieran Read, Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui are out injured but will return to full fitness.

    Plus Jerome Kaino should return to NZ soil after the next two years…

    Just when the ABS started to look thin at lock, loose forward, scrumhalf and flyhalf, in steps the likes of Retalick, Cane, Smith, Kerr-Barlow, Cruden and Barret.

  • 4.puff: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 09:29 am

    And Wallaby team looking to take shape for Rugby Championship.
    No O Connor though as he’s out injured.
    Sharpe has agreed to soldier on as they are very thin at lock with Horwill out for a while.
    But I reckon Deans will go with:

    1. Robinson 2. Polota Nau 3. Kepu 4. Simmons 5. Sharpe 6. Pocock 7. Hooper 8. Higgenbotham 9. Genia 10. Barnes 11. Ioane 12. McCabe 13, Ashley-Cooper 14. Mitchell 15. Beale

    16. Alexander 17. Moore 18. Dennis 19. Samo 20. Phipps 21. Cooper 22. Faingaa

    Dangerous side.

  • 5.puff: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 09:35 am

    And the Boks?

    1. Mtawarira 2. Du Plessis 3. Du Plessis 4. Etzebeth 5. Bekker 6. Coetzee 7. Alberts 8. Kankowski 9. Hougaard 10. Steyn 11. Habana 12. Steyn 13. De Villiers 14. Pieterson 15. Kirchner

    16. Strauss 17. Kruger 18. Kruger 19. Spies or Daniel 20. Pienaar 21. Lambie 22. Engelbrecht or Aplon

    The above is who I think Meyer will go with – not necessarily all my choices (especially the halfbacks).
    Coenie Oosthuizen, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Johann Goosen and Bjorn Basson out injured.
    Plus I reckon Vermeulen may be given time to get fit in Currie Cup.
    Wynand Olivier off to Japan.
    Kankowski is too but I think Meyer may work hard to have him in the squad, considering Spies’s ineffectiveness, Vermeulen’s lack of fitness and Kanko’s blistering form.
    JDV is gutted after semi-final losses, admitting to his own doubts re captaincy.
    Not a good space in which to move onto test rugby.
    Aussie squad have been training together for a bit now.
    ABs have awesome squad and if they get momentum by winning Super 15, Meyer will have his work cut out for him.

  • 6.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm

    Boks could have a great squad if they wanted to but this infatuation with current gameplay will limit squad quality

    Sharks beat the ultra conservative Stormers playing a more total style of rugby.and of course JP

    Bok squad to rival any team even AB’s would be:

    1 Beast 2.Bismark 3.Jannie 4.Etsebeth 5.Bekker 6.Brussow 7.Alberts 8.Kankowski 9.Hougaard 10.Jantjies 11.Habana 12.Steyn 13 JP 14.Aplon 15.Lambie

    16.Chilliboy 17.Coenie 18.J.Kruger 19.Coetzee 20.Pienaar 21.De Villiers 22.Mvovo

    23.Greyling 24.Strauss 25.Daniel 26.Morne 27.De Jongh 28.Mapoe

  • 7.puff: Reply to this comment
    30 Jul 2012, 14:06 pm

    Mshini

    I don’t think Hougaard has the tactical skill level required for Bok 9 just yet.
    Maybe start Pienaar and introduce Hougaard in the 2nd half once the game’s opened up.
    Goosen is the most exciting prospect at 10.
    Coenie and Strauss would be my choice for bench front row forawards.
    Would dig to see Steph Du Toit, Kolisi and Taute get opportunities relatively soon.
    Taute, IMO, could become a very useful utility back for the Boks.

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