Their inclusion comes at the expense of veterans Israel Dagg and Cory Jane, both of whom were key members of New Zealand’s 2011 Cup-winning squad but have been prevented by injuries from fully pressing selection claims.
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With the calibre of players that missed out, the depth of New Zealand Rugby is truly seen.
“We don’t know what’s in some of these traditional medicines so from that point of view where there is an unknown there is some risk involved”, said Dr Steel. We are a tight-knit family and it’s always hard when players miss out.
Meanwhile, former All Blacks flanker Scott Robertson is backing the Canterbury players omitted from the Rugby World Cup squad to put their disappointment behind them and shine in the national provincial championships.
“I have healed many Fijian rugby players and I have seen players recover well and play rugby like nothing happened to them”.
Hansen added that just because certain players have not made the cut, it does not necessarily mean their World Cup chances are definitely over.
He agreed with the sentiment of former All Blacks skipper Sean Fitzpatrick, who described this year’s tournament in the United Kingdom as the toughest yet to win because of the quality on offer across the top seven teams.
“The World Cup is not ours – we have to give it back”, the coach said.
Canterbury No 8 Kieran Read said on Sky TV he was in the shower when the call came through on Sunday morning that he was going to his second Rugby World Cup. The Cup isn’t ours.
The selections of one-test Naholo, and two-Test whiz kid Nehe Milner-Skudder as the wing options alongside Julian Savea has led some to question whether there is enough experience in the position. “It brings an attitude not of expectation that we should win it by right but that we have to go out and earn it by high class, world class performances”.
“In doing so, we have to do something that no one has ever done before”. But that is a hugely exciting challenge and one I believe the team will rise to.
The day has arrived for possibly the most eagerly awaited All Blacks team naming in history, with players filtering into Wellington for announcement at Parliament. The All Blacks will then face Namibia four days later at The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with their remaining Pool C matches against Georgia at the Millennium Stadium on 2 October and Tonga a week later at St James’ Park in Newcastle.
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England, who open the World Cup against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18, will now depend greatly on fly-half George Ford to orchestrate their attack.
