KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Richard Z
Isn't it the job of the selectors to select the team? How about Wynne Gray, and other reporters, do some reporting and stop trying to cause trouble like they did when John "I only lost one game" Mitchell was coach last time around.
Dave Anderson
The Wallabies will absolutely field their best team on Saturday, and so we need to do the same! Enough experimenting, we want to see consistency and results!
Sydney
Oh yes, please bring the useless Mauger back, keep the only All Black in living history to play so bad yet retain a spot, Carter, and keep the junior man of the match Ma Nonu out. What happens to the so called rotation system if Carthorse gets injured? No-one else has had a chance at fly half yet, so will they again use an inexperienced player there? What about the human battering ram Lauaki, or the best lock in NZ now Tom Donnely. Don't forget these guys in charge were the same that had Tana (the world's best centre) on the bench while Leon was Mortlocked, or the flat line attack that cost the Tri-Nations. Oh yes, please more, more, more. Wayne Smith you have a case to answer.
Kahawaikid
The present backline coach of the All Blacks was the All Black coach some few years ago when again the All Black backs were unable to score tries from set pieces etc. Who said "history never repeats" Oh yes it does.
Peter (Queensland)
Can't quite believe what is going on. In years gone by, a win was a win was a win. We celebrated that, patted the boys in black on the back and said Bring on the next lot! Here we have a team who has lost one game a year in each of the last three years, has just beaten the Boks by the fifth highest total ever and we are grizzling! Any game where you stop your opposition from scoring tries and put three on them has to be a cause for celebration surely. The issue, I suspect, is that we have been spoilt. Fro, the time the 2003 ABs put 50 points on Australia and the Boks, we expect them to do the same every time. Well, to the initiated and uninitiated, it ain't going to happen! Oppositions are not stupid! They learn and improve and adjust to counter the ABs attack. Which in turn demands a new game plan from the ABs. This will continue to happen as long as rugby is played. Combine that with the style of play the ABs are trying to develop and it's easy to see reason for so many errors. It's high speed, fast moving, off load at nearly any cost and this type of game will always bring mistakes and generally a lot of them! Sure, dropped balls are not good to see. Sure, East/West running is not the greatest thing to look at and tries are the only thing that gets the public truly excited. But at the end of the day, I'd rather have a win. So let's stop whinging about how they win and celebrate the fact they did win!
Sam Owen (Sydney)
Can someone please pass this on to the All Blacks:
Dear Team, When I was young I was in awe of names such as Mourie, Kirkpatrick, Nathan, Shelford, Williams and Meads, mythical figures that I could only dream about being as good as because they were surely supermen. Now that I am older I look at a team of players roughly half my age and I marvel at the skill, athleticism and courage of players such as Collins, Carter, McCaw, Muliaina, Hayman and So'oialo but, with all due respect, I am not in awe of you. Age definitely has something to do with it and I have travelled the world and seen some pretty impressive things, but I have come to realise that you are just human like the rest of us and if you lose a game or two then it is just because you were outplayed, not because the universe is about to implode. My point is; play and enjoy because it is what you are lucky enough to do for a living. The weight of expectation is heavy, but it is one you cannot bear so play for yourselves and for the guy who straps his boots on next to you in the changing rooms. Focus on the now and what you need to get the job done today. If you win great! If you don't, life goes on.
Monkeyman (Ireland)
As a northern hemisphere supporter it is great to see the ABs stress. The bottom line is you have never replaced Tana and the lineout is also problem. I'd say numbers 2,5,11, 14 and most of all 13 are up for grabs. The wingers look great going forward but what about when asked questions. Masters O' Driscoll, Jauzion (France) Mortlock will hammer at that channel all day. All other possible winners of the WC know their starting 15 by now (France, SA, Aus, Ire).
David (Hamilton)
We need our most experienced players against the wallabies. Flavil whilst up and coming, is too short, is not fit enough and when compared to Keith Robinson, Ali Williams and Chris Jack, he just doesn't cut the mustard, yet. Lineout possession is crutial if we expect to gain a win. Bring back Ali Williams.
