Blues prop the new face in ABs squad
5 Aug 2012
Blues prop Charlie Faumuina is the only new player in the All Blacks 28-man squad for the Rugby Championship.
Faumuina was picked for the June Test series against Ireland after showing impressive form during Super Rugby. However, he missed out because of injury. His versatility in playing both sides of the front row sees him replace Chiefs tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna.
‘We would like to congratulate Charlie on his selection,’ said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. ‘He had to wait a while to get over his calf injury before he could be selected officially in the All Blacks, so it will be exciting for him and his family. He’s an outstanding front rower and we look forward to seeing him play at the next level.’
Sonny Bill Williams was expected to be in the All Blacks mix. But he hasn’t been included for now as the NZRU works around contractual issues over his move to Japan. That is expected to be completed later this week and he’s set to be involved during the Rugby Championship.
Conrad Smith has been selected, but is set to miss the first two Tests because of an eye injury.
Ali Williams misses out on selection after undergoing knee surgery. Other players who drop out from the June Test series squad are Zac Guildford and Beauden Barrett.
The All Blacks squad boasts 879 Test caps. The team will face Auckland and Counties Manukau in warm-up match on Friday.
All Blacks 28-man squad:
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock.
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Adam Thomson, Victor Vito.
Scrumhalves: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu.
Flyhalves: Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden.
Centres: Tamati Ellison, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea.
18 Comments
5 Aug 2012, 09:55 am
@ pedigree dragon: there’s fat piri piri as i predicted.
5 Aug 2012, 10:25 am
This is a good solid squad and that youngtster sam kane is in as i think he is being groomed to take over from McCaw,i don`t see any major surprises.
5 Aug 2012, 11:07 am
Piri should not be there. Kerr Barlow and TJ Perenara better.
5 Aug 2012, 12:07 pm
@rossoneri-3:
Last year for Piri.
TJ will play next year.
5 Aug 2012, 12:17 pm
Very conservative squad by Hansen. I thought they would.ve gone with 5 loosies, 4 locks and 4 props. I couldn.t figure out who to drop between Messam and Thompson so I opted to drop Cane but they picked them all so thats cool. Also Wyatt Crockett is damn lucky to still be in. His work around the field is top notch but his srummaging makes you cringe at times. Hard luck for Craig Clarke as the 4th lock as they only picked three[ two rookies at that].As in all the years gone past our success in the 4Natiion will still depend on Carter & McCaw.
5 Aug 2012, 12:36 pm
It makes the Chiefs’ win all the more amazing considering the had almost zero starting ABs in the team, besides SBW and maybe Retallick with, what, three caps? There’s a good chance, the field that runs out to play RSA won’t have a single Chief
5 Aug 2012, 12:53 pm
@Hurricane-4:
Yep. Piri knows am sure.
Ben Smith to succeed Conrad. overhype Fruen to go overseas I think
5 Aug 2012, 13:38 pm
@greatest13gerber-7:
“overhype Fruen to go overseas I think.”
Overhype.
I don’t think so G13G.
5 Aug 2012, 22:16 pm
@7 look no further than the injury prone Richard Kahui . He’s ridiculously talented
6 Aug 2012, 00:50 am
@cane-8: I agree with G13G..
is very sporadic in matches and often goes missing… defense and distribution need considerable work..
not the finished article, but the next year or two will determine if he has the required ethos to become a great..
Not sold on Faumuina either, and this is as a Blues fan..
6 Aug 2012, 01:00 am
@gonzo-6: Chiefs had four starters in the last test vs Ireland SBW, Cruden, Cane & Messam. With Sonny gone there will be zero Chiefs in the starting XV against RSA. Has that ever happened before? Has a Super Rugby champion team ever had no players in a starting Test XV?
6 Aug 2012, 01:11 am
@rewa hard-11: Retallick will start against the Saffas imho… and would not be surprised if messam also starts against them… he has really taken his game up a notch this year…
also think Clarke is very unlucky not to be there tbh..
6 Aug 2012, 03:00 am
This squad generally picks itself. There seems to be no bolters there, and all have had reasonably good Super Rugby seasons, except perhaps Piri and I would expect Perenara to usurp him in the future. Probably a bit light on experience in the locking dept, so the more work Romano and Retallick get, the better. Would like Hansen to identify a fourth lock other than Ali Williams/Donnelly or Clarke. Other than that, a good side.
6 Aug 2012, 05:10 am
@poppa69-12: Read. McCaw. Vito. Whitelock & Romano will be our starters against Oz. We’ll see how they go first. No room for any Chiefs. Retallick & Messam will probably start against the Argies.
6 Aug 2012, 07:50 am
vuilgoed
6 Aug 2012, 08:52 am
@Te Rangatira-13: Hore or Mealamu?
Hansen needs to identify his third hooker because those two are not going to be around much longer.
6 Aug 2012, 08:53 am
Quite an experienced team.
6 Aug 2012, 10:39 am
@Sasuke-16: After Hika Elliot would be Tom McCartney if only he could throw the friggin ball in straight. Coachable I think.
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