Roigard recalled as All Blacks squad for Northern Tour named

Ulster got smacked on their recent tour to SA, but what I saw of Aiden Morgan left me scratching my head how he was let go.

Roigard is a very techincal kicker (boy the ball hung in the air forever on the weekend), hopefully someone like ENS can take that vacant 14 spot to help kick returns (much better player than Fihaki and basically identical styles), or Perofeta. Not sold on Jordie ever being someone you want to trust with such an important job like line clearing, but their are other good 12's out there if needed.

Mainly though don't crowd out the 10, whoever it is, just give them just enough to not be overawed.

Props - Perfect, couldn't have asked for better, these guys are the best in the world atm.

Locks - good, would have liked to see Lord or someone similar, but overall pretty good.

Flankers - what more does Lakai need to do to get a shout? I understand mixing in older players for experience, but Savea and Cane know all of the tricks of the trade, no need for Papalii and Finau. Bring in Kirifi, lovely work off the ball and good frame.

Halfbacks - excellent selection. TJ for experience (hopefully little to no gametime as he has been horrid). Welcome back Roigard, looking fit and strong.

First-fives - come on guys, get somebody new or get Richie Mo back, because DMac is a pitiful 10 and BB hasn't run the cutter properly for years. Plummer is obviously the next option (even if he is horrid), but just try something. Maybe we can see a promotion from the All Blacks XV in the 10 shirt soon.

Midfielders - Proctor better get a run. Other than that, good. Havili is massively underrated and he can injury cover everywhere, plus he has worked with Razor before so he knows what he wants.

Outside Backs- Most promising set of outside backs in the world. Hopefully Love gets some love against Japan and Italy. CC and WJ have been phenomenal. Telea out of form, but hopefully he sorts it out as he is so good when he is in form (even if he sucks on defense).

I look forward to the All Blacks XV selections, they'll tell us who will be in the squad at the next RWC.

I think Razor is trying to get the old guys to pass on their knowledge, so that way when he does bring in more young players that wealth of dark arts isn't completely lost (I hope this is what he's doing, if he isn't I'm going to lose my mind).

Overall, nothing unexpected. Still shocking the lack of depth at 10, and the age of the loose forwards is appauling. Can't wait for Taukei'aho to be back and fit, hopefully Perofeta tears is up like he did against England.

I think he'd like to have it over again for sure.

The first Counties try was the stuff of dreams, a beautiful long pass from the starting halfback Taumateine. Hope he and his team mates can nail their Moana Pasifika roles next yeah.

I guess the real questions will start if those players take up valuable game time.

Smith is top 2 all time, definitely, and atleast top1 equal if not number 1.

Not enough reason to give up on him though right. Last thing we need is the merry go round of last 6 years.

Albornoz is more Mo'unga in that respect, he goes when he goes, Dmac is just a constant threat with his hands double pumping the ball often (which got him in trouble too) or looking for a kick. I agree otherwise it is hard to rate one against the other in the respect that Dmac takes on far more responsibilities for the other areas of the game were he has existing skill sets (fullback).

Well I hope you were banking on Plummer because he stunk up the joint for Auckland.