With the street parties only just dispersing following the All Blacks World Cup triumph, Paul Lewis is already looking ahead to the class of 2015 in the New Zealand Herald.
MIDFIELD
Perhaps the most competitive area when one looks at the firm hold Nonu and Smith have had on the All Black midfield for years.
Robbie Fruean (Canterbury) Still only 23, was told by Graham Henry he had to increase his work rate to get into the All Blacks. If he does that, watch out - he is 1.9m and 105kg of brute and can punch large holes in defences.
Charlie Ngatai (Wellington) Another big man, this Wellington starlet had a reverse last year with injuries to a broken ankle and eye socket and missed much of the year. Only 21, he has time on his side but has already been paired with Fruean (when the latter played for Wellington) in a massive midfield.
Tom Taylor (Canterbury) Son of 1987 World Cup winner Warwick, he displays a similar cool head, awareness of space and distribution skills, plus the knack of making correct decisions. In the Crusaders' squad this season but will battle for game time with Fruean and Ryan Crotty. Can play 10 and is a reliable goalkicker, notching 20 points on his ITM Cup debut.
RSS feed
