Who would make a 1st XV of NZ rugby hotness?

Over the next couple of months there will be ample opportunity for myself and other Kiwi rugby fans to predict who will make the All Blacks squad for the June tests against France.

Of course Zac Guildford & Dan Carter
would feature in such a team!

No doubt there will be many opposing views regarding the criteria for making the squad – namely should current form win out over past form. Will Steve Hansen and his merry men again pick players who didn't stand out in the Super XV, but have proven themselves in previous seasons in the black jersey? Will those who have truly impressed at Super XV level this year miss out in favour of the 'tried and true who haven't really performed, but probably will in the black jersey'?

It is my opinion that Steve Hansen and Co. need to think ahead to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and start giving young players who are playing phenomenally the chance to get experience in the coveted All Blacks jersey. It is a fact that of the 2012 All Blacks, 8 were aged 30 or over, and while it's great to think these guys could all still be performing at their peak in 18 months time, the fact of the matter is that with age, performance declines, players are more susceptible to injury and being presented with

Every team needs a little mongrel... and Jarrad Hoeata
is the most mongrel-ific player in NZ rugby right now!

European and Japanese contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is understandably enticing. No player's future through to RWC 2015 is certain, but it has to be least certain for the more 'senior' members of the team.

A prime example of choosing past form over current form comes in the shape of Piri Weepu. He was selected for the All Blacks in 2012, much to the shock of even his most devoted fans. His Super XV performance had been lacklustre, particularly with comparison to the man who missed out because of Piri – Andy Ellis. In all, Piri Weepu had two or three starts last year, and generally came off the bench with about 20

He may be a little on the young side, but
Sam Cane holds a lot of potential....

minutes to go. In all but one game he made little to no impact in his few minutes on the field, and as the season progressed one really had to wonder exactly what Steve Hansen could see in Piri, that no one else could. I won't go into the real reason I believe Piri made the squad. That is between Steve & Piri...

It is understandable that the All Blacks selectors want to pick sides who can win – but no team can win all of the time, and maybe it's worth sacrificing a win or two in order to start giving the developing players experience in the All Black jersey. In 2012 Steve and co. DID get some new blood into the team – the likes of Aaron Smith and Julian Savea proving that the young fellas have what it takes to compete at international level. In the case of Aaron Smith he went from being a general unknown to the choice #9 for the All Blacks, in place of Piri Weepu. Tawera Kerr-Barlow then went on to become the second choice #9. Behind Aaron Smith. Ahead of Piri Weepu. You know – 'full of past experience' Piri Weepu.

Straight men can probably skip the following...

Not your stereotypical hotty, but like it or not,
Matt Todd IS hot!

One thing that IS a certainty however, is that New Zealand rugby is ALWAYS going to be full of quality eye candy. Whether you like the clean cut look or the more rugged look, it is a dead cert that within NZ rugby, you will find a large list of candidates to perve on each weekend. I am sure that all the women who visit Pink Rugby, firstly do so because they purely enjoy the game of rugby... but I am just as sure that for a large majority, the appeal isn't purely... pure!

It is with this thought... nay, FACT, in mind, that I give you my first official NZ 1^st XV (& the requisite 7 reserves). As with all team predictions, the choices are very much subjective, but I'm sure that you will all agree with at least one player on the McBonbon 1^st XV. Seeing as it is rather hard [for me personally] to find a hot 1, 2 or 3, I have opted to choose the 22 hottest players, regardless of their onfield position.

The McBonbon 1^st XV

(in no particular order.... for the most part)

1. Zac Guildford (Crusaders)
2. Richie McCaw (Crusaders)
3. Matt Todd (Crusaders)
4. Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders)
5. Phil Burleigh (Highlanders)
6. Daniel Carter (Crusaders)
7. Liam Messam (Chiefs)
8. Shaun Treeby (Highlanders)
9. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
10. Tamati Ellison (Highlanders)
11. Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
12. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
13. Cory Jane (Hurricanes)
14. Kade Poki (Highlanders)
15. Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
16. Sam Cane (Chiefs)
17. Andre Taylor (Hurricanes)
18. Dominic Bird (Crusaders)
19. Andy Ellis (Crusaders)
20. Ali Williams (Blues)
21. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
22. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

Highlanders.... *shakes head*

(also published on Pink Rugby)

When it was announced that the Highlanders had the services of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and

I too would be bowing my head in shame

Brad Thorn for the 2013 Super Rugby season, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very competitive team. Between them, the three new signings have 231 All Blacks caps, and 305 Super Rugby caps – when added to the likes of Andrew Hore, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very magical team for 2013. Definitely the team to watch!

