NZ coaching staff have tough task in picking WCup squad
Source: Agencies |
August 18, 2011, Thursday
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NEW Zealand face some difficult selection issues ahead of the World Cup with two key areas yet to be resolved less than a week before the All Blacks name their final 30-man squad.
The All Blacks will on Tuesday reveal the squad they hope can lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987 and Saturday's Tri-Nations test against South Africa represents the last chance for players to impress.
"Everyone in our squad is in contention, but we can only pick 30 and some areas are difficult in terms of selection, particularly the back three and the loose forwards," assistant coach Steve Hansen said yesterday.
New Zealand have started the season well with wins over Fiji, South Africa and Australia but now face a dilemma over which six players will fill the winger and full back positions for the hosts at the September 9 to October 23 tournament.
"All our back three have come into excellent form at the same time but you can't fit nine into six, so three guys are going to have to miss out, which is tremendously sad," Hansen said in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
"There are some dead-set certainties and we all know who they are, but for the others, we have to get the mix right.
"The loose forwards fall into that area and the back three, but it's not a bad problem to have."
The All Blacks forward coach did, however, give hope to the players who do not make the initial 30-man squad, saying there could still be chances for them to play in the World Cup.
"I just hope that once they are over the initial disappointment they will keep working hard because there will be opportunities once the World Cup starts due to injuries," the former Wales coach added.
Meanwhile, Wallabies veteran Matt Giteau has given every indication he will not be part of Australia's World Cup campaign, using a social networking forum to suggest he won't be part of the 30-man squad.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said his 30-man World Cup squad is settled pending fitness tests on injured players.
The All Blacks will on Tuesday reveal the squad they hope can lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987 and Saturday's Tri-Nations test against South Africa represents the last chance for players to impress.
"Everyone in our squad is in contention, but we can only pick 30 and some areas are difficult in terms of selection, particularly the back three and the loose forwards," assistant coach Steve Hansen said yesterday.
New Zealand have started the season well with wins over Fiji, South Africa and Australia but now face a dilemma over which six players will fill the winger and full back positions for the hosts at the September 9 to October 23 tournament.
"All our back three have come into excellent form at the same time but you can't fit nine into six, so three guys are going to have to miss out, which is tremendously sad," Hansen said in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
"There are some dead-set certainties and we all know who they are, but for the others, we have to get the mix right.
"The loose forwards fall into that area and the back three, but it's not a bad problem to have."
The All Blacks forward coach did, however, give hope to the players who do not make the initial 30-man squad, saying there could still be chances for them to play in the World Cup.
"I just hope that once they are over the initial disappointment they will keep working hard because there will be opportunities once the World Cup starts due to injuries," the former Wales coach added.
Meanwhile, Wallabies veteran Matt Giteau has given every indication he will not be part of Australia's World Cup campaign, using a social networking forum to suggest he won't be part of the 30-man squad.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said his 30-man World Cup squad is settled pending fitness tests on injured players.
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