Bullrush
John Hipwell (52)
Couldn't find any thread about this so hopefully not doubling up.
I'd take Messam over Thompson every day of the week when it's the black jersey - this was taken from stuff.co.nz
Guildford, Messam may miss All Blacks squad
TOBY ROBSON
Some simple maths might be bad news for Liam Messam and Zac Guildford as the All Blacks selectors ink the final names onto their squad for the Rugby Championship.
Coach Steve Hansen will unveil a 28-man squad in Auckland tomorrow and he has some tough calls to make, particularly out wide and in the loose.
What's certain in the backs is that wing Cory Jane will return after missing the June test series with an ankle injury, and that Sonny Bill Williams will stay on until Conrad Smith's eye has healed.
Assuming Beauden Barrett's education as the third first five-eighth will be put on ice until the end-of-year tour, there are likely to be 12 backs and 16 forwards.
Jane's return, coupled with the utility value of Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith, means there is probably room for two specialist wings.
Julian Savea's progression will surely not be stifled now, meaning either Hosea Gear or Guildford misses out.
Neither did much wrong, but the All Blacks' line-breaking power might better suit the pure finishing power of Gear over Guildford's work rate.
Should Messam be the unlucky loosie it will be the harshest of calls.
He has been been in sparkling form, showing all that's good about his high tempo game in recent weeks, but it seems there is room for only five loose forwards.
Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Victor Vito are certainties and Sam Cane's bright start against Ireland surely won't be discarded.
Which leaves Messam and Adam Thomson.
Not big enough, inconsistent, too loose: Messam must be sick of hearing why he's not in the All Blacks.
None of those criticisms currently apply and he took his chance with both hands against Ireland when called up in Hamilton.
However, Hansen is loyal and Thomson has done little wrong even if he lacks Messam's finesse. It is an unenviable call.
The other area of intrigue is at lock. It seems Ali Williams' recovery from a knee injury will continue from within the squad as the fourth lock.
That's a risky call, but Hansen values his veteran's input that much and with Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick he may feel he can get through until Williams is fit to play.
There is some scope for carrying backup with Hansen having negotiated the use of an additional two players to train with the squad in New Zealand.
That could be an extra lock such as Chiefs skipper Craig Clarke or former All Blacks Jason Eaton or Jarrad Hoeata.
It appears there will be five props with Charlie Faumuina expected to return after withdrawing from the Irish series with a calf injury.
That might be bad news for Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna.
The All Blacks next test is against the Wallabies on August 18 in Sydney.
Possible All Blacks squad: Backs: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Hosea Gear, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu. Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Ali Williams, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore. Additional two: Liam Messam, Craig Clarke.
Injured: Conrad Smith.
- © Fairfax NZ
I'd take Messam over Thompson every day of the week when it's the black jersey - this was taken from stuff.co.nz
Guildford, Messam may miss All Blacks squad
TOBY ROBSON
Some simple maths might be bad news for Liam Messam and Zac Guildford as the All Blacks selectors ink the final names onto their squad for the Rugby Championship.
Coach Steve Hansen will unveil a 28-man squad in Auckland tomorrow and he has some tough calls to make, particularly out wide and in the loose.
What's certain in the backs is that wing Cory Jane will return after missing the June test series with an ankle injury, and that Sonny Bill Williams will stay on until Conrad Smith's eye has healed.
Assuming Beauden Barrett's education as the third first five-eighth will be put on ice until the end-of-year tour, there are likely to be 12 backs and 16 forwards.
Jane's return, coupled with the utility value of Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith, means there is probably room for two specialist wings.
Julian Savea's progression will surely not be stifled now, meaning either Hosea Gear or Guildford misses out.
Neither did much wrong, but the All Blacks' line-breaking power might better suit the pure finishing power of Gear over Guildford's work rate.
Should Messam be the unlucky loosie it will be the harshest of calls.
He has been been in sparkling form, showing all that's good about his high tempo game in recent weeks, but it seems there is room for only five loose forwards.
Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Victor Vito are certainties and Sam Cane's bright start against Ireland surely won't be discarded.
Which leaves Messam and Adam Thomson.
Not big enough, inconsistent, too loose: Messam must be sick of hearing why he's not in the All Blacks.
None of those criticisms currently apply and he took his chance with both hands against Ireland when called up in Hamilton.
However, Hansen is loyal and Thomson has done little wrong even if he lacks Messam's finesse. It is an unenviable call.
The other area of intrigue is at lock. It seems Ali Williams' recovery from a knee injury will continue from within the squad as the fourth lock.
That's a risky call, but Hansen values his veteran's input that much and with Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick he may feel he can get through until Williams is fit to play.
There is some scope for carrying backup with Hansen having negotiated the use of an additional two players to train with the squad in New Zealand.
That could be an extra lock such as Chiefs skipper Craig Clarke or former All Blacks Jason Eaton or Jarrad Hoeata.
It appears there will be five props with Charlie Faumuina expected to return after withdrawing from the Irish series with a calf injury.
That might be bad news for Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna.
The All Blacks next test is against the Wallabies on August 18 in Sydney.
Possible All Blacks squad: Backs: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Hosea Gear, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu. Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Ali Williams, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore. Additional two: Liam Messam, Craig Clarke.
Injured: Conrad Smith.
- © Fairfax NZ
