Hansen has a pretty intact legacy from Graham Henry, and a squad full of very experienced players, a renewed depth in many positions after a World Cup campaign ... and some deserved bolters. So, I reckon we are in good nick for the series against an Irish team that is going to play for more than simple pride - they’ll be up for it.
But I thought I would also take a look at our real competition this year, and where they lie. Australian coach Robbie Deans, and new Springbok coach Heineke Meyer, also named their first squads of 2012 today, and I think they face more rebuilding than us this season. New blood, new ideas (well, maybe not with Deans) ... but how would the starting XVs of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia potentially stack up this year?
Now, the Wallabies are the only team to name a team so far for their first game against the Scottish. I still think Hansen is going to go with proven winners, especially for his first Test as coach ... the bolters and shuffling may come later to allow some fine tuning before the Rugby Championship kicks off. He’s put Weepu in, so why not give Nonu another chance too? This is an illustration only.
South Africa: well I’ll admit I have gone out on a limb in choosing my XV - please help, any Bok fans.
However, even as a cobbled effort, you can see just how much experience the All Blacks have here in terms of Test caps ... and advantage over the other two teams already. We have games under our belt to burn, and established combinations in all key areas that may not even be upset too much by the introduction of new players, after all they will be surrounded by World Cup winners!
3 comments:
I'm astonished that Ellis has been left out. I'm not exactly an Ellis super-fan but his all round play has been smart and he's in form. It's a real kick in the guts for him.
Maybe Weepu given his maori heritage is someone they reckon could also mentor Aaron Smith? Just a thought?
As for your South African Squad I think it's pretty accuracte but to be honest it's difficult to predecit Meyer it seems. I think Coetzee is a terrific player but I wouldn't be surprised if Meyer went for someone a little more experienced like Keegan Daniel at 6.
Hey Phil
Was really not sure pf the Bok line up - it really surprised me how many new caps they were looking at, but I think they are like NZ in that Super each year throws up real contenders, and they have pretty good depth.
'course they'll probably play like Bulls/Stormers and not the Cheetahs.
All Blacks: a mystery. Can't believe Hansen will do much outside the square for the first test. And I think you maybe right about Weepu & Aaron Smith ... they were all buddy buddy in media earlier this week.
I haven't seen one bit of super rugby this year so I don't feel qualified to say anything.
However, I never liked Andy Ellis - he was up on a level with a band bunch as far as I was concerned.
It would be great if we could find a halfback that had a decent fast pass for a change.
In Smith I hope.
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