Forwards for the All Blacks squad
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<p>It's interesting to speculate about the make up of Hansen's All Black squads this year, and the forward contingent within these squads.</p>
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<p>The best hint to what Hansen will do in the future is to look at what he has done in the past. You can't really look at last year because they used an expanded squad for the RC and the RWC squad had slightly different requirements. So if you look at Hansen's 2014 squads, he selected a 31 man squad for the Rugby Championship comprised of 18 forwards and 13 backs. Of those 18 forwards he went with the following split; 2 hookers, 5 props, 4 locks, 7 loosies. I think their 2016 squads are likely to conform to this structure. So assuming that Savea, Ioane and Messam are unavailable because of 7s duties, Nepo Laulala is injured and NH bound Vito is not required unless we are desperate, I think Hansen's 31 man squad for Wales will look a bit like this;</p>
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<p><strong>Hookers: </strong></p>
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<p>Coles</p>
<p>Taylor (I'm not sold on him yet but he took his limited opportunities last year and didn't let anyone down when he was on the field. The fact that the Crusaders set piece is the best of the NZ teams won't hurt his chances either)</p>
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<p><strong>Props:</strong></p>
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<p>Franks</p>
<p>Faumuina</p>
<p>Crockett</p>
<p>Moody</p>
<p>+ 1 more prop - I suspect Hansen will want to bring a youngster. This could be based on potential rather than what they have actually achieved. I'm going to be controversial and suggest Ofa Tuungafasi.</p>
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<p><strong>Locks:</strong></p>
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<p>Whitelock</p>
<p>Retallick</p>
<p>Romano</p>
<p>Tuipulotu</p>
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<p><strong>Loosies:</strong></p>
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<p>Read</p>
<p>Kaino</p>
<p>Cane</p>
<p>Dixon</p>
<p>Todd</p>
<p>Luatua</p>
<p>Liam Squires</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567964" data-time="1459203673"><p>
Pity you only get season totals though (unless I am driving it wrong). <br>
I was interested in seeing what Canes tackle count was against the Force which was looking huge during the first half but probably tailed off once the Chiefs blew them away.</p></blockquote>
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Try the Vodacom Super Rugby app. It'll give you a breakdown per round. <br><br>
It lists Cane ad having made 10 tackles. I've got no idea how accurate it is. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Toddy" data-cid="567991" data-time="1459209452">
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<p>Try the Vodacom Super Rugby app. It'll give you a breakdown per round.<br><br>
It lists Cane ad having made 10 tackles. I've got no idea how accurate it is.</p>
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<p>Thanks for that! </p>
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<p>The stats in the app align perfectly with what is on the NZ Herald website, so they are legit.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567990" data-time="1459209331">
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<p>Don't forget the policy that has injured players return for a chance.<br>
Nathan Harris come on down</p>
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<p>I think Nathan Harris will struggle to earn a recall to the test team. He came into the AB squad when depth at hooker was arguably at an all time low, and I don't remember him doing anything much. Codie Taylor is not close to being the finished product yet, but he can run an accurate lineout and he's by far the more athletic of the two. The beauty of Taylor is that he can play the same role as Coles, and make an impact off the bench. Harris never struck me as being an impact player.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="567994" data-time="1459210080">
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<p>I think Nathan Harris will struggle to earn a recall to the test team. He came into the AB squad when depth at hooker was arguably at an all time low, and<strong> I don't remember him doing anything much</strong>. Codie Taylor is not close to being the finished product yet, but he can run an accurate lineout and he's by far the more athletic of the two. The beauty of Taylor is that he can play the same role as Coles, and make an impact off the bench. Harris never struck me as being an impact player.</p>
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<p>After 21 minutes of test rugby over two games I'd be surprised if he did imprint himself on you, however he did score a try in that short time.</p>
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<p>It may be that he has los his chance but the point I was making is that the selectors have a policy that you don't unselect yourself solely through getting injured.</p>
<p>Now, if he was unable to get much time in Super Rugby from form selection then maybe that surpasses this AB policy but I wouldn't be surprised if he is on a plan to be firing toward the end of the Super comp.</p>
<p>At the time he was selected he was seen as being 'Coles-like'. That is why they went for him. They may still be interested.</p> -
<p>Cody Taylor is definately the second hooker picked now. Have followed his career very closely since he started playing club rugby down here.</p>
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<p>He has obviously worked very hard during the off season, and has started the season in excellent form.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="568016" data-time="1459212671">
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<p>I'm shocked and surprised to see the posters from down south declaring a position for one of their own!</p>
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<p>Who'd have thought eh?</p>
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<p>I don't think it's that controversial suggesting that RWC winner Codie Taylor might be ahead of Nathan Harris on Hansen's pecking order.</p> -
<p>Cody Taylor is from Levin. The All Black coaches have mentioned his outstanding off field work ethic in the past, which I assume is why he was selected above Hika. Not what you'd expect from someone from that part of the world!</p>
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<p>I think he will be the number 2 hooker come the June internationals.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="568016" data-time="1459212671">
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<p>I'm shocked and surprised to see the posters from down south declaring a position for one of their own!</p>
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<p>Who'd have thought eh?</p>
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<p>Gibson over Todd demonstrates there's those types everywhere Crucial :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="568016" data-time="1459212671">
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<p>I'm shocked and surprised to see the posters from down south declaring a position for one of their own!</p>
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<p>Who'd have thought eh?</p>
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<p>Fair enough, and to be honest I can't offer an opinion on Harris. </p>
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<p>I don't even know what he looks like.</p> -
<p>Taylor ended up being in the right place at the right time, i.e., Harris was already injured and the other hooker in the 2015 pre-RWC squad (Elliot) got injured too so never had another opportunity after Apia. While Taylor might have the inside running now, the backup to Coles would still be up for grabs based on Super rugby form.</p>
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<p>I don't think Taylor was in that group of hookers looked at in early 2015 either (e.g. Coltman). Funnell could have been "rated" ahead of him at that point too.</p> -
<p>I think it's 'so far so good' for Codie Taylor, but he's not a certainty even despite his RWC selection, because he has had very little experience thus far. I really like his game and he's continued to improve since his Maori selection a couple of years back.</p>
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<p>Not that it's likely that he'll get picked, but maybe James Parsons? He was bad last year and I thought he was finished personally, but he has been very good so far this season.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-time="1459212977" data-cid="568021" data-author="No Quarter"><p>Cody Taylor is from Levin. The All Black coaches have mentioned his outstanding off field work ethic in the past, which I assume is why he was selected above Hika. Not what you'd expect from someone from that part of the world!<br> <br>I think he will be the number 2 hooker come the June internationals.</p></blockquote>Well NQ I actually liked your quote, then I read it properly and saw your comment suggesting you wouldn't expect someone from Levin wouldn't have a good work ethic. As I from Levin , I gotta say get stuffed!! Anyway I think as Coles is Pram boy it is obvious that boys from the Nua learn a very good work ethic in the hooker's role!!
