Rugby World Cup 2019: Newshub experts Ross Karl, John Day react to All Blacks squad

This was the moment we'd all waited for since the end of Super Rugby and while there's no such thing as an outright All Blacks bolter anymore, the Rugby World Cup squad still threw out a few surprises.

Newshub rugbyheads Ross Karl and John Day were at Wednesday's announcement, and were stunned at the demise of a two-time World Cup winner from the front row.

"Owen Franks... gone?" gasps Karl.

all blacks squad
Photo credit: Newshub.

"Incredible," agrees Day. "I feel sorry for him, actually.

"Told by Steve Hansen that he wasn't mobile enough - that's a huge shock to me and a sad end to a magnificent career."

Responds Karl: "It's a huge shock to me that he was ever mobile - did they ever pick him for that?"

Day laments the departure of one of the 'tough buggers' of the All Blacks pack and wonders if that will come back to bite them in Japan.

For more All Blacks squad reaction, watch the full video.

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The ninth Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 20 in Japan - the first time it has been hosted in Asia.