The Rugby Championship Team Preview: New Zealand

The All Blacks are, as per usual, the favorites to win this tournament, and probably even the World Cup. They have an abundance of riches at nearly every position, and have several big names back in contention for the side this season, such as Sonny Bill Williams and Dan Carter. Smug little b@stards.

There is no shortage of experience in the front row for the All Blacks, with the Franks Brothers, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett and Joe Moody all fighting for their respective side of the scrum. Young Nepo Laulala will get his chance off the bench this weekend against Argentina, but it is unlikely that he will remain in the side against tougher opposition. Hika Elliot’s great return from injury continues as he finds himself in the All Blacks squad, but he faces tough competition from Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu.

The All Blacks are spoiled rotten in the second rows at the moment. First choice pairing is likely to be 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year Brodie Retaillick, and one of the most consistent second rows in the world, Sam Whitelock. As always, Jeremy Thrush and Luke Romano will provide these two with plenty of competition, and there is Hurricanes new boy James Broadhurst, who has been in outstanding form this season. What sets this group apart is their great hands, as they consistently put teammates into space, but they are smart enough to know when to put their head down and take contact as well.

In the back row, the All Blacks are spoiled for choice once again. The battle for the blindside is largely between Liam Messam and Jerome Kaino. Both are talented, but Kaino’s experience and remarkable power will likely see him take the edge in this battle. Richie McCaw will captain the side from the openside, with Kieran Reid likely to use his magic offloading from No.8. There is a group of young players in the side, fighting their forward, such as Sam Cane and Victor Vito, while Matt Todd’s consistent play has been rewarded with a spot in the squad, and his good work may even see him into the squad during a few tests.

The competition for the 9 shirt will be fierce. Aaron Smith has been dominant this season for the Highlanders, helping them rack up points, and putting Waisake Naholo in the try zone time and time again. TJ Perenara has been in amazing scoring form this season, but his service and decision making have been superb as well. Its also worth mentioning Tawera Kerr Barlow, who has made an incredible recovery from the horrific injury he suffered against the Springboks last year.

At Flyhalf, some guy named Dan Carter is apparently a good player or something, I dont really know. Thats a joke of course, Carter is a legend, but with his best days perhaps behind him, the likes of Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga will be breathing down his neck, let alone the likes of Beauden Barrett, who has been unstoppable for the Hurricanes this season. Carter played pretty well against Samoa, but if he does not impress against Argentina he can probably expect to loss the ten shirt to some of his younger rivals. Sopoaga has been in fantastic form this season, but I expect that he will have to play second fiddle to the more experienced Barrett and Slade.

In the centers, the return of Sonny Bill Williams is fantastic news, as you really can’t beat watching his absurd offloading. Interestingly Steve Hansen has experimented with a pairing of Sonny Bill at 12, and Ma’a Nonu at 13. That duo should yield some real power and sublime distribution. Now, I suspect that we will see Conrad Smith return against the likes of Austrailia and South Africa, but he still faces more competition, with Malakai Fekitoa, and Ryan Crotty also having very impressive seasons. The All Blacks have an obscene amount of depth in the centers and the position will be a big part of their charge to retain the title.

In the back three New Zealand possess some of the world’s best athletes. Ben Smith and Israel Dagg will resume their battle for the 15 shirt, with Dagg getting the first crack at it as he returns from a plethora of injuries. The magical Smith was outstanding for the All Blacks last season, so dont be surprised if we see him back in the side sooner rather than later. I don’t really need to dwell on Julian Savea do I? Arguably the most dominant winger in the world at the moment, Savea is the complete package and a great weapon for the All Blacks. Fighting it out for the other wing are, the aforementioned Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Charles Piatau, Cory Jane and Waisake Naholo. Milner Skudder and Naholo are in outstanding form at the moment, as both dominated Super Rugby this season, with Naholo scoring a mesmerizing 13 tries. Milner Skudder is unlikely to miss out on this weekends match, but I suspect we will see him make his first cap before the World Cup.

New Zealand have an astonishing array of talent at their disposal, and are definitely my favorites to win the tournament. With Richie McCaws retirement looking increasingly imminent, and Dan Carter giving up the All Blacks jersey at the end of this season, the All Blacks will be fired up, eager to send two of their legends off with plenty of new silverware.

Probable Starting XV: 1. Wyatt Crockett 2. Dane Coles 3. Owen Franks 4. Brodie Retaillick 5. Sam Whitlock 6. Jerome Kaino 7. Richie McCawⒸ 8. Kieran Reid 9. Aaron Smith 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Waisake Naholo 12. Sonny Bill Williams 13. Ma’a Nonu 14. Julian Savea 15. Ben Smith

Young Player to Watch: Waisake Naholo

Most Important Player in Attack: Aaron Smith

Most Important Player in Defence: Richie McCaw