Leonard is and has shown huge promise but I fear that against Gegan the older more experianced half, would be too much for him and we will concede points as a result.Mauger has many tricks that will out smart the Wallabys although Nick Evans is virtually unknown on the international scene and may provide an unencountered attacking flair that may well take the Australians by surprise.
Bazza
You cant have Troy Flavell in the All Blacks starting lineup.I do not want to see him in the world cup squad.Imagine us playing the final and we are up 14-12 with two minutes to play and on defence inside our 22.What do you think Troy would do in a rolling maul situation? He would either,bring it down,come from the side,or commit some other indiscretion so as to award a penalty to the other side.If you dont believe me look at what he did when we were on defence under our posts in the first test against South Africa this year.He interfered with the SA half back and they were awarded a penalty.
Jamie
Troy Flavell? You have to be kidding. There is no way he is a starting lock. If we have two of Jack, Robinson and Williams available. Put him on the bench to cover lock and blindside but he just isn't the man to lock the scrum maybe at best he is an impact player.
Harry L (Waitakere City)
I disagree about starting Flavell - too unpredictable for my liking. I'd start Leonard as well based on the accuracy and decisiveness of his passing. I felt bad for Howlett watching Saturday's game. It is hard to shine when you are consistently being delivered the lamest of hospital passes pretty much throughout the match. I guess it was just bad luck though.
Mossy (Greymouth)
Well I agree with Flavell and Leonard, but Mauger? No thanks - a great servant of the game, but he has had his day. But anyone, even my great aunt Nellie but no more Reuben Thorne please. Someone needs to get that picture he has of Henry in a compromising position and destroy it, then and only then we will be rid of Reuben. My confidence after last year for the All Blacks has been severely dented this year, it's like the time off has not inspired the team but that they have forgotten the fundamentals with far too many errors. I hope this weekend we see the shadow side that could take the WC - but alas I am concerned we will see another rotation of unplayed players.
Combinations win games - if it was just fitness issues we would play our endurance athletes.
Drew, ex-pat (Houston, Texas)
I agree with you except for Troy Boy. He's getting off on the smell of his own perfume. He has done a couple of stupid typical Auckland antics in last two starts we don't need locks who think their duty is to punt rather than run the ball back at the opposition. Who does he think he is Zinny?
Bryan Harrison
Agree with Wynne Greys' choice of Brendon Leonard, he needs some serious game time and a test like this. Don't agree with Flavell, his form has been on a steady decline since the Blues season started turning to custard. His play is just too loose to be worth the Risk. And finally, totally, utterly disagree with the choice of Aaron Mauger. He has to be one of the most overrated backs in modern All Black history. He's the Reuben Thorne of the backline. If we look at the last three tests he's played against full strength major nations there's a recurring theme. He kicked the ball straight to an England player for their try last year. He threw the intercept pass to Butch James a few weeks ago. His wayward kick eventually led to the Wallabies try in Melbourne. Quite frankly, he's more help to the opposition.
Doug Irwin
Flavell is not up to international standard.
I'm an Auckland supporter but I found him ineffectual in his last two games.
Danis (Auckland)
Our strongest team right now, and the team they have had in their mind (excluding injuries) since last year.
1. Woodcock, 2. Oliver 3. Hayman, 4. Jack, 5. Robisnon, 6. Collins, 7. McCaw, 8. So'ialo, 9. Kelleher, 10. Carter, 11 Sivivatu, 12. Mauger, 13. Toeava, 14. Rokocoko, 15. Muiliana.
McAlistair, Leonard and Howlett filling the backs on the bench.
Macca
Start with - Evans, Rokococo, Sivivatu/Howlett, Smith, McAlister, Carter, Leonard, So'oialo, Collins, Robinson, Jack, Hayman, Oliver, Woodcock. Reserves: Meamlamu, Tialata, Flavell, Masoe, Kelleher, Muliaina & Mauger.
