The All Blacks squad for the 2008 season was recently named, and because of all the top players leaving and playing overseas, there are a few new and unexpected faces.
First, I was surprised with the selection of North Harbour lock Anthony Boric. He is a talented player and would make many international teams around the world, but he's not yet good enough to be an All Black.
Surly Jason Eaton of Wellington is a better lock than Boric. He has the experience at international level, and despite not being noticed a lot on the field, Eaton has a huge work rate and rarely does anything wrong.
Now to another North Harbour player, Rudi Wolf. Wolf has made one of the biggest rugby comebacks imaginable. When he severely broke his neck, it looked like his rugby career and All Black dream was over. However, he has come back and is playing some of the best rugby he has ever played.
Doug Howlett would have taken that spot on the wing had he not gone overseas.
I am thankful to see Anthony Tuitavake has finally made it into the All Blacks. If I had the choice I would have definitely had him at the World Cup and left the injured and overrated Conrad Smith at home.
Ma'a Nonu is another overrated Wellington player. He has his good games where he makes a huge impact, but more often than not, he's weak defensively and struggles to catch the ball. He wouldn't make my All Black team unless we were playing Japan or Portugal.
Dan Carter is in the team, but for how long?
He is constantly getting offers from overseas clubs, who are desperate to have the best rugby player in the world playing for them. The All Blacks need Carter, without him they would struggle against Australia and South Africa in the tri-nations. Its only a matter of time until Carter receives an offer he just can't refuse.
This 2008 All Black team is nothing to write home about, and other teams won't fear them as much as previous years.
2008 All Blacks squad:
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4 months ago
Ireland have nothing to fear their and i'm confident we'll secure a win if we keep Sivivatu and Carter under wraps,
What do you think James?
Marc
from 4 months ago
They should beat ireland with ease, but come tri nations time i think the might struggle. thank god they have worked out a deal to keep carter here until atleast the 2011 W/C
from 4 months ago
whats the deal I heard something of a 6 month contract in france?
if he was to move to France permantly than New Zealand would be forced to find a solution to the exodus. Could allow abroad players to play. From my point of view i don't understand why they dont allow overseas players to play, they have a duty to pick the best NZ team for tri nations and some of their best players are in England/Ireland/France.
Also Ireland will run NZ close because of the momentum the Heineken Cup winners will bring, what do u think?
from 4 months ago
the reason they don't pick players who play overseas is because they want them to stay in NZ and play in NZ competitions. We don't have the money to offer the players so we offer them them the chance to play for the all blacks.
4 months ago
Yeah, I heard Carters getting a six month contract in France and then will return for the 2009 tests.
4 months ago
Well it wasnt easy but they got the win.........
3 months ago
Shows how much you know mate Anthony Boric was better than Ali Williams in the 2nd english test
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