All Blacks Team for NH Tour

Forwards: Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Dominic Bird, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, Ma'a Nonu, Ryan Crotty, Francis Saili, Israel Dagg, Frank Halai, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.

Hope Frank Halai proves me wrong and TJ Perenara get some game time - whoooohooooooo.

Also hope some questions are answered about regeneration in the centres . I feel like dusting the cobwebs from my boots and calling Hansen.

 Hakwa

Mozart does not know when players should be dropped or should be replaced on the basis of under-performance.   Numbers mean nothing - performances do.

The Springbok squad is to be selected sometimes this week.   If Meyer picks players like  Jantjies and De Jongh it would be purely in accordance with SA Government policies on so-called Black Economic Empowerment - with no impact on  test selection or the match day squad.   Hopefully both will not be anywhere near the squad.

Now some comments on the AB  squad.   I think that there are some weak spots in the squad and those are -

*   the props and hookers - not really top notch and they will suffer in some tests; and

*   serious question marks as to the center situation.

Nonu is good in attack - but really problematic in defence.   He tends to make illegal tackles more than legal ones.   Ben Smith is no center and whether Halai and Francis Saili is good enough is a major question.   I think that Crotty is a Christmas  player - but tend to think that Tom Taylor may be the real deal in future.   A real mixed bag to be sorted out in future.

As to the other players - my friend Sasue has a very high opinion of Dominic Bird - have not seen much of him this year because he was playing second fiddle to Whitelock and Romano and also frequently on he injury list.   Am looking forward to how he shapes up - but I assume he is no going to get any playing time - since Hansen appears to favour Sam Whitelock - the best lock forward in New Zealand - and the very average Romano and Retallick as locks.   What is Thrust doing in that line-up?   He is at best a Super 15 player or maybe ITM is his top level - he is being promoted way past his level of competence.   Would rather play Luatua at lock - he is better than any of Retallick, Romano or Thrust.   

 Sasu.. no suprises from dopey one eyed Cantab Hansen picking 3 more Cantabs - told you he wants to be the Mayor of Christchurch..... note when the ABs had injury concerns recently he called for backups from the Chiefs - now he does'nt want to know them.

Fancy the Crusties giving up Robbie Freaun - what a dumbarse Blackadder is for dropping one of their best players. Bit like JK dropping Anscombe last year.

 Awesome for us though.... Sweet az.

Amazing depth the Chiefs will have in their backs now in 2014 with the latest recruits...tooooo much.

 Freuan could be the centre the ABs are looking for after we showcase his talents at the Chiefs.

Everyones saying Ben Smith was the invisible man at centre yesterday and looked out of place. He's too small for a centre as well.

 Conrad Smiths absence has left a gaping hole in the ABs backline don't you think ?

Best Test to date for the Aucklander. Some dominating tackles in close and eventually had his opposite's number in the scrum.

His size is a good option when we need a bigger pack, e.g. NH.

and he has shown mobility of late.