What a great game we have in store on Saturday when New Zealand take on Australia in Hong Kong for the first-ever Bledisloe Cup fixture played on neutral territory. The All Blacks have arrived in Hong Kong in high spirits as they have already retained the prized Bledisloe Cup even if by some miracle the Wallabies beat the All Blacks on Saturday. All Black coach Graham Henry named his starting lineup today and there was a surprise.
Stephen Donald will start at flyhalf and the worlds best flyhalf, Dan Carter, will start at number 12. It maybe a surprise to many but not really to me as Stephen Donald is a more than capable number 10 after his amazing display in the position during the final Tri-Nations game against Australia this year. The pairing of Donald and Carter at first and second five-eighths and Carter’s first test start in the No 12 jersey in four years is the main feature of the team unveiled by Henry. Another notable inclusion is that of Hosea Gear on the wing. Hosea will get his first ever All Black cap and becomes the 1079th All Black.
The team in full is: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Ma’a Nonu, 22 Isaia Toeava.
A very solid lineup if you ask me which should have no problems beating the Wallabies. The Wallabies only name their side on Thursday so we will have to wait and see what they come up with. But regardless of what they put together, I still see the All Blacks winning this one by 20. What do you make of this All Black team? They are not ranked number 1 in the world for nothing!
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8 comments
Pato says:
Oct 28, 2008
Nice to see some NZ news on the site. I am very happy with the way Henry has gone with this team. I am a huge fan of Gear and he is going to be a great and even better than his brother. Nonu for me is my least favourite player and I am glad to see Carter at 12 in place of him but I do not think this is a long term solution. NZ need to find a 12 as Carter is a magician at fly half. Carter is that good that he will even have a blinder at 12.
Donald deserves his chance at fly half and having his right foot and Carters left foot makes for excellent attacking options.
Kurt76 says:
Oct 28, 2008
Hosea Gear is the truth. This kid is going to explode onto the scene and shatter all try scoring records for the All Blacks starting with a hatrick on Saturday.
Guru says:
Oct 28, 2008
As a hardned Bok supporter I normally look at an AB lineup with all the criticism in the world but i have to say that the depth in this squad is second to none. The front row is as close to brutal as humans can get, my personal favourite here would be Hore. That man is a machine both at scrum time and in the rucks. The whole pack of forwards personifies consistency in selection because I think any decent rugby fan would be able to rattle off the names of the 8 man pack in their sleep. Am not so convinced though that Jimmy Cowen should be starting ahead of Piri but then again, the depth in NZ does allow for such interchangeability between players. Though i will state that Cowen has never been a favourite of mine. This move at 10 for me is that nothing but sheer arrogance on the part of the AB’s though. This is just to send out a message to the world that the team ahs more than enough options. In all honesty, this move is made possible by the sheer fact that this is not such a big occasion. I am impressed though because it just shows the versatility and depth that the players possess. The rest of the team picks itself but i am very surprised that Hosea has not had an AB cap all this time. I could have sworn that i’ve seem donning the silver fern. Maybe that’s just how good he has been, got me convinced that he is an All Black. As good as this team looks on paper, Ron, please do not strt throwing such absurd predictions, AB’s beating who by 20points? Do not forget the Deans factor boss. Be very careful mate. lEt’s wait for Thursday before we make such bold statements, otherwise, this is a more than formidable line up.
Ron says:
Oct 28, 2008
Respect the best Guru! I will stick to my 20 point prediction. If the Boks could dismantle the Deans factor then surely the All Blacks can do the same.
I hear where you are coming from about Cowan, he is not quite what the great NZ mill of srumhalfs has produced over the years but he is still a formidable prospect and it makes sense he has been picked ahead of Weepu as Weepu has played most of the NPC at flyhalf.
The depth you talk about the AB’s is there for all to see, but whats sets them above the reset and more specifically the Boks is the issue of having specialists. You do not hear of Hore going to play tighthead or Cowan being groomed as a flyhalf!! I do not mean to take a dig at the Boks but I am just stating facts.
Guru says:
Oct 28, 2008
LOL…i’ll take that jab on the chin….LOL..
Mozie says:
Oct 28, 2008
Loosing my virginity gents. I wont get carried away with pleasure but the AB’s are yet to be disposed. Carter at 12 means Carter at 10, 11, 12 and 15. I think he plays all these positions in any given match anyway. Talent is like sand to the beach for this man. I am not a fan of R. Deans. Neither do I dislike him but as at the 20th October 2008, he is the only real threat to the AB’s. As for Saturday, it may be too early for this threat to trademark itself. AB’s by 12. Good to see your hand writing Guru!!!!!!!!!
tondikambi says:
Oct 29, 2008
i think piri weepu should be starting ahead of jimmy cowan. I mean he is more in the lines of great AB 1st 5/8s than jimmy cowan. Cowan is more in the mold of mehrtens boring but very efficient.
Carter at 12 is an extremely good idea coz it gives Donald game time with the Master himself right by his side schooling the youngster on the art, plus the opposition is extremely good so we will see how the youngster is developing.
Ron, as for your jibe don’t forget that mils and Cullen in times gone by have been deployed in the centre for a number of games in tandem….
dunno bout a prediction but i think australia might take it, i don’t think deans will blood new players, i think he will cement his starting side and try and give them a bit of a boost to the heights that they can reach.
Adorhoork says:
Feb 5, 2009
http://www.iloverugby.co.za – great domain name for blog like this)))
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