Weeping over Weepu?
Poor Piri Weepu must be devastated at having played, or at least been involved in, pretty much every All Blacks squad since the last Rugby World Cup, and then missed out on the most important squad of all.
But his form has waned as Brendon Leonard’s has waxed this year, and most of you feel that Graham Henry has made the right choice in leaving Weepu – and the in-form Troy Flavell and Rico Gear – behind, although as ever, there are one or two dissenters…
Here is a collection of your thoughts on the ABs RWC squad…
“Weepu has been out of form. He has adopted the ‘Gregan’ style of passing from the base of the scrum, that is taking one-and-a-half steps before passing the ball. His ‘box-kicks’ have not been well-directed and noticeably he has also been missing tackles which is something that he does not normally do.
“Ellis is an impressive scrum-half and I believe he will serve the All Blacks’ interests better in the RWC than Weepu. Kelleher is also out of form and is struggling at the present time. I would be using Leonard to start the games in order to give the ABs momentum, then Kelleher later in the game.”
– Mike Duffy, Melbourne
“Yes it was definitley the right choice, neither player was playing to their potential and we haven’t got time for moddle coddling.
“Why has Rico Gear’s demise been taken in a lighter text when that guy could probably find a place in most other World Cup squads – and I’m talking about the major nations.
“Troy is a great player but even he will have to admit he can and has played a hell of a lot better in the past.
“Now for Piri, he hasn’t been playing well all season, living on a wing and a prayer or past tense, he just doesn’t deserve to be there and leave the likes of Lenoard sitting on the sideline; and his hairstyles have been driving me nuts. What is it with those Wellingtonians!?”
– Pamela Panapa
“It’s crazy to select Reuben ‘do nothing’ Thorne ahead of ‘hardman’ Flavell. Piri Weepu has been a little off lately but Henry still picks Mauger who has been off form forever! Gear has so much more razzle-dazzle than the busy but predictable Doug H.
“It’s sad to see there are no Maoris in the team with Flavell, Gear and Wepu all ousted. Hayman may have a splash, so he’ll lead the Haka I guess. I could go on and on with other mistakes I think Henry made, but none compare to keeping Thorne.”
– A disappointed and not too confident Mark Rusden
“I like Troy Flavell but I believe that Graham Henry and team have made the right call. Weepu has definitely played ‘nervously’ which proves he would be a gamble for the World Cup. Pretty good selections all round.”
– Michael Dawson, Ireland
“Pretty good, but areas of concern: Centres. Too small, too inexperienced. They will be targeted.
“Where is Rico Gear? He will be missed.
“Anton Oliver? Surely the stats men have checked out how many throw in’s he loses? Obviously not. When he went off and Mealamu came on, the game changed immensely.”
– Richard Johnson
“Troy Flavell and Piri Weepu being omitted is a “NO”. We’re going to need all the international experience that we can get for the World Cup. As history suggests, World Cups are usually won with the more experienced teams.
“Brendon Leonard may be in scintillating form but he is yet to be tested and if he gets found out then we’re in trouble. And as for selection based on form? I don’t think so!
“Could somebody please tell me how Reuben “The ghost who walks” Thorne of NZ Rugby merits his selection? I would’ve also gone with Marty Holah in the specialist No.7 position as cover for McCaw instead of Chris Masoe, as Masoe is too slow to the breakdown and Holah tends to pilfer more ball and win a lot more crucial turnovers.
“I would’ve had Weepu in for Andrew Ellis, Flavell in for Thorne to cover the back row postion and because he can also play lock, and Holah in for Masoe.
“But other than that I’m pretty happy with the rest of the squad. Go the all mighty All Blacks!!! Bring back home the World Cup!!
– William Kailomani
“I am impressed! I would have taken Troy Flavell or Ross Filipo over Reuben Thorne, Ma’a Nonu or Richard Kahui over Conrad Smith, and Rico Gear over Doug Howlett; however, the rest of the choices were perfect with probably no complaints from anyone.
“I am not sure why John Schwalger could not be named – surely a fourth prop has to be that vacancy. He has played very well right since game one for the Hurricanes. Even if Greg Somerville is fit, he has no right to obtain that final spot over Schwalger.
“Sorry to hear about Piri Weepu but quite rightfully so. Unfortunately, he just didn’t fire since the return from the injury and he was given plenty of fair opportunities.
“Both Sione Lauaki and Andy Ellis may be surprises, but pleasant ones that I agree with and salute the coaches/selectors for their eyes of recognition – they deserved the selection and will add that extra muscle as runners from the fringe and those ‘standing start/nothing-on’ scenarios.
“I am just a little concerned about Ma’a Nonu. I hope he will be a included as the first replacement should a back go down. I believe NZ have ignored the lesson to be learned from the last two RWC’s by developing the other elements of a busting battle-ram number thirteen to embellish attacking and exciting backline potency.”
– Stuart Smith
