Get that back sorted please Dan Carter!
The All Black selectors have named a very strong team to face Japan on Friday night; here 'tis:
New Zealand:
Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.
We'd venture to suggest that this is a stronger side overall than the one that played Tonga last Friday night. The "old firm" of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith is reunited in the midfield. Richard Kahui had a storming game on Friday, and he and Cory Jane add attacking power in spades out wide. We suggested some time ago that Mils Muliaina would play against Japan and Canada, and bring up his 100 tests, and barring injuries in the latter stages of the tournament, that will probably be his lot. And Andy Ellis has played an abundance of rugby with Dan Carter, so his selection is no surprise, and we're sure that Piri Weepu will get hame-time.
In the forwards, it's pretty much a full-strength pack. Adam Thompson returns from his elbow injury against Australia, and Sam Whitelock's mobility in what should be a fast-paced match gets him a start ahead of Ali Williams.
We're pleased that the selectors have resisted the temptation to experiment with this side. There are plenty of established combinations, and the team's performance against Japan should go up by several notches.
And we've saved the most signifcant for last. Richie McCaw will play his 100th test match, and become the first New Zealander to reach that mark. McCaw was injury-prone in his early career, and there were fears for his longevity. He has dispelled those, and is on his way to becoming one of the great All Blacks of all time. We salute his achievement, and will have more to say on Friday.
We'll be looking for an emphatic New Zealand win on Friday night, and for a strong team performance. This team is most certainly capable of that; the acid is now on them to deliver.
10 comments:
There remains a rotational and experimental look about it to me. Sure the forwards look okay with Read to come back for Thompson the only change there - but Afoa ahead of Ben Franks in the reserves?
But the backs - Muliaina ahead of Dagg - doubt it.
Kahui stars on the right wing so gets shunted to the left wing while the best left wing in Super XV sits in the stand. I dont' mind Ellis at half as he is far better than Weepu but now Cowan is in the stand. Williams ran hard and straight against Tonga while Nonu ran across field all night - yet Nonu starts.
Rotation and experiment are alive and well with the three fools - remember 2007.
Strong team, I agree.
Shame the RWC minister is not supported by his team. Key is remaining remarkably distant from McCully, as he did from Melissa Lee.
Brown's diplomacy and leadership is shining through this government initiated mess.
http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/the-ministers-brain-has-exploded/
Dagg for Mils, Cowan for Ellis Read for Thompson (when Fit)and we are just about there i think
no way is Whitelock better than Ali .. the problem is that he will shine v Japan (as even I would).
"Brown's diplomacy and leadership is shining through this government initiated mess".
rubbish
It would be a stronger team if Bill's brother was on board it would seem...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5621810/Probe-into-English-contract-ordered
Jabba, you've shown your lack of anything approaching validity by rubbishing the truth.
@ pdm - I have no problem with Muliaina getting two starts during the tournament to drink up his ton. Dagg showed at Port Elizabeth then again last week that he can slot into the team just fine. Muliaina has been a great servant of the game here, and if he is going to bring up his 100th test during RWC, it needs to be as a run-on player, not off the bench so that he can be properly acknowledged. And if that DOES come up in the NZ vs Canada game, I'll be doubly delighted, and SWMBO and I will be there to see it!
jabba - I lean towards Whitelock ahead of Williams who is just not there around the paddock. Surprising that Boric is not in the reserves - they need him to have game time in these matches so he is match hardened if needed later in the tournament.
No problem with Slade covering this game for Carter - he will do well. Hopefully he does not get hurt as the back up of Weepu is scary.
Just got home from the Samoa Namibia match.
What a great day, friendly, colourful, and well organised at the ground.
I didn't mind the result either. After all who can trust a team ful of players who's names start with Van and have z's in them. ;-)
Looked like SA C grade.
Cheers Lofty
I am watching Georgia v Scotland.
I can't believe how bad Scotland are.
And how good Canada was. And the blida de for the Canadians looked like he had stepped out of the old testament!
Canada v Tonga was the best game of the tourament so far; just what the RWC is all about. It was played in a tremendous spirit and was a delight to watch.
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