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21/05/2007
Ten players forced the All Blacks selectors to sit up and take notice of them, doing enough to gain positions in the inaugural 30-man squad for 2007.The guys I'm talking about got there without being part of the favoured 20 reconditioned players who, let's face it, had a free ride into the first squad of this most important of years.
So what were their magical ingredients that made them irresistible to Graham Henry and the national selectors?
Let's take a look at the terrific 10 and how they pushed their claims. Here they are in alphabetical order.
Nick Evans: Overcame another injury nightmare to confirm his class with the Highlanders. There are still some flaws to his game, notably pressure goalkicking at times. But he is the next best No 10 behind Daniel Carter and the All Blacks need specialist cover in this key position.
Troy Flavell: The Blues leadership worked wonders for Flavell, proving he is a far more mature player now than the one who walked away from New Zealand rugby in disgrace. Two questionable yellow cards were all he copped after playing 13 of the Blues' 14 matches and undoubtedly getting plenty of baiting from his rivals. He was a follow-me leader as well with the captaincy pushing his form, particularly over the first half of the championship. Reliable at lineouts, powerful in the scrum and with plenty of presence about the field, Flavell looked ready for a recall from the word go this year. The Blues, with their abundance of talent, didn't need to explore his versatility at blindside flanker. The All Blacks surely will because that lock/No 6 seems to be a mystical figure in their World Cup mix.
Doug Howlett: He's been a man on a mission this season. Injury took him out of last year's northern tour and missing the reconditioning programme placed a question mark over the veteran. But he responded by being the outstanding New Zealand wing in the Super 14. And that didn't mean just scoring tries where he leapt to the lead in the New Zealand Super record books. Howlett's work rate has always been impressive. But he got about the field in cover defence even more and in his man-on-man marking there were signs of new aggression. Happy-go-lucky Howlett even looked decidely angry at times. You couldn't argue with his selection here.
Brendon Leonard: There were some who were wondering if he could transfer his Waikato form to the Chiefs after a sluggish start to his rookie Super 14 year. But he took his big chance when it arrived at the end of the tournament with Byron Kelleher out injured. Full of confidence as every halfback needs to be, he has genuine pace and an eye for an opportunity. He's also got a good kicking game and that speed also makes him more than handy in cover defence. The selectors are quite right when they say he offers something different to Andy Ellis, Jimmy Cowan and Kevin Senio in that No 3 role among the All Blacks halfbacks. There's time to explore the Leonard case against the likes of France C and Canada.
Luke McAlister: He would have been one of the first names pencilled in behind the chosen 20. The only reason he missed summer training was because of a need to get him playing more and settled into No 12. He's arguably the first choice there now after a stunning display when he was on the field for the Blues. Breaking the line, raking off yardage with good territory kicks, kicking long range goals or fronting up on defence, McAlister was a vital spark for the Blues. When he wasn't there they failed to ignite, losing four of the five games without him. That kind of said it all.
Keith Robinson: If you are going to give flashy Ali Williams a free ride into the side then you are going to have to reward someone who week-in and week-out rolls up his sleeves, puts his head down and does the business. When Robinson got back into the Chiefs after a delayed start because of another untimely injury, the Hamilton franchise started firing. Safe at lineout and with a huge work ethic, he was at the heart of their remarkable recovery. If we are battling the Boks and the French towards the end of the World Cup, this is the sort of guy we want in the trenches. Fast developing into a cult figure, let's hope he can stay injury-free.
John Schwalger: If Leonard had been tipped to make the cut, then Schwalger was certainly the out-and-out bolter. A big mover in recent times after being with the New Zealand Colts in 2004. He's become a force in the respected Wellington and Hurricanes scrum. He has the versatility to play at loosehead or tighthead prop and that's going to be vital in the squad mix. Decidedly bigger than his rivals John Afoa and Clarke Dermody, now is the time to investigate if Schwalger's power and promise translate into the test arena.
Conrad Smith: He's undoubtedly the lucky one amongst these 10 players, given an All Blacks ticket almost as kindly as the reconditioned players. Injuries frustrated the start and finish to his Hurricanes campaign this year but it's fair to say he did little in between to really cement his place here. So he lives on reputation but it's a considerable one and I have no arguments. He's a specialist centre and the All Blacks need that. And he's a good thinker and the All Blacks also need that. His defence has improved and his distribution is without question. He loves this AB environment and they will certainly get him back into the groove.
Neemia Tialata: After a very good All Blacks year last season and a solid campaign with the Hurricanes, this big prop was never going to miss out. His form has dragged Schwalger along with him. And, like his team mate, he has power and versatility, something that will be crucial especially if Greg Somerville doesn't recover in time. Tialata seems to have an improving temperament these days as well.
Isaia Toeava: Hats off to this young man. For such a shy guy his ability to display his flashy game after the mental pounding he got last year speaks volumes for his character. He has bulked up and really enjoyed getting a settled season at centre for the Blues. Looked his best when McAlister was at his shoulder but showed his incredible versatility when he comfortably stepped into second five for the semifinal. His new size brought new power and that, combined with his pace and elusiveness ,saw him regularly break the opposition line. He has thrown Ma'a Nonu aside and that takes some doing.
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