Canterbury first-five eighths Colin Slade has been called into the All Blacks squad to replace the injured Dan Carter.

Slade was named in the 26-man squad which will travel to Sydney on Sunday for the final Tri Nations test next weekend as Dan Carter recovers from ankle surgery expected to keep him out of rugby for eight weeks.

22-year-old Slade was picked ahead of two other likely contenders - Canterbury teammate Stephen Brett and North Harbour's Luke McAlister. The versatile Slade was drafted into the All Blacks squad as injury cover last year and has been a regular starter for the Crusaders in a variety of positions over the past two seasons.

http://tvnz.co.nz/all-blacks/slade-gets-all-black-call-up-3752375


Forwards: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Victor Vito, Samuel Whitelock and Tony Woodcock.

Backs: Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Rene Ranger, Josevata Rokocoko, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley and Piri Weepu.

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I can't see that squad changing to much for the end of year tour. Probably just add a few players to it. Not good for Luke McAlister who probably is now ranked as the 4th option at first-five.

NZ First-Five Ranking, well how I would rate them

1. Dan Carter
2. Aaron Cruden
3. Mike Delaney
4. Colin Slade
5. Luke McAlister

NZ First-Five Ranking.

1. Dan Carter
2. Aaron Cruden
3. Stephen Donald
4. Colin Slade
5. Luke McAlister

Will be interesting who will start Cruden or Slade. I would say it would be Cruden although i rate Slade better.

Cruden will definitely start - no way in hell will they call in a new player to the squad (who's had minimal time with the ABs as it is) and have them start in a critical position like 10.

Dunno who I'd rate in my top 10 first 5s in the country eh - pretty much you've got DC at 1 obviously, probably Cruden's cemented #2 although even then he's there more on potential than current skill - then there's a bit of a logjam with the likes of Donald, Brett, Slade, Robinson and McAlister (who I rate as a better player than the lot of them but not necessarily as a 10, he's best at 12 IMO), and even the likes of Ripia and Berquist although they're more outsiders. The problem with the likes of Donald and Brett especially is they have major glaring weaknesses that really sell them short - Brett's is mostly his defence which everyone knows about it, Donald's is his consistency and accuracy...it's hard to compare...

The team will porperly look like this IMO

1.Woodcock
2.Mealamu
3.B.Franks
4.Thorn
5.Donnelly
6.Kaino
7.McCaw
8.Read
9.Cowan
10.Cruden
11.Dagg
12.Nonu
13.Smith
14.Jane
15.Muliaina

16.Flynn
17.O.Franks
18.Boric/Whitelock
19.Vito
20.Weepu
21.Slade
22.Rockocko

and what has happend to Boric has he fallin out of favour with the All Blacks very good player on his day.

I'd say Weepu would start ahead of Cowan if Cruden is in the 10. Hurricanes team mates, and Weepu can kick the goals if Cruden struggles (although he was on target for the Turbos on Sunday)

I hope you're right about Dagg, I would love to see him start!

I reckon Vito will start at 6 as well

After last nights performance my top 5 five eights at the moment would be.....

1. Dan Carter
2. Brett Delany
3. Colin Slade
4. Stephen Donald
5. Stephen Brett

Brett Delany? Who's that?