Squire says yes to ABS return
Liam Squire is inching closer to a dramatic recall to the All Blacks.
Stuff understands Squire has advised All Blacks management he’s available to be considered for the 31-man World Cup squad, which will be named at noon tomorrow in Auckland.
It’s now up to selectors Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox to decide whether they want to pick the 23-test blindside flanker for the defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan.
Squire hasn’t played for the All Blacks since the 16-9 loss to Ireland in Dublin last November, having ruled himself out of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup tests this year after his final season with the Highlanders was almost completely wiped out because of injuries.
Squire contacted coach Hansen before the All Blacks squad to play Argentina, South Africa and Australia was named to say he didn’t believe he was ready to play in the tests.
In doing so Squire became the first player to tell the national selectors he was unavailable since Brad Thorn declined to play for the All Blacks in 2001.
Hansen praised Squire, 28, for his honesty and told him the door remained open for a World Cup berth.
‘‘At the end of it [the conversation] we agreed [he wasn’t ready to play tests] and I said ‘righto, that’s a pretty courageous conversation, well done, you get back on the park and play some footy and we’ll make a decision from there’,’’ Hansen said at the time.
Speaking the day after the All Blacks demolished the Wallabies 36-0 in Auckland on August 17, Hansen reiterated it was still up to Squire to say whether he wanted to be eligible for his first World Cup.
‘‘We’ve got an understanding: if he’s keen, he’ll let me know,’’ Hansen stated.
Squire has given the green light. Now the selectors have to make a decision.
Given the way he has played for Tasman during their unbeaten run in the Mitre 10 Cup, Squire appears to have rediscovered his love of the game after hip and knee injuries frustrated him during Super Rugby.
Squire made just three appearances for the Highlanders. He wasn’t available for the team’s tour of South Africa towards the end of the regular season for personal reasons, and was yellow carded for a no-arms tackle on Whetukamokamo Douglas in the loss to the Crusaders in the quarterfinal.
Squire has appeared in all three of Tasman’s games and the comeback has been impressive.
Hansen could have told Squire he had burned his bridges by not making himself available for the All Blacks from the outset.
But it’s evident he realised that if gave Squire some space and allowed him to be involved in lower-intensity games there was a chance he would find form, and probably more importantly, get some self-confidence back in his body.
The temptation to select a fully fit, and motivated, Squire may be too great.
A big unit, he offers plenty in attack and defence and is also a lineout option.
At a pinch, he could also use his 1.96m frame to pack down at lock. This is something that may earn another tick from the selectors as they ponder how to make do while world-class lock Brodie Retallick recovers from his shoulder injury.
Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett are expected to start in the second row for the first pool game against South Africa in Yokohama on September 21.
Retallick is likely to concentrate on getting fit for the suddendeath games. If the All Blacks don’t take four locks to the tournament – which is possible – they may need Squire to provide cover.