Rugby: Five Newcomers Named in All Blacks Squad

Five new names were read out when the All Blacks picked their first squad of 2015, as reported by the New Zealand Herald. 

Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor, Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Broadhurst have all found their way into an otherwise predictable 41-man squad which will be refined to 31 for the Rugby World Cup.

Codie Taylor was perhaps the biggest surprise of those five. The lack of depth at hooker was always going to mean a new face was going to have to be chosen, and after months of speculation, it is the athletic Crusaders player the selectors went with.

He joins the in-form Hika Elliot, who has been recalled after a stellar season with the Chiefs, as well as veteran Keven Mealamu and current first-choice No. 2 Dane Coles.

The other newcomers were more predictable.

Lima Sopoaga has gone to another level with the Highlanders, sparking the backs from fly-half, while also providing a reliable boot. He will most likely fit in as the fourth No. 10, although given the injury rate in the position for the All Blacks in recent years, it would not be surprising if he rises from that ranking.

Should they all be fit, though, it will almost certainly be Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade that go to the World Cup.

Waisake Naholo has been so good on the wing for the Highlanders that he was a must-have, while Nehe Milner-Skudder's potential is plain to see. There is a logjam in the outside backs, but with both men in form, especially the electric Naholo, it would not be a surprise if one of them bolted all the way to the World Cup.

Ben Smith and Julian Savea are the only two locks in those positions, although with the likelihood of a fly-half being used as a utility, there may only be four outside-back spots available. That will see Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Charles Piutau compete with the newcomers for the final two spots. Based on form it would be hard to argue that any have the edge over Naholo, although it would not be a surprise to see the selectors go with the tried and trusted.

The other newcomer, James Broadhurst, comes into the squad after an impressive season with the high-flying Hurricanes. A hard-working lock, Broadhurst will compete with fellow Hurricane Jeremy Thrush and Crusader Luke Romano for two locking spots, as Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are both certainties.

Richie McCaw will captain the team from open-side flanker, with Sam Cane and Matt Todd both being named as back-ups for the No. 7 jersey. Other loose forwards include Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Victor Vito and Liam Messam. 

Injured scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow was named as the highly-debated third No. 9, joining last year's duo of Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara.

There were no surprises at prop with both Franks brothers, Owen and Ben, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina and Joe Moody all being named. The midfield was similarly predictable with Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Malakai Fekitoa, Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty all being selected.

The team will play their first game on July 8 against Samoa in Apia, although no players competing in the Super Rugby Final will be considered for this outing.

All Black Squad: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (c), Sam Cane, Matt Todd, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Luke Romano, Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Hikawera Elliot, Codie Taylor.