Tough calls ahead
09/01/2010 06:03:44 PM
Selection of the backs for the All Blacks' end of year tour to Europe will be 'extremely difficult' according to coach Graham Henry.
He was responding to a question about the comparison of depth in the All Blacks 12 months out from next year's Rugby World Cup and the same time out from the 2007 event.
"Some very good players are going to miss out," he warned.
In the loose forwards he felt there were half a dozen or more who could play international rugby.
At lock, Henry said it would be a 'real positive' if Ali Williams was able to resume playing, but he was happy with Sam Whitelock's development and Jason Eaton's forthcoming return would add to the depth in the position.
The props were developing and while all were relatively young at Test level they were coming together well.
"Tony Woodcock is world-class, Keven Mealamu is probably the best hooker in the world right now and the tightheads, Owen Franks at 22 having played 20-odd Tests is phenomenal and his brother is backing him up well and John Afoa played well when he came on," he said.
Overall, Henry felt there wasn't the same depth in the forwards as in 2006 but there was positive progress.