Forwards for the All Blacks squad

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="567889" data-time="1459151550">
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Ardie shits all over Todd. Ardie is far more dynamic and I would even go as far to say that he could even push Cane for a starters jersey. He is the Hurricanes best player by a long way and I would love to see him pull on the All Black jersey in 2016. However its more likely he will end up pulling on a sevens jersey come olympic time.
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Combinations > Individuals. I could see Ardie being selected for the EOYT but as an impact player off the bench.
 
So who's out? From what I can remember there's:
Injured: Laulala, Manu
Sevens: Ardie, Ioane, Messam
Gorne: Vito

pukunui

A good way to look at it is to see who we have lost and then try to fill the gaps as most of the remaining guys from last year will probably get a shot to prove they are or aren't up to it still.
Mccaw> Ardie: just has to be given a go if 7's doesn't get in the way) Todd also in with a chance.
Woodcock> Moody: Was already there last year and will push Crockett hard for the starting spot. Looks like we might need to find another prop or two with the injuries to Laulala and Manu.
Messam> Dixon: Has been playing really well for a while and has been talked about by Hansen apparently.
Vito> Blade Thompson?: Covers that Blindside/Lock role that is valuable on the bench. Ioane worth a mention for this spot or the one above if sevens allows.
Thrush> Pat T and Romano are back from injury, Broadhurst still injured but could find his form from last year again.
Mealamu> Hika?
 
First choice for me is:
Moody (or Crockett, I don't know enough about props to decide)
Coles
Franks
BBBR
Whitelock
Kaino
Cane
Read
 
A Savea and the rest on the bench.

leytonandamanda

Not picked savea cause he will be playing 7's 
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Frank

I'd say Tuipulotu is a near certainty - he has been long term project with big upside if he develops well.
I'd also guess Akira Ioane is a near certainty for the EOYT.

Billy Tell

Moody has been excellent. I would definitely start him & franks with bench impact from faimuiaina & Crockett. 
I expect faimuiaina to jump ship after 2017 as his stated aim was becoming the first choice TH and I don't think he'll do it. Unless franks also heads overseas :(. 
Is Laulala a chance for the EOYT or are we looking at his return in 2017 only??

sparky

Steve Luatau is likely to be in the squad as well. I think Blake Gibson will be an All Black by the end of 2016. Brendon Edmonds can't be far away from a call up at Prop.

tubbyj

I like the look of Ardie Savea. Every Hurricanes game I have watched he has had something special about him. Could be the player we need to quieten down this Pocock is now the greatest stuff from over the other side of the Ta$man.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567925" data-time="1459184818">
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Steve Luatau is likely to be in the squad as well. I think Blake Gibson will be an All Blacks by the end of 2016. Brendon Edmonds can't be far away from a call up at Prop.
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The ABs have invested heavily in Cane and he isn't exactly doing anything wrong. He may not be as dynamic as Ardie but he is playing a McCaw like role in getting to every breakdown and making a massive amount of effective tackles. 
As good as Gibson may look, I can't see him (barring injury) forcing his way up the pecking order.

sparky

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567933" data-time="1459193132">
The ABs have invested heavily in Cane and he isn't exactly doing anything wrong. He may not be as dynamic as Ardie but he is playing a McCaw like role in getting to every breakdown and making a massive amount of effective tackles. 
As good as Gibson may look, I can't see him (barring injury) forcing his way up the pecking order.</blockquote>
Yep, Cane very much the first choice open side, Ardie the back up 7, Gibson to get a debut against Italy.

leytonandamanda

A player who has really impressed me so far is vaea fifita of the Hurricanes 
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bobily

Yep, Fifita has made more metres than Dixon with less game time. He also has a better tackling percentage, so far, and has made nearly as many tackles and is a handy lineout option. Also, Liam Squire, with much less game time (roughly half), has made the same number of metres with the ball as Dixon and has made 3/4 of the number of tackles (so more per min on the field), with a much better completion percentage.

Hooroo

Where do you get this information?

pukunui

Completely forgot about Luatua in my list. Man we have some depth in the back row.

bobily

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="567952" data-time="1459200114">
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Where do you get this information?
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NZ Herald site. They get their stats from Opta, I believe, who supply the NZ super rugby teams with statistics. So it should be pretty accurate.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm</a>

Hooroo

Thanks

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="567952" data-time="1459200114">
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Where do you get this information?
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If you navigate through the options available in this link you will find what you are looking for
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm?'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm?</a>

Tim

I'm surprised that people are mentioning Manu at prop. He was 4th choice at best last year, and hasn't looked good this year.

Crucial

Pity you only get season totals though (unless I am driving it wrong). 
I was interested in seeing what Canes tackle count was against the Force which was looking huge during the first half but probably tailed off once the Chiefs blew them away.

Cantab79

It's interesting to speculate about the make up of Hansen's All Black squads this year, and the forward contingent within these squads.
 
The best hint to what Hansen will do in the future is to look at what he has done in the past. You can't really look at last year because they used an expanded squad for the RC and the RWC squad had slightly different requirements. So if you look at Hansen's 2014 squads, he selected a 31 man squad for the Rugby Championship comprised of 18 forwards and 13 backs. Of those 18 forwards he went with the following split; 2 hookers, 5 props, 4 locks, 7 loosies. I think their 2016 squads are likely to conform to this structure. So assuming that Savea, Ioane and Messam are unavailable because of 7s duties, Nepo Laulala is injured and NH bound Vito is not required unless we are desperate, I think Hansen's 31 man squad for Wales will look a bit like this;
 
Hookers: 
 
Coles
Taylor (I'm not sold on him yet but he took his limited opportunities last year and didn't let anyone down when he was on the field. The fact that the Crusaders set piece is the best of the NZ teams won't hurt his chances either)
 
Props:
 
Franks
Faumuina
Crockett
Moody
+ 1 more prop - I suspect Hansen will want to bring a youngster. This could be based on potential rather than what they have actually achieved. I'm going to be controversial and suggest Ofa Tuungafasi.
 
Locks:
 
Whitelock
Retallick
Romano
Tuipulotu
 
Loosies:
 
Read
Kaino
Cane
Dixon
Todd
Luatua
Liam Squires

Crucial

Don't forget the policy that has injured players return for a chance. 
Nathan Harris come on down

The Silver Fern

Forwards for the All Blacks squad