BenSmith on wing for wee abs?

Ex Supersport

Ben Smith has been the form New Zealand player at fullback but is likely to be named on the right wing when Steve Hansen finalises his side for the first test of their three-match series against France at Eden Park on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Smith has been one of the few players to shine for an underperforming Highlanders outfit with his incisive running, line breaks and defensive work, and pundits had been expecting him to replace Israel Dagg in the number 15 jersey for the All Blacks.

However, the season-ending injury to Cory (Carol) Jane in February and Hosea Gear's decision to play in France at the end of the campaign meant Hansen was looking for a right wing for the series against Phillipe Saint Andre's side.

Smith can play fullback, wing or centre, where many predict he could be a long-term replacement for namesake Conrad Smith, but the All Blacks coaches are loathe to label the Otago man as a utility player.

"I see him capable of starting in three (positions), and that's why I don't like the utility tag," assistant coach Ian Foster told reporters in Auckland. "For us, it is probably a matter of where we have the best mix.

"Wing looks pretty likely this week."

Smith has appeared in 12 tests for the All Blacks since his debut in 2009, though only three have been in the starting side and he was just keen on being named in the first XV again.

"At the moment, I'm just happy playing anywhere," he said.

"I think fullback fits in well with wing, I think those positions are pretty similar these days because you work as a back-three unit.

"I don't think I've put my name on one position. If I get the opportunity, I'm really looking forward to having a go."

CARTER DOUBTFUL

While Smith is a likely inclusion on Thursday, regular starters flyhalf Daniel Carter, scrumhalf Piri Weepooo and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock are unlikely to be considered for Saturday's match at Eden Park.

Carter has been training with the team but has a non-displaced fracture in his hand that he sustained last week for the Canterbury Crusaders against the New South Wales Waratahs.

Foster said if Carter was not 100 per cent fit he would not be risked, with Aaron Cruden likely to start the match.

Weepu was knocked unconscious in the Blues' loss to the Highlanders and while he had also been training, was unlikely to be selected.

Woodcock is nursing two minor injuries to his nose and hamstring and is likely to be replaced by either Wyatt Crockett or Ben Franks, both of whom have performed well for their respective Super Rugby franchises.

No 8 Kieran Read has been named captain for the series in place of openside flanker Richie McCaw, who is on a six-month sabbatical (with a British Madam) and unlikely to play any rugby before the All Blacks begin their defence of the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship title in August.

Likely All Blacks side: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Ben Smith, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Aaron Cruden, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read (capt), 7-Sam Cane, 6-Liam Messam, 5-Luke Romano, 4-Brodie Retallick, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Wyatt Crockett

Replacements: 16-Andrew Hore, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Ben Afeaki, 19-Jeremy Thrush, 20-Victor Vito, 21-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Rene Ranger

Go Frogs!!!!  Jump all over the wee abs. Who is the ref though? 

Beeno

I predicted all along that Smith would be playing at wing for the forthcoming series so tht is nothing new.  From a Super 15 performance perspective - the following players were pathetic to poor:-

Israel Dag, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Ben Franks and Jeremy Thrush

The following players had some good games and some shockers as well:

Julian Savea, Aaron Smith,  Liam Messam, Owen Franks and Wyatt Crocket..

The following players had average but mostly good performances:-

Aaron  Cruden, Rene Ranger,  Kieran Reid, Sam Cane, Luke Romano, Brodie Retallick and Victor Vito.

I doubt not that the players involved has the capacity to up their game in internations and I think that the AB's would win the upcoming series with ease.

Ou Maaaikie my concern right now is who will be left standing. That is the main factor to conside here along with who refs the game. Du Toit now out and Franco called up!

Who the abs field is not that important.

poi-e

I must have been upset by Cruden's performance in the preceeding game.  I would say i the intial games Cruden was average in mos games - the last two gaes he was no doubt better than before.  Please - I must emphasize that I do refer to my opinion on the performances of players in Super 15 this year - not their potential and actual qualities in the previous tests they play in.   

As a first-time participant in fantasy selections I was taught a bitter lesson - avoid some of the above players like a plague - they are bound to cost you dearly.   That maybe is the reason I am so harsh on some players.   They cost me dearly  - whenever I select them they would come up with a wicked next game.     

 Hasbeeno, are you pissed or what? Why would you post a plageurised article from Supersport on who's likely or not to front this week for the ABs and then about an hour and a half later tell Mike "Who the ABs field is not that important"?

Can anyone understand this bloke?

I would'nt necessarily suggest Ben Smith on the wing but he isn't too bad as a wing, either way he still plays that quality brand in his playstyle. The statement he said in this article is spot on. 'I think fullback fits in well with wing, i think those positions are pretty similar these days because you have to work hard as a back-three unit.' thats correct, the two wingers and fullback has to work hard to cover tactial kicks as a back-three unit. This relates to the Le Roux situation, they are capable of playing in both positions because they have similar attributes. Rene Ranger as a centre could bring a different dynamic in the backline, in prospect he would do much better than Conrad Smith at outside centre. I hope the ABs win.

Where's Hosea Gear?

How come you guys don't rate this man mountain??

Definitely would have been one of my picks.

Pity Anscombe is injured.

Thrush?? A potential All Black ... I dont think so ... or is he just there to make up the numbers?? I don't rate him at all.

Actually, now that I look at the squad, you guys have a bit of an issue at hooker as well, huh?? Mealamu is long in the tooth, Hore is out of sorts and hasn't had a good Super 15 rugby season this year and Coles is off injured every third week.

Awesome loosies!!

Not a frightening squad at all.

Better overall selections made though than what Meyer managed.

Good luck against France.

@cleancut,
hosea gear is off to france so hes not available for selection as the All Blacks dont pick players based overseas or are leaving.
they made an exception with SBW last year in the june test series and the first two RC/bledisloe cup games, but IMO that was wrong and BS. SBW was the best 12 by a country mile, but if ur scheduled to leave, then see ya should be the attitude, or sayanara in SBWs case.

thrush is a useless seelction but hes only there for injury cover cos of what happened to whitelock and big bird, dont expect to see him on the field if the games are close.

hooker is an issue, but im not worries about it, ged robinson is returning to NZ next year and geoff parsons is injured and those two names will be huge with the All Blacks in the future.

@mikey,
ranger hasnt been average to mostly good, hes the competitions form 13 period. i cant think of one 13 that even comes close to what hes been producing all year.

Sasuke, I just wish the Springboks had the same policy as the All Blacks with regards to overseas based players.

moooo la allow me to explain which is what my role is vis a vis the kiwi bird brains.

If we have our players available and pick the right side it doesnt matter who the abs pick as they will lose. My concern is that we are loosing too many players.

Got it?

Sasue

OK I should have created another category "escellent" and put Ranger in there.   I agree with you about him being the best 13 in Super 15 this year - no argument.   In any event he is my pick for 13 - but Hansen will not buy that one.

Am in a hurry now - France is calling.  First the tennis at Roland Garros - where Legs and Tits  Sharapova is  playing as well.   Have been to Roland Garros to watch tennis there before.  LOL  Then to the Junior WC matches coming up - mouthwatering prospect.

Benzip! When can 'this' bloody team take to the field! I dont want to watch the ab's play no Saffa 'B' side I want the bloody real deal! It doesn't do you jokers any good and it certainly doesn't help our blokes playing 'B' teams. Frankly I think South Africa should show some respect and play their best side. After all whats there to be afraid of.... we are only 'wee' are we not?