TRI NATIONS..SI COMINCIA!!
Inviato: 27 giu 2006, 10:32
Oggi,Graham Henry ha diramato la lista dei convocati per il Tri Nations...esclusioni pesanti e ritorni insaspettati...
Thorne in; Flavell out
Tuesday June 27 2006
Henry in a loose forward culling
All Black coach Graham Henry recalled Crusaders test veteran Reuben Thorne as a blindside flank when he announced the All Blacks squad for the expanded Tri-Nations tournament. Blues utility Troy Flavell is among a host of loose forwards who were culled.
Back in black: Reuben Thorne
"We have left out some very capable players," Henry said at the announcement of the 30-man squad on Tuesday.
"The competition is strong in many positions, which is good for the All Blacks and good for New Zealand rugby."
Henry said Thorne got the call because of his superior form this year.
"Reuben is a proven performer. We have looked at other candidates in the last three Tests, none of whom have played to Reuben's form in the Super 14. Hopefully, there is a glimpse of the future in those selections but, for now, Reuben's form is the benchmark."
Players not considered for selection due to injury were Nick Evans, Sione Lauaki, Angus Macdonald, James Ryan, Sitiveni Sivivatu, and Conrad Smith.
Henry also revealed that Flavell is expected to see a surgeon in the near future to re-examine a tear to his pectoral muscle that the lock/flanker has carried through the first part of the international season.
While the absence of Flavell can be related to his injury to some extend, the inclusion of Thorne remains a major surprise.
Thorne's recall comes almost three years after his last cap and also comes a month after he withdrew from the Junior All Blacks, whom he had been picked to captain, for "recovery and reconditioning".
The 31-year-old Thorne played the last of his 41 Tests, and his 22nd as captain, when New Zealand prevailed in the third place playoff against France at the 2003 World Cup.
His last appearance in an All Blacks jersey was against the Barbarians at Twickenham a year later.
Henry said Thorne's reaction when told the news was akin to that of a debutant.
"It was like the first cap, by the sound of it. He was jumping out his skin."
Thorne beat off the challenges of players like Flavell (also a utility lock/flank who played on the blindside), Jerome Kaino and Craig Newby, who miss out after having appeared in the two-Test series against Ireland.
Kaino, who suffered a shoulder injury with the Blues during the Super 14, has been told he needs to play more games to get match sharp, while Newby had been told to work on his explosiveness, speed and power.
Flavell's omission means South African-born lock Greg Rawlinson has been retained.
The selectors named three scrum-halves and three hookers to provide extra cover in those positions, a policy Henry said the All Blacks would adopt at next year's World Cup.
With the squad being reduced from the 39 players used against Ireland and Argentina, just one specialist No.8 has been named in Rodney So'oialo, leaving no room for Mose Tuiali'i.
Chris Masoe will cover all three loose forward positions.
In the backs, the most notable absentees are in midfield, with no place for centre Casey Laulala and second five-eighth (No.12) Sam Tuitupou.
The players are due to gather in Wellington on Thursday for a three-hour meeting to set out the objectives for the first part of the Tri-Nations.
The players will disband that same day, before assembling in Christchurch on Sunday to prepare for the clash with the Wallabies at Jade Stadium the following Saturday.
All Black squad: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Rico Gear (Tasman), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Tasman), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), (captain), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Anton Oliver (Otago), Greg Rawlinson (North Harbour), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).
Thorne in; Flavell out
Tuesday June 27 2006
Henry in a loose forward culling
All Black coach Graham Henry recalled Crusaders test veteran Reuben Thorne as a blindside flank when he announced the All Blacks squad for the expanded Tri-Nations tournament. Blues utility Troy Flavell is among a host of loose forwards who were culled.
Back in black: Reuben Thorne
"We have left out some very capable players," Henry said at the announcement of the 30-man squad on Tuesday.
"The competition is strong in many positions, which is good for the All Blacks and good for New Zealand rugby."
Henry said Thorne got the call because of his superior form this year.
"Reuben is a proven performer. We have looked at other candidates in the last three Tests, none of whom have played to Reuben's form in the Super 14. Hopefully, there is a glimpse of the future in those selections but, for now, Reuben's form is the benchmark."
Players not considered for selection due to injury were Nick Evans, Sione Lauaki, Angus Macdonald, James Ryan, Sitiveni Sivivatu, and Conrad Smith.
Henry also revealed that Flavell is expected to see a surgeon in the near future to re-examine a tear to his pectoral muscle that the lock/flanker has carried through the first part of the international season.
While the absence of Flavell can be related to his injury to some extend, the inclusion of Thorne remains a major surprise.
Thorne's recall comes almost three years after his last cap and also comes a month after he withdrew from the Junior All Blacks, whom he had been picked to captain, for "recovery and reconditioning".
The 31-year-old Thorne played the last of his 41 Tests, and his 22nd as captain, when New Zealand prevailed in the third place playoff against France at the 2003 World Cup.
His last appearance in an All Blacks jersey was against the Barbarians at Twickenham a year later.
Henry said Thorne's reaction when told the news was akin to that of a debutant.
"It was like the first cap, by the sound of it. He was jumping out his skin."
Thorne beat off the challenges of players like Flavell (also a utility lock/flank who played on the blindside), Jerome Kaino and Craig Newby, who miss out after having appeared in the two-Test series against Ireland.
Kaino, who suffered a shoulder injury with the Blues during the Super 14, has been told he needs to play more games to get match sharp, while Newby had been told to work on his explosiveness, speed and power.
Flavell's omission means South African-born lock Greg Rawlinson has been retained.
The selectors named three scrum-halves and three hookers to provide extra cover in those positions, a policy Henry said the All Blacks would adopt at next year's World Cup.
With the squad being reduced from the 39 players used against Ireland and Argentina, just one specialist No.8 has been named in Rodney So'oialo, leaving no room for Mose Tuiali'i.
Chris Masoe will cover all three loose forward positions.
In the backs, the most notable absentees are in midfield, with no place for centre Casey Laulala and second five-eighth (No.12) Sam Tuitupou.
The players are due to gather in Wellington on Thursday for a three-hour meeting to set out the objectives for the first part of the Tri-Nations.
The players will disband that same day, before assembling in Christchurch on Sunday to prepare for the clash with the Wallabies at Jade Stadium the following Saturday.
All Black squad: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Rico Gear (Tasman), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Tasman), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), (captain), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Anton Oliver (Otago), Greg Rawlinson (North Harbour), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).