Predicted squad of 31 for All Blacks World Cup squad
The naming of the All Blacks squad of 31 to head over to Japan to try and get a three-peat of Rugby World Cup victories is announced in less than 48 hours (I have written this just after midday on Monday 26 August 2019) so I thought I’d attempt to be some type of rugby pundit and guess who will be in that 31.
I don’t think of myself as a rugby team selector because I know rugby selectors in real life love selecting an unusually large number of props and hookers, they’d put 31 props in the squad if they had their way. So in terms of props I researched who other rugby pundits thought would be in the squad. For the rest of the squad though I feel I have a better idea of who would be in the squad from their performance in both Super Rugby and test match rugby but front row play is like watching a Twin Peaks episode in that I enjoy it but I have no idea what is going on.
Without further ado here is the 31 I think they’ll go with:
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Ardie Savea
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read ©
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. George Bridge
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Ryan Crotty
14. Sevu Reece
15. Beauden Barrett
16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Scott Barrett
20. Matt Todd
21. TJ Perenara
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Jordie Barrett
24. Ben Smith
25. Rieko Ioane
26. Jack Goodhue
27. Patrick Tuipolotu
28. Brad Weber
29. Liam Squire
30. Liam Coltman
31. Nepo Laulala