Some very impressive pairings automatically came to mind – Hore and Woodcock in the front row, Thorn and Jarrad Hoeata together in the locking department, then in the backs Aaron Smith feeding the ball to Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith. Ten players with All Black & Maori All Blacks experience, it seemed like a no brainer. As an ex-Highlanders supporter I must admit that I

Elliot Dixon
... tats AND the man can play!

perience to the team. While I'm sure their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to the other players on the team, it seems that the Highlanders have become almost a 'retirement home' for players. Rather than playing with the energy and vitality of younger players, all these new, experienced signings seem to be making little impact at all on the team, almost as if they'd be happier sitting down to a game of BINGO or crib, while sipping on a sherry.

When you look at numbers (as I regularly do, having a fetish for rugby statistics), on paper the Highlanders have the oldest average age, at 25.7 years, followed by the Hurricanes on 25.1, the Chiefs on 24.8, the Blues on 24.0 and the Crusaders on 23.7. When analysed even further – focusing solely on forward packs, the Highlanders again have the oldest age average, at 27.9 years, with the four other teams averaging between 25.1 and 25.9 years. These averages make it clear that while age can often mean experience – it doesn't always translate into success.

As we enter round nine, it seems that the Highlanders coaches are shaking things up to try and get

One can watch the Highlanders lose....
and perve at Phil Burleigh....

that elusive first win of the season – All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have been dropped, in favour of some lesser-known names. I personally think this is a good thing – because it HAS been all the 'lesser' knowns from the team, who are performing well this year. The likes of Elliot Dixon, Phil Burleigh (who also has the added benefit of being some major eye candy!) and Kade Poki have been playing exceptionally well. I think it's time for the coaches to stop waiting for the bigger names (namely any player who has worn the black jersey in the last 24 months) to finally step up, and for them to instead give the lesser-knowns a chance to prove their worth.

Jarrad Hoeata.
Just cos he's hot.
Unlike the Highlanders.

While I'm at it, perhaps the Highlanders lack of success is all down to the 'Nonu Curse'. Think about it it. 2011 – Hurricanes play badly. With Nonu. 2012 – Blues play badly. With Nonu. 2013 – Highlanders are playing badly. With Nonu. Yes, perhaps it's unfair to suggest, but I guarantee you it is a thought that every Kiwi rugby fan has had over the past couple of weeks. I would go as far as to say that the 'Landers will secure their first win without Nonu on the field.

OF COURSE it's not all bad. If the Super XV was a sexy-man competition, the Highlanders would be sitting in the top four, especially when Tamati Ellison comes back from injury in the next couple of weeks.

Crusaders Backs Woes Over! Oh Wait...........

(also published on Pink Rugby)

Johnny McNicholl being awesome

If you remember, I recently blogged about the doom and gloom surrounding the Crusaders outside backs.

In case you don't remember, here is a brief rundown:

Zac Guildford (who it is clear I am rather fond of) was out of rugby indefinitely, due to what the media liked to call 'off field issues' – aka, alcoholism. Sean Maitland had moved to greener, colder pastures to play for Glasgow and Scotland. Israel Dagg was suddenly the most senior, experienced member of the outside backs, with Tom Marshall and Adam Whitelock adding SOME experience – but no international experience. Johnny McNicholl was the new kid, the yet-to-be-capped debutant who had impressed in the 2012 ITM Cup.

THEN, a sigh of relief was breathed when (two weeks after my initial piece was published), Zac was reinstated to the Crusaders and FINALLY some of the much needed experience was back. Furthermore, Tom Marshall had been putting on some rather impressive displays on the wing and at fullback, while young Johnny McNicholl was also making his mark on the game, proving he was more than up to the standard required to play at Super XV level. It seemed that between Dagg, Guildford, Marshall and McNicholl, the Crusaders were onto something.

After two losses on the run, the Crusaders returned to Christchurch and took on the Bulls. Tom Marshall scored a sublime solo-effort try from halfway, Johnny McNicholl notched up his first Super XV try, and Israel Dagg gave a solid performance at fullback. After what had been a dismal,

Tom Marshall
arguably the in form Crusader of the season

disappointing, worrisome start to the season, the Crusaders seemed to be back on track. Zac Guildford joined with the team the day before the match, and it is said he addressed the team and gave a very emotional, inspirational speech – which both captain and coach said inspired the team to win. The team was complete. They were back together – and the following week Zac would be up for selection. It seemed that the Crusaders outside back woes were a thing of the past.

