Tawera Kerr-Barlow: Gets the nod
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New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has named two uncapped players in his 32-man squad for the world champions' forthcoming European tour.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Dane Coles are the only novices in the party for Test matches against Scotland, Italy, Wales and England.
Waikato's Kerr-Barlow takes the third scrum-half spot previously held by Andy Ellis while Coles of Wellington joins veteran hookers Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore.
Hansen said Coles and Kerr-Barlow are "young and exciting players who have shown this year that they look more than capable of stepping up to Test match rugby."
Lock Ali Williams is back for the first time since June after a successful rehabilitation from knee surgery, while flanker Adam Thomson has also been recalled despite the imminent expiry of his New Zealand Rugby Union contract.
The All Blacks are unbeaten under Hansen.
"Tours to the northern hemisphere always bring unique challenges and this tour will be no different," he said.
"For many of the newer players in the All Blacks it will be the first time they have experienced test matches in the UK and Europe, and they are always big occasions."
All Blacks touring squad:
Forwards: Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Ali Williams, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Adam Thomson, Victor Vito.
Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea.
Comments
Paulo says...
Trinats2 - check this out . . . you can take a kiwi out of NZ, but you can't take NZ out of a kiwi!!!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7879296/Kerr-Barlow-always-wanted-ABs-jersey
Posted 20:58 29th October 2012
missionary says...
@ Trinats - he's a kiwi mate. You know it. Just to underline it, he's Maori.
As for team, like many here in NZ, we are not happy about Ali Williams especially, being in that squad. He has nothing to offer the AB's on the park. Maybe off it, but certainly not on it. Craig Clarke must be bitterly disappointed. Wait to see Crockett get penalised out of any game he plays due to his illegal scrummaging technique. Agree with comments around Weepu, but it is what it is (as with Ali). A 2nd string team to play against Italy. Scotland to get hammered and the English and Welsh to give us a serious hurry up if not snatch one.
Posted 20:42 29th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
@TRINATS is fishing guys!! he he..Cheeky bugger..Aussie has been yanking our chain for years..Sometimes you just need to stop laugh (don't be precious)..It's the Pharlap,Crowded house,Pavlova,Edmund Hillary,Olympics syndrome all over again ha ha. & I'm happy for them to claim Quade,O'connor,Ioane,Kepu,harris....bla bla..They have realised the only way to be competitive is by assimilation..(aka oz league)..If you cant beat them....be them..(joke)
Posted 19:36 29th October 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ Trinads - Yes it is a travesty when people use indigenous Convict names like Tawera instead of Skip or Cobber or Sheila.
Posted 19:35 29th October 2012
Ripzy007 says...
@jonesy2 ...sam cane is in the touring team.
Posted 19:35 29th October 2012
davodiablo says...
Ramage ...Trinuts is the child who throws stones at the next door neighbours window and then runs away . He might sneak back for a peak to look at the damage and congratulate himself .Don't expect a well thought out reply
There are descent Australians on this forum, unfortunately Trinuts isn't one of them .
Posted 18:39 29th October 2012
heathy says...
Guys guys guys, come on now. Let's not get all worked up and silly about this. In fairness to Trinats2 there has been a lot of this talk of who should represent who when it comes to picking a side recently. England selected Maku Vunipola and got all sorts of messages from Kiwi's re poaching even though he was in the UK as a small boy, has played all his junior rugby here through the age groups and England have developed him as a player AND he wants to play for England and no-one else. He's also actually of Tongan heritage if we are being specific. So, the rules are the rules and I see no reason why Kerr-Barlow shouldn't be an All Black. Come on boys, be adults and if any player was not eligable then they wouldn't be allowed to represent said country. These guys are both great prospects and I wish we had them as we need them more lol.
Posted 16:06 29th October 2012
ferdie says...
Trinats2 says...LOL !!!
by your logic then the new Reds prop Jono Owen is ineligible for Australia, given his birthplace?
Give it a rest.
Posted 13:31 29th October 2012
Dangerous says...
Wonder if Hansen would ever flirt with the idea of having gear or savea at centre?
Posted 13:04 29th October 2012
Ramage says...
So tell me Trinuts, you old troll, what has Australia done if anything to develop Kerr Barlow in the game of rugby. You have plenty to say you old trol,so come on give me anything you know about anything that Australia has put into his development. I and many others on here will be waiting for you reply. Facts though Trinuts not you usual loud mouth dribble. I'll start with Hamilton Boys High but yes perhaps he might have had training at Primary School so can you tell us where he went to Primary School or did the poachers sign him up from his cot at the maternity home in Victoria.
