RWC likely squad: the forwards

On Sunday evening the All Blacks squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup gets announced.  This will take place at the Beehive, so there’s no pressure then.

To save you time, here are the 17 forwards they are likely to pick.

 

Coles

Mealamu

Taylor

 

Woodcock

O Franks

B Franks

Crockett

Laulala

Retallick

Whitelock

Romano

 

Sir Next Prime Minister of New Zealand

Ardie Savea

Cane

Read

Vito

Kaino

Messam

The hookers pick themselves.  Nobody knows anything about props but those five seem to have been getting the most game-time in 2015, and selectors have indicated they love a bit of age when it comes to the front row.

Up until Jeremy Thrush’s injury last week he was probably in line for the final forwards spot, with a balance of 4 locks and 5 loose forwards.  However, that would now mean such a split would see Broadhurst as the fourth lock, and the match at Ellis Park indicated that would be risky.   So the 3-6 split now seems more likely.

That makes Brodie Retallick’s fitness even more vital.  He is in the top handful of players in the “Biggest Impact should he get injured” list.

Tomorrow:  The Backs