Why don't NZ Players wear gloves like the Giteau's and Elsoms. I thought the Highlanders where the first to wear and we do seem to drop the odd pass. It is about time we started to clear out the rucks like the Boks and Wallabies do to get rid of Smith, like they try with Ritchie. The halfback also needs to talk more follow Gregan's lead. Good luck we in Australia need this victory.
Mike (England)
My team for Saturday: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Joe Rokokoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Chris Jack,3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Luke McAlister, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Keven Mealamu, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Troy Flavell, 22 Nick Evans.
Tight race at 12, but we need more brains than brawn against the Wallabies, so Mauger gets the nod. Howlett had a good game at the weekend, and played better than Rico when he was given the chance. Toeava needs game time at the highest level, to keep improving. Nick Evans needs another chance too, which is why he's on the bench. The forwards pick themselves, and are doing really well. The whole team has to try and think 'clearer' when attacking, instead of forcing everything. The backs don't seem to draw players in before passing, when they use their long passing game. They also have a tendency to go sideways when attacking, which makes it easier to defend. I think once the backs start clicking, you'll see a different team.
Fili (Sydney)
I really can't see coach Henry naming the "best team" for this weekend's huge clash with the Aussies. Probably not until the quarterfinals at the WC. He may select close to the best for this weekend given the magnitude of what is at stake and you'd like to think that we never take these for granted. You can't expect miracles if they're picked one game before resting the next, unless you're McCaw, Hayman and Carter. But going into the final Bledisloe / Tri-Nations clash and despite only taking control in the last ten minutes against the 'Boks albeit handling errors and communication breakdown we may need to retain most of last week's team just for the sake of continuing the momentum and pick up where they left off.
My team: 15 Mils Muliaina 14 Doug Howlett 13 Isaia Toeava 12 Luke McAlister 11 Josevata Rokocoko 10 Daniel Carter 9 Piri Weepu 8 Sione Lauaki 7 Richie McCaw (c) 6 Jerry Collins 5 Keith Robinson 4 Troy Flavell 3 Carl Hayman 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Neemia Tialata
Reserves: 16 Andrew Hore 17 Tony Woodcock 18 Chris Jack 19 Chris Masoe 20 Brendon Leonard 21 Ma'a Nonu 22 Nick Evans
All Blacks by 30.
Sam (Sydney)
I have no problem with Leonard on the bench and Kelleher starting but may be it is time to drop the Weepu experiment and get Jimmy Cowen back into the squad. The front row looked good but we need to go back to starting with Oliver and bring Kevin on after say 50 minutes when the energy has been extracted from the opposition. The second row is a concern, Rueben Thorne and Flavell haven't got what it takes to play 4 or 5. Jack is great and Robinson looked good but I am not sure it would have been so against V Matfield and B Botha. What would we give to see our three loosies all performing to their best at the same time in a game. The uncertainty at centre due to no world class player available (may be by RWC that someone can be built up to it) has been countered by having uncertainty at 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 with too many players in each position that would walk into any team in the world. So we have the best front row, back row, inside backs and out backs in the world, get rid the mistakes and we need to find one extra lock and develop the centres we have and we would outclass most teams man for man (except maybe SA at 4 and 5).
Lolorover (South Auckland)
The performance has been the usual approach of this year. There's hardly any forward-based play to nullify and tied up the opposition. There are more of the merry go round of the ball that mostly results in the high handling errors. So far this year they had try the superior fitness tactic of giving the ball more air then needed in hope of running the opposition off their feet. It didn't quite work out with the Aussies two weeks ago. I can only conclude that the three-wise-men are throwing off the oppositions by clearly adopting this decoy-style of sevens rugby instead of the usual all blacks plays. There is a surprise parcel of efficient suffocating rugby awaits the world when the time cometh the hour to execute. I am more assured then hopeful of this year's conquering of the WWERWC.