The following week, Zac was selected on the bench for the game against the Kings, with Dagg, Marshall and McNicholl in the starting 15. It was assumed that Zac would go on with 20-30 minutes left on the clock – a chance to give him a bit of a hit out, to wean him back into the game gently.

Zac Guildford ran onto the field in the starting 15 that night – and it wasn't because of a last minute shuffle either. No. That would have been too easy. Too straightforward. Instead, Zac Guildford was promoted from bench to starting 15 because of an injury. A hamstring injury to Israel Dagg – which is ironic, because a hamstring injury is what kept Zac out of most of the 2012 ITM Cup.

Matt Todd crosses the tryline against the Stormers

Adam Whitelock moved to the bench, Tom Marshall went to fullback, Zac reclaimed the #11 jersey, with Johnny moving to the #14 jersey. The team went on to win – and to win well. Tom Marshall again played exceptionally well, and the fact that Israel Dagg wasn't on the field didn't seem like such a huge deal at the end of the day. Besides, Izzy only had a hamstring strain, and it was confirmed he would be back the following week, when the Crusaders were to play the Stormers in Cape Town.

A glorious sight to behold....

What a relief, the Crusaders would have their strongest outside back trio for the Stormers – a game that would undoubtedly be their toughest match of the season to date.

Guildford was named on the bench again, with McNicholl, Dagg and Marshall in the 11, 15 and 14 jerseys. McNicholl had proven himself and Guildford would provide fresh (very experienced) legs off the bench – something that would be very beneficial in what would undoubtedly be a very physical encounter against the Stormers. Adam Whitelock was also named on the bench, as cover for the midfield backs – a good way to ensure all the outside backs got a bit of game time.

BUT THEN.... (go on, you were expecting a 'but then', weren't you!!!)

On Friday morning I was greeted by a tweet on Twitter, casually mentioning that Israel Dagg had

The team were sans Israel Dagg, again

again withdrawn from the team, due to that pesky tight hamstring. This time it wasn't as simple as putting Zac in the starting 15 and having Adam Whitelock replace him on the bench. If you remember, Adam Whitelock was already ON the bench. No problem – we know Tom Taylor can play at fullback if need be. OH WAIT. He was unavailable because of an INJURY!

The Crusaders were officially lacking someone to sit on the bench in the #22 jersey. There was no one to fill in as a replacement for the outside backs.

So.... the coaching team did what any coaching team would do – and put a flanker on the bench for the outside backs. One would imagine that the coaching team hoped and prayed they wouldn't need to use him. As long as there were no injuries, they would be fine.

Naturally, Johnny McNicholl broke his ankle in the 20^th minute of the game.

The team catch their breath... for a minute

A collective “OH F**K!” could be heard across Crusader-land (well, if it hadn't been 6.30am local time, I'm sure it would have been) as McNicholl was carted off the field, his season over. The situation for the outside backs was suddenly looking dire again.

Adam Whitelock took Johnny's place on the wing and the midfield backs played out the full 80 minutes, so there was no need for history to repeat itself and for a flanker to be thrown from the scrum to the wing. Yea. That happened before. In 2011 Matt Todd had to play on the wing due to injuries amongst the backs. The game was against the Stormers. In Cape Town. Deja vu anyone?

The Crusaders – sans Richie McCaw, Kieran Read (injured), Dan Carter (on paternity leave), Israel

So serious, boys!

Dagg and Owen Franks (off after 20 minutes with a rib injury), went on to unexpectedly beat the Stormers. It's an enormous undertaking for a team to beat a South African franchise in South Africa, but for a team to do it when missing who could be argued to be their most influential players – it's almost a miracle.

The final score was 19-14, with the Crusaders only try coming from Matt Todd – the remaining 15 points all being kicked by understudy to Dan Carter, Tyler Bleyendaal. The Crusaders attacking AND defensive efforts were amazing (in fairness, so were the Stormers), and by recording the win, they surely sent a message to the other Super XV franchises. A very scary message at that.

Jubilation after an amazing effort by the boys in
Red and Black.
Well.
White and Red.

BUT (remember, there is always a but!) ther Crusaders are again in a very precarious position with regard to their outside backs. Telusa Veainu has been called in as back up for McNicholl – but he is it for the remainder of the competition. Another Crusaders outside back being injured would be a major problem for the franchise, and hopefully a problem that doesn't eventuate.

On a personal level, I am hugely upset by the injury to Johnny. I became excited by him in the 2012 ITM Cup and just knew he'd get a Super XV contract – which he did. I've loved watching his progress and seeing him impress in his first year with the Crusaders. My plan had been to do a Kiwi Focus piece on Johnny later on in the season, when he was the player everyone was talking about – but obviously that won't be happening now...