A good strong team and good to see Kerr Barlow and Coles selections. Would have liked to see Clarke selected rather than Williams but realise that Hansen wants him as well as Weepu. Well this is their chance to improve or Hansen will finally be forced to axe them after they return. Will they get a run well that will be the interesting point. Where and when?
Posted 13:04 29th October 2012
Ramage says...
So tell me Trinuts, you old troll, what has Australia done if anything to develop Kerr Barlow in the game of rugby. You have plenty to say you old trol,so come on give me anything you know about anything that Australia has put into his development. I and many others on here will be waiting for you reply. Facts though Trinuts not you usual loud mouth dribble. I'll start with Hamilton Boys High but yes perhaps he might have had training at Primary School so can you tell us where he went to Primary School or did the poachers sign him up from his cot at the maternity home in Victoria.
A good strong team and good to see Kerr Barlow and Coles selections. Would have liked to see Clarke selected rather than Williams but realise that Hansen wants him as well as Weepu. Well this is their chance to improve or Hansen will finally be forced to axe them after they return. Will they get a run well that will be the interesting point. Where and when?
Posted 13:04 29th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Well said Ferdie
With Trinats of course it is everyone with NZ parents but lives in Australia shoud be a Wannabie (James O'Connor) and everyone with NZ parents and lives in NZ should be a Wannabie. ( Kerr-Barlow) Go figure. On another post Trinats asked me what my kids would do if they had the choice and my son says that he would not hesitate to take up the AB offer to play for them, as he puts it why would anyone given the choice play for someone who is and basically always has been second best, and he has an Aussie mother. Kerr-Barlow has two NZ parents, so what part of this does Trinats not get?
Posted 12:58 29th October 2012
comeonletsplay says...
Trinats2 - another hip fired comment, that has again back fired on you!! Perhaps, before shooting it off, you should pause and consider the fact that you don't know fact and fiction!!
Posted 11:44 29th October 2012
JayStarr says...
Kerr-barlow is a very exciting scrum-half... I hope he gets a run. He'll be brilliant off the bench - the NH won't know what hit them!
Posted 11:30 29th October 2012
Melkiwi says...
Trinats2 the issue wasn't place of birth it was place of development. He was offered the chance to stay in australia and play there but he said his dream was to play for the all blacks like all good Maori boys
Posted 10:49 29th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well its a very solid squad ,not any real surprises really ,,except that Weepu is still there .Cant say his been at his best this season at all,also a bit surprised E.McCaw is touring ,would have thought it was an ideal time for him to have a rest period ,and see how Read and the other experianced players cope without him.And to see what Cane and Todd can do ,but oh well .
Posted 10:10 29th October 2012
ferdie says...
Trinats2 - well documented that Tawera Kerr-Barlow has always had aspirations for an All Black spot, and that he rejected the approach from ARU re possible Wallabies representation.
Rather typical of your trolling, nil objective comment on the composition of the squad, just more drivel.
TKB - plays his rugby for Waikato in ITM, Chiefs in Super rugby, in World Champ NZ U-20 side 2010.
- his mother says he's wanted to be an AB since age 3. Re Wallabies he says "not at all mate, always been a proud Kiwi". Both NZ parents - m but maybe you'd consider his mother was poached by ARU, born in Oparau, Nth Auckland, she made the Australian women's team as a halfback in 1995 and 1996.
Posted 10:09 29th October 2012
Dangerous says...
Very strong in depth in every position and still some great players left behind.
Posted 10:00 29th October 2012
mew2000 says...
HAving ali williams there is stupid! Weepu is average at best ... Ellis should go over seas and earn some cash cause hansen and co have made a mistake taking those 2 again... Ali will get hurt again and weepu will be average again and hopefully they will finally pick others more deserving.... All Blacks were suppose to be the elite NZ players not the average ones! There are better half backs and locks playing than those tossers!
Posted 08:52 29th October 2012
ferdie says...
solid squad, and no surprises Hansen had indicated this was no time for experimenting and a predictable lot, decent mix I think - eleven of them have ten test caps or less, then there are nine with over 50.
A pity there is no longer room for NZ 'A' teams any more as a squad of un-capped players from Super rugby would be good to see in action.
Posted 08:14 29th October 2012