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)