New Zealand '95-Now Draft

Terrific back row. Love it. Nice back line. Even though bunce was a John Doe player when I left new zealand and made his mark afterwards.
Don't care for your locks. Romano has done his dash with the ABs he was the softest hard man I have ever seen.

Strong front row.

You are a contender for best side.

No comment many players before my time e.g. Brown.

Ian Jones the jewel in your forward pack I envy that pick. Doesn't surprise me you went for a solid grouping in the front row.
I havn't seen much of your back row except for highlight reels. But they strike me as a small but mobile unit by international standards.

Would not have picked McAlister if this thing had gone 500 rounds. Got himself yellow carded in 2007 didn't he. Although he did score the try.

 

A very likeable front row but not as strong as some of the other contenders. Like me you must have left them to later rounds.

Boric a terrific pick. Good knowledge of the game there.

3rd best back row behind me and Starris (with apologies to Jabba's who I can't rate). All serviceable players with Waldrom possibly being out of his depth if these teams were to play each other. That is a strong comment - I think that he wouldn't shine.

I have no time for Spencer and associate him with the 2003 effort. Still there weren't many 10s to pick from and he will be solid for you.

Your 11 I would not have picked as he was sensational at the start of his career and lived on his laurels for the last two years and arguably lost us at least two test matches against SA that year they kept doing up and unders and he couldn't catch them.

Great centres - Fruean was a steal and always liked Masaga.

Would not have picked Guildford - he has less pace that what he appears to have (flatters to deceive is that the expression?)

Although I have pointed out a few players I wouldn't have gone with - this is a good side and would hold its own against any of the other sides in a match.
I think if you were to win games it would be through your backs.

 

Cheers,

I just checked - two of those players I commented on you inherited from Howe as well...haha.

 

He's like a rich man's Quade Cooper - but I don't think either is suited to test match rugby which is about your 1st 5 playing percentage rugby as opposed to showing flair.

Still I think he was immensely more talented than Cooper - and his bad days were much fewer than our friend from Tokoroa

 

Brumby up. Gazza to pick when he sees this.