<p>Long way from squad list smithy. I'm hearing the initial training camp is just a "best of NTC".</p>
List of players = squad list.
Aren't you interested in who did/didn't make it from your region? I know In The Zoners are interested.
Some surprising omissions from Wellington already.
NZF won't give you a list because they they don't consider they've picked a squad.
As to training camp, I've heard - unofficially - 3 x Football South, 3 x Canterbury, couple from Nelson. No surprise omissions, a surprise '99 inclusion.
As to Wellington, I know none (?) of the 98/99 Ole boys were even considered for the camp as they were not allowed to even trial for NTC (something amiss with fair and due process there I reckon). Not sure how many 98/99s are at Ole; a handful I guess. If that's one of the "surprising omissions from Wellington", I'm not surprised.
There are a few 99s at Ole, but not sure they have that many 98s. The surprises I was referring to aren't from Ole anyway.
I guess if this is just a "best of NTC" initial camp then no list is fair enough, but on the other side, why not release it?
I also guess if this is just best of NTC and they're going to look around more widely later then the Ole lads (and others) aren't missing too much.
Ole has 2-3 98s who live/train there.
Have heard there will be other opportunities, but agree, surely nothing to lose for NZF by being transparent about the whole process; but it's not exactly in the culture is it? Plus as we all know, different coaches see & look for different things.