All Blacks RWC squad takes shape

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has admitted that the core of the squad that will take part in the 2015 Rugby World Cup is now in place, although he has admitted that a special type of player could force their way into the overall playing group.

Hansen has introduced twenty-one new All Blacks to a special environment which has not only enabled the team to continue their legacy, but manage a player transition in a style which is clearly producing the desired outcome simply because of the plaudits being directed the All Blacks way.

For a team to be talked about as 'great' is quite the achievement considering in theory the side is in the midst of a player regeneration cycle.

Nine players in 2012 and a further 12 this season is a introduction rate one would normally equate with a Test nation deep in the process of replacing key veterans, but part of the Hansen project has been ensuring that experienced players are in place to pass on valuable knowledge.

That, along with giving the older heads valuable competition and drive thanks to the presence of the young bucks, has given the team good balance.

It was not likely to be tinkered with too much further.

"Hopefully, we don't have to introduce too many more," Hansen said.

"Otherwise we haven't selected very well now and there must be some horrifically good players coming that I haven't seen."

While there is some uncertainty to the future of Andrew Hore, the likelihood of a hooker pushing their claims via Investec Super Rugby will be high considering the 'apprenticeship' program that was in place this season for future rakes.

Such a scheme is currently in place for Ardie Savea, a touring non All Black who is being given a chance to soak up the atmosphere, and train, travel, eat and sleep with a full touring squad.

The Hurricanes youngster has enough time to force his way into World Cup reckoning, as will one or two other players.

Another potential name here is Sonny Bill Williams, although he will have to watch the likes of Francis Saili and Charles Piutau continue their development for another 12 months which will ensure there will be no guarantee for the dual international.

"There will be some new faces," Hansen said.

"That's a natural thing and who knows who's going to retire?"

With TJ Perenara uncapped on the bench against Ireland on Monday morning (NZT), his potential debut would bring the number of Test players brought into the fold under Hansen to twenty-two overall.

Such a number wouldn't be repeated in a hurry.

"I don't think we'll go to the extent of another 20, as we've done in the last two years," Hansen said.

The All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup squad featured 18 players who hadn't played in the quadrennial tournament before.

Of the 12 players who were named two years ago who had featured in Rugby World Cups before, only Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Keven Mealamu, Ma'a Nonu, Tony Woodcock and Conrad Smith remain.

John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Victor Vito, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Mils Muliaina and Isaia Toeava are the Rugby World Cup winning All Blacks not currently part of the squad - half of the group that stood on the dais at Eden Park.

Six players - the Franks brothers, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Israel Dagg and Cory Jane - are on track to feature in their second Rugby World Cup in 2015. 

This article shows how the ABs are building their team for the 2015 RWC. In light of the discussions on this forum on how HM is building the Boks team, this should be of interest. Basically Hansen is bringing new players early in the cycle, then will try & settle on the team in 2014. We still have a weakness at hooker. 
AB change management seems less radical than the Boks approach. But the Boks are changing/diversifying their playing style. While the ABs are not making radical changes to the way we play the game but always building on the same basic approach & trying to execute it better.
From what I have seen the Poms are the team that can improve their game the most as they seem to still be at the beginning of their development cycle. As the players get more experience and they all get  more familiar with the game plan they will be catching up to the top two teams.

Cloudy: absolutely ! Ged is great @ S15 level & we will have to see if Hansen takes a look @ him. He brought in several hookers as part of a development effort but no Ged. Still we have to find a couple of hooked as hoare will not be around & Kevin is looking his age. We need more than just Coles -he is good it one is not enough. 
I would like to see some big boys in the tight 5 to counter the NH forwards & the beefy Boks. Speed , skill & guile may not always be enough & the refs seem to be favoring the Boks lately 
I too can't believe the talent coming through . 

I wish this "ref favouring" opinion would just go away.  Its an excuse for losing. AB's are fine for RWC they just have to adapt to the ref, pitches and crowd...and the AB's are the best at adapting...most of the time.  Never heard of Ged, though hooker is one position where our depth is not that great. 

 That big ,black beautiful finely engineered machine just needs a bit of fine tuning here and there ,and I do hope that Ged Robinson gets a look in !

ged was very solid in the spXV, but in the ITM he was outplayed big time by teammate ash dixon who was the magpies incumbent hooker and IMO deservedly so.

ged is part of the highlanders wider training squad, so im sure were going to see him get some gametime.
highlanders currently have liam coltman and brayden mitchell, both are very good hookers, especially coltman, but neither have preformed the way ged did in the last two years in super rugby.

hooker is a very worrying position for the All Blacks, dane coles is leading the charge for the post kev/hore era and while i had some strong reservations about him in the past, ive been very impressed with coles development under hansen.
of course hes not close to the level of strauss or bizzy, but he will get the job done for the All Blacks and not let the boys down.

personally i would love to see motu matuu in the All Blacks squad, imagine some of the hits he could unleash on the opponents, o_O