Not sure if anyone is interested but what the hell- seeing this is what I spend my life thinking about. I can already feel myself getting restless as the ABs are due to be named in May. My 26 man Team for 2002 (to go through and win the World Cup in 2003!) is: 1.Kees Meeuws 2.Anton Oliver (c) 3.Greg Somerville 4.Norm Maxwell 5.Chris Jack 6.Troy Flavel 7. Richie McCaw 8.Ron Crib 9 Byron.Kelleher 10 A.Merthants 11. J. Lomu 12.Nathan Major 13 Tana Umanga 14. Doug Howlett 15. Christain Cullen

Summary:Huge mobile forward pack + Lethal set of clever skilled backs= World Cup Back where it belongs

Reserves: Forwards: Tony Coughland,(??? other prop), Tom Willis, Randell, R.Thorne Backs: Mark Robinson, Tony Brown, Mark Ranby,(??? centre) Jeff Wilson, Leon Mc Donald Points to note: Meews will have to swap sides on the scrum but we wont lose anything and we need the big man upfront, rest of the pack fairly predictable but no room for Scott Robinson also Marty Holla unlucky but we need to cover no 8 as well so go for Randell. Flavell and Thorne can both cover lock position as well as blindside.

Backs: Cullen getting the nod at fullback for me. Tough to leave out Marshall as reserve halfback but pass and decision-making still dodgy. Midfield is tough with plenty crying out for 2nd 5/8(Steinmetz, Alitini,etc) but no real big strong centres to replace Umanga-Ryan Nicholas perhaps. If Umanga gets injured Ranby looks a bit suspect against a someone like Daniel Herbert...No room for Roger Randell.

Comments Discussion Welcome!

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002