All Blacks post-2019

[J Dory]

Nonu looked good, could he?

[Lizard]

If Crotty got injured, I think he would be a good choice as an experienced leader in that part of the field - perhaps not an 80 (or even 60) minute player but able to come on and steady the ship, or start and lay a platform.

Assuming the other contenders remain fit, he is probably an outside prospect at the moment. He would be the oldest All Black since Ned Hughes was recalled at 40 in 1921, and easily the oldest back (Frank Bunce bowed out at 35 in 1997). He has proven he is up to Super Rugby standard, though. I would be happy to see him play in one or two TRC matches just to see if he’s got the goods. The downside is that it would reduce the opportunity for some newer combinations to be bedded in a bit more.

[cashead]

Nonu just literally did 80 minutes last round.

And Nonu will probably get a call-up prior to the World Cup to get a look at him, seeing as how he's one of the form 12s in the competition.

[Lizard]

Yes - 80 minutes of Super Rugby. It seems to be a common observation by players that test rugby is a step faster.

[Mikey Brown]

Is Goodhue likely your 13 for the foreseeable?

[cashead]

Yes - 80 minutes of Super Rugby. It seems to be a common observation by players that test rugby is a step faster.

Sure, but Super Rugby is the highest level of rugby he can currently play. Like, before you accuse him of not being able to go 80 minutes, it would be nice if he actually gets a chance to play some test rugby and go the full 80.

[Lizard]

I did say “perhaps” and I agree it would be a good idea to see how he goes in a test.

On the other hand, the All Blacks played 26 tests in Nonu’s last 2 seasons. He played in only 15 of those and went the full 80 only 7 times.

[J Dory]

Not looking likely for Nonu as he's missed out on the wider training squad. Still time I guess.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12220784

Edit: Full squad list:

Forwards: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Jackson Hemopo, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock

Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

[zer0]

If he continues his upward trajectory, I definitely think Nonu will have a strong case for RWC selection. I also doubt he'll be too bothered by not being involved in a brief training camp. He's coming in cold off no rugby for months with the aim of peaking much later in the year. Proto-selections in April aren't his aim.

Hansen also likes to go on about the importance of experience, even when I say it's detrimental to overall performance -- see, for instance, J.Savea wobbling out against the Lions while Rieko is stuck in the stands, or Goodhue twiddling his thumbs while Crotty and Williams try and make it to halftime un-injured. Well, Nonu has just about more test experience (104 caps) than the other five options put together (140 caps). Indeed, remove one of Crotty or Williams, and he has more caps than the remaining four. Having a well-performing, 2 x RWC winning, test centurion pesting around a RWC squad could be handy.

Will be interesting to see how things develop.

[Lizard]

So this training group excludes the following currently eligible 2016-18 All Blacks:

Brett Cameron*
Elliott Dixon**
Mitch Drummond*
Gareth Evans*
Kane Hames***
David Havili***
Dillon Hunt*
Nehe Milner-Skudder****
Dalton Papali'i (Capped v Japan and as a sub v. Italy)
Tim Perry****
Matt Proctor*
Luke Romano***
Jordan Taufua (AB's squad but never capped)

* Only cap was for "B" team v Japan 2018
**Not selected since 2016
***Not selected since 2017
****Injured

[morepork]

What's the story with Liam Squire. He was looking a bit stink wasn't he? I hope Taufua gets a crack.

[cashead]

Busted knee, out for 2~3 months.

[Lizard]

SBW is also out for knee surgery (6 weeks), no replacement named for the "foundation" squad but I bet Ma'a is super-casually walking past Shag's open office door right now.

[zer0]

Nonu's stocks continuing to rise. Looking forward to see the match up between him and ALB on Saturday...

[Lizard]

Liam Coltman has signed on until 2022. So that's Coles, Taylor and Coltman all nailed down. If Harris re-signs then any current young, uncapped hookers might be advised to take an early OE.

[Spiffy]

You have to feel for McKenzie missing the RWC. This kid would have lit up the tournament with the way he plays rugby.

[morepork]

He must be gutted. This was his time to show his stuff (or get bulldozed by fatties).

[Lizard]

Liam Coltman has signed on until 2022. So that's Coles, Taylor and Coltman all nailed down. If Harris re-signs then any current young, uncapped hookers might be advised to take an early OE.

And Harris has signed on to 2021. So that’s hookers sorted.

[Lizard]

Updated OP with news that Mo'unga has signed to 2022, which is great.

The only truly key players yet to commit are ex-World Rugby Players of the Year Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick. Jack Goodhue would be good to nail down, too.

[Lizard]

Sam Whitelock has in fact signed on for 4 more years, rather than just taken his one year extension. He’ll take a Japanese sabbatical in 2020 but, unusually, remain eligible for All Blacks selection.

[paddy no 11]

Ben Smith gone for WC?

[zer0]

Only appears to be a minor injury.

The Highlanders fullback sent rugby fans throughout the country into a heightened state of anxiety after he had to be helped from the field in the Highlanders' dramatic 31-31 draw with the Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday. However, Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger revealed afterwards that Smith had avoided serious damage. "He's got a hamstring strain, and he's also got a good laceration on the chin and he's getting stitched up at the moment," Mauger said. "He's got a strain and we'll know a bit more in the next couple of days. Structurally he's fine, it's just soft tissue."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... ous-injury

[Lizard]

Thank fuck for that. I mean I rate Jordie Barrett and all but he’s not even the best fullback in his family, let alone the whole country.

[Lizard]

Triple T has signed on to be the no. 3 halfback for at least a couple more years.

[Lizard]

Brodie Retallick has signed a contract to 2023 with the NZRU but will play in Japan in 2020 & 2021 (and presumably be unavailable for the All Blacks) before returning to NZ in May 2021. I'm concerned that a break from Super/Test rugby of that length might see him lose a bit of form and/or aura.

And apparently B Barrett is being wooed by the Blues again. Even if that is just a ploy to get the Canes to increase an offer, it's still a good pointer that he will be staying in NZ.