Steve Hansen has named the All Blacks squad to take on the Lions in the three-Test series.
There are three Barrett brothers, two Saveas and talent everywhere. What do you make of the squad?
Forwards:
Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire
Backs:
Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Ryan Crotty, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
If there is a potential weakness here it is in the forwards because man for man the backline is exceptional
Scary stuff isn’t it. The only things you can say about them is that Crotty is reliably excellent rather than outstanding, that Naholo can be a bit suspect in discipline and defence and that it depends which Savea turns up. All of them would waltz into the England team though
And much the same can be said about the second row and the back row. Perhaps the depth at lock isn’t great and the back row still haven’t found a replacement for McCaw but they are both minor points.
The front row is the only area where the selection is more reliable than world-beating. And even there you’ve got Dane Coles in the lineup!
That should be more than enough to get the job done. If you can afford to leave out players like Milner-Scudder who would walk in to the Lions first team, then your only problem is likely to be over-confidence. You only have to watch the franchise sides to see what depth of talent there is, and I don´t see their front row as any sort of weakness. They will get at least parity, and with their back row pouncing on every mistake and getting quick ball to the outside backs that will be more than enough. It is interesting when one looks at All Black stats that they often have no more than 50 per cent possession. They are just far more ruthless at putting away opportunities than anyone else.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an overconfident All Blacks side. I’ve always considered them to give every team respect which is one of the reason they are so rarely caught out. The Kiwi fans might be arrogant and bullish at times but the All Blacks come across as being very grounded.
Dunno. I reckon they got over-confident playing Ireland in Chicago. Playing Kaino at lock, etc.
Their refusal to consider the drop goal cost them their qtr final game against France in 2007 and they definitely got too confident before playing the Aussies in 2003
Perhaps that’s the Lions one hope – that they get so cocky it all goes wrong!
I wouldn’t over-exaggerate the depth of talent in the franchise sides though. The pinnacle of their players are amongst the best in the world, but I reckon Sarries would have put 20+ points on that Blues side the other morning (and of course, more on the Lions…). There is a lot to be said for being a cohesive team unit
Terrifying to think of the calibre of player that didn’t even make it, such as McKenzie and Milner-Skudder (admittedly just back from a very long injury lay-off).