It is ...
C. E. Meads, King Country. G.J. Fox, Auckland. R.H. McCaw, born in Oamaru.
It has been a rite of passage for generations as families huddle around the wireless, listening to the grave monotones of a rugby union president as he reads out the names of the latest All Blacks squad.
Times have changed — many will now get an alert on their phone, and others will not be slightly interested — but there is still something about the naming of the national team that gets the juices flowing for sports fans.
So, ahead of the unveiling of 36 (yes, there are only 15 on the field) All Blacks on Monday, let’s have a think about what we might hear.
Hookers: Presumably Codie Taylor, Dane Coles and Samisoni Taukei’aho, though Taylor and Coles have plenty of miles on the clock. Asafo Aumua has not quite convinced at the top level, and Kurt Eklund scores lots of Super Rugby tries but might not quite be up to it.
Props: Either a position of insane depth or a position of concern, given there are not many dead certainties and Joe Moody is injured. Putting on my Highlanders/Otago cap, Ethan de Groot and George Bower must be there. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, despite being monstered by de Groot a week ago, and Nepo Laulala are in. That leaves two spots. There is a lot of noise around Chiefs prop Aidan Ross, so let’s go with him. Karl Tui’inukuafe has probably had his fairytale run, and Tyrel Lomax and Angus Ta’avao have underwhelmed. Bolters could be Ollie Norris or Oli Jager. But I like the look of Alex Hodgman at the Blues.
... that time ...
Locks: Three certainties in ageing warriors Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, next to discipline king Scott Barrett. Tupou Vaa’i has probably done enough. Then the cupboard looks a bit bare. Highlanders lock Josh Dickson has done little wrong, apart from some tackling issues. But presumably they stick with the Josh Lord project, unless Tom Robinson is seen as a handy lock-flanker option.
Loose forwards: Lots of talent but lots of question marks. Captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea are guaranteed. Dalton Papalii and Ethan Blackadder would have been if not for injury — but will Papalii make it on the understanding he will be ready for Ireland? Hoskins Sotutu and Akira Ioane seem probable selections, leaving maybe two spots. Shannon Frizell would have been picked in March but he has only just returned from injury, and could he be usurped by in-form team-mate Marino Mikaele-Tu’u? They like Luke Jacobson, but Pita Gus Sowakula is worth a crack, I reckon.
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava. Harsh on Brad Weber, and TJ Perenara still has support.
... of the year
First fives: Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga, in that order. And you can’t go past in-form Blues man Stephen Perofeta for the 10-15 option.
Midfield backs: Lots of names but no clear picture of who starts in the first test thanks to Anton Lienert-Brown’s injury. Rieko Ioane and Jack Goodhue will be there. Quinn Tupaea probably. And Roger Tuivasa-Sheck needs to get into the environment sooner rather than later. Braydon Ennor? Or maybe Alex Nankivell as the bolter. Thomas Umaga-Jensen an outside chance. David Havili on the bubble.
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett and Will Jordan guaranteed. Probably Sevu Reece and Caleb Clarke too. Mark Telea could be a bolter. If George Bridge has completely fallen from favour, let’s go with Crusaders team-mate Leicester Fainga’anuku, who can cover midfield and wing.
Let’s see what names are read out on Monday — before the real interest begins with the test series against Ireland.
One shot for glory
The Last Word will be a nervous wreck on Wednesday morning when the All Whites play Costa Rica for a place at the World Cup.
There is an argument that this is the single most important event in New Zealand sport this year, given so much is at stake.
Will a hero emerge?
Speaking of which, it was a delight to meet the immortal Wynton Rufer for the first time at the Green Island club last weekend.
And, continuing the football theme, look out for Friday’s paper as we mark 100 years since the All Whites’ first game in Dunedin.
Galaxy of stars
They are the longest awards in world sport — was it 2am or 3am we finally got out of there? — but the Otago Sports Awards are a wonderful celebration of this fine province.
I looked around last Friday night and thought, dang, there is Jossi Wells and there is Alison Shanks and there is Tiarn Collins and there is Suzie Bates and there is the great Katey Martin and this place ain’t bad.
Landers coach
Sorry, I don’t know much more than you about who will replace Tony Brown.
It seems likely assistant coach Clarke Dermody is the favourite.
But will he have some sort of wise head put alongside (or above) him to offer support and focus on recruitment? Or have the Highlanders been working away on an absolute bolter for the top job?
All will be revealed soon.
