Graham Henry reveals the All Blacks final 30-man squad for 2011 Rugby World Cup
The New Zealand national Rugby Union team, popularly known as the All Blacks, has announced their final 30-man squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign. All Blacks head coach, Graham Henry, announced the New Zeland line-up on Tuesday, August 23.
The assistant coaching staff comprising of Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith were also present at the occasion. The 30-man squad comprises of 16 forwards and 14 backs players. The total tests caps for the squad numbers 1,133, which makes the team the All Blacks
most experienced in their history.
Speaking on the occasion, Henry congratulated all the players who have earned a place in the All Blacks final squad for the 2011 RWC. He termed it as a great honour for the players to represent their country in Rugby’s premier tournament at home.
Amongst the squad, the likes of Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Daniel Carter, Mils Muliaina and Ali Williams will be playing their third consecutive RWC tournament.
Additionally, Ma’a Nonu, Corey Flynn, Brad Thorn, Andy Ellis, Tony Woodcock, Conrad Smith, and Isaia Toeava will make their second RWC appearances. The trio of Flynn, Nonu and Thorn last made an RWC appearance during 2003, while the later quartet will be
making their second consecutive RWC appearances.
Henry has termed the team as balanced because it has a mixture of youth and experience. He further added, “There is also a balance in the fact that we have players who are specialists in their position while others have utility value and can cover a number
of positions, so we have the players to cover any possibilities which may be thrown up during the tournament.”
Henry has also praised the efforts and hard work of the players who failed to secure a place in All Blacks final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign. He added, “It was an incredibly difficult process; all the players who missed selection are not only
outstanding players but special people.”
Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Ben Smith, Wyatt Crockett, and Jarrad Hoeata are amongst the players, who missed the spot in the RWC’s final squad.
The All Blacks final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign consists of the following players,
Forwards: Corey Flynn, Andrew h**e, Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Ben Franks , Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino , Richie McCaw (c) , Kieran Read , Adam Thomson, Victor Vito,
Backs:Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava.
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