Williams back in All Blacks frame

Williams back in All Blacks frame

29 Oct 2012

Steve Hansen has included veteran lock Ali Williams in his 32-man All Blacks year-end squad to tour Europe.

Williams was part of a disappointing Blues’ Super Rugby campaign earlier in the season and picked up a serious knee injury during the All Blacks’ June Test series against Ireland.

The 31-year-old also had a quiet performance in Auckland’s New Zealand Cup final loss to Canterbury, but Hansen defended the player’s inclusion.

‘It came down to the same conclusions that we came down to in June – that we have a 75 Test veteran,’ said Hansen. ‘Yes, he has not played a lot of rugby because of injury but we know he has got the mental capacity to do the job on the field.

‘He brings with him a huge amount of experience, to which we know he is good at assisting the young guys and Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano will benefit from that.’

Hansen has also included two uncapped players in the squad in hooker Dan Cole and scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Cole has been a standout performer for the Hurricanes and Wellington and is selected ahead of Hika Elliot, while Kerr-Barlow is preferred ahead of Andy Ellis.

All Blacks 32-man touring squad:

Forwards: Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick Luke Romano, Ali Williams, Richie McCaw (c), Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Victor Vito, Adam Thomson.

Backs: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Ma’a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Julian Savea, Israel Dagg.


17 Comments

  • 1.buzzlightyear: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2012, 07:21 am

    That’s one long in the tooth Dragon

  • 2.Delki: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2012, 07:24 am

    Yeah he’s on the wane but including such an experienced player will help the up and coming locks into the test environment

  • 3.gonzo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2012, 12:51 pm

    Ellis has to leave as soon as his contract runs out. We don’t deserve his loyalty. Andy, go to Europe and make a tonne of cash! You’ve already won NPC, super rugby, and world cup. Try to add a H Cup to your name.

  • 4.jeest: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 03:34 am

    Interesting. I’m pretty sure Kerr-Barlow was born in Melbourne and raised in Darwin. I’d say that probably makes him an Aussie.

    Is there no end to Hasen’s hypocrisy? Was it someone else whinging a couple of weeks ago when Mike Harris kicked the Wallabies to a draw against his team. This bloke is a bitter individual.

  • 5.whatever: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 03:38 am

    @jeest-4:

    Yup, born in Vic, Australia.

    Thats just par for the course with the keewee hypocrites :)

  • 6.LITELOCK: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 08:29 am

    @jeest-4: Yep,Moved here to go to school.Came by himself to live in NZ at the age of 13.He thought he would grow his game better here….semms to have worked.

  • 7.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 08:38 am

    hmmm…speaking of Williams, I see SBW looking for an injury to avoid facing the buffalo.

    Weet seker die boer gaan hom hard moer.

  • 8.gunther: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 08:45 am

    @trupisero-7:

    He’s tweaked a pec apparently.

    :lol:

  • 9.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 08:45 am

    @gunther-8: Hy maak sy eie tiete lam? :)

  • 10.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 08:48 am

    @LITELOCK-6:
    Yep, as alot of poeple do to improve there game is to play in NZ.
    Common practice. Bit different when he actually played for NZ under 20s and 4 years later playing in Australia, i think thats what Hansen is getting at.
    But still, sometimes Hansen needs to keep a lid on it

  • 11.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 08:49 am

    @gunther-8:
    You wouldnt know what tweaking a pec would feel like, Mr pecless :-)

  • 12.gunther: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 09:04 am

    @Hurricane-11:

    Indeed rather be Mr Pecless than Mr Peckerless hey my little byatch?

    :lol:

  • 13.katman: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 09:28 am

    @Hurricane-11: Don’t you just love tweaking anonymous pecs though. :)

  • 14.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 11:36 am

    @gunther-12:
    Only if you knew. :-)

    @katman-13:
    :-)

  • 15.Gooch: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm

    @jeest-4: Both parents are New Zealanders. He moved to NZ when he was 13 and has dreamed of being an All Black since he was a kid. In an interview yesterday he said he has never wanted to play for Australia. What is your problem with this?

  • 16.gunther: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 15:21 pm

    @Hurricane-14:

    Indeed.

    My heart goes out to you.

    I’ll try and be kinder to you in future.

  • 17.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2012, 15:34 pm

    I’m chuffed to see Kerr-Barlow there. And a last hurrah for Ali (bloody legend and Haka doer extraordinaire)

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