Neil Warner
One tends to agree with Wynne Gray, especially in the case of Leonard who is no doubt our number 2 halfback after Kelleher. It will be interesting if the selectors pluck up the courage to drop one or two players and Weepu would have to be top of the list, with Masoe a close second. Not only does Brendon leonard have something special but look at this Evans character, where do we put him? It is a bit late now but I believe the selectors have made a blunder or three. Let's give it a go for Saturday, Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Collins, Robinson, Jack, McCaw, Solialo, Kelleher, Carter, McAllister, Smith, Rokocoko, Sitivatu, Mils. First of all there is more than taking the ball up for a hooker to do. I believe Oliver offers more than Meleamu whose lineout throwing is poor, but then we have a former back coaching the forwards so need we go on any further. It is looking tight for September but let's rock on.
Carey
Toeava needs to stay at centre - the only way he or anyone is going to get more comfortable and set as a long term centre is continued game time. For the final time, leave Mils at fullback and stop stuffing him around by pretending he's a centre. Inside Toeava has to be McAlister he's got pace, steps well, is strong and quick off the mark Mauger just hasn't got it anymore. The pack needs to stay as it is but with Collins back in for Thorne. Flavell is an impact player not a starting lock. Hopefully Siti is back to partner Joe on the wings. Only question mark I have is in possibly starting Leonard. His pass and clearance is easily the best in the country. Additionally, he is quick around the ruck and seems to have loose forward-reading of play.
Owen
I would not swap Flavell for Robinson, Flavell seems to be a bit out of his league at this level.
MCAC (Whangarei)
By all means have Flavell, Leonard, Toeava and Robinson start with the ABs on Saturday but please do not even think about Mauger. His defence is suspect and he fancies himself as a tactical kicker when most of the time he just gifts the ball to the opposition. McAlister is the man. He's decisive, attacking and another back that the Aussies will have to watch out for. While critics have blamed him for defensive lapses in the last match against the Wallabies, how many were quick to blame McCaw, Jack and Gear for missing the tackle of the Aussie winger who scored in the corner? Luke knows his way to the line and he needs to express his flair.
Hank
The cold reality is we will have injuries during the World Cup. The reality is we will have players ready to step in. Every other nation will have injuries. But will they have replacements? If we only had 15 top players, would we now be panicking? We have 30 top players, no need to panic. The rugby writers may have valid points, but they may be having a negative mental effect on our top players. Don't panic or we will blow it!
Brisbane
I agree that Leonard should be given the opportunity to run on in the starting side on Saturday night. He has earn't this based on recent performances. I think it's a tough call between Mealamu and Hore as to which one should be on the starting team and who should be on the bench. And yes, I agree about Flavell.
Stevo
Wynne Gray has obviously got short-term memory loss in suggesting that Flavell should be reinstated to the AB team for this week's Bledisloe. Is this the same Flavell who dropped the ball on every kick off he received, never won a lineout and spent more time loitering on the wing than Sean Fitzpatrick did at the test in Melbourne? I know the NZ Herald is an Auckland-based newspaper, but this is taking local support too far.
Phil (Auckland)
Brendon Leonard at half, Luke McAllister at #10. Mauger, Conrad Smith, Joe Rocokoko and Doug Howlett, with Nick Evans at fullback. No changes in the forwards, except start with Robinson, sub with Flavell. Flavell appears incapable of a full intense game, is more dynamic as a sub. Must have Jerry. All of this could be a waste, because, I fear, rugby and league these days are dominated by the ref. In most top games in both codes, the ref could be voted most valuable player. Almost all games now are decided by the referee's incorrect calls. Both codes are suffering because of this. A few years back I would never miss a game. Now, I find most of them boring. I will watch only if I have nothing better to do.
Bruce
Even if the best are selected (assuming the selectors actually know who the best are), what is now clear is that with just one game remaining before the Word Cup, and a predicted 7 changes to the line up imminent, New Zealand will go to France without a cohesive 'team', which rather unfortunately for us is exactly what you need to turn up to the World Cup with. In my opinion there is one team that is heads and shoulders above the rest going into France and that is Australia (who I'm picking to win in Auckland and in France). We on the other hand have 22 extremely gifted players who no longer have time to gell into a team.