- Superman
I would keep the same All Black team as played against Australia. It proved a very formidable combination. Look at keeping the same team, win the next two games and the Tri Series is won. Then try experimenting.
- Mike
What a joke. I am sick and tired of paying my hard earned cash to watch a New Zealand A team masquerading as the All Blacks. As for requiring two players in every position - what a load of rubbish, please remind me how many players can actually take the field in a rugby game. All of the winners of World Cups previously have developed a first 15 over a number of years and built strength from that. I don't care if our second team could beat most teams in the world, that is irrelevant come World Cup time. It is no wonder the NZRU are struggling to sell tickets to games with the current policy. An absolute disgrace.
- Jason
Come on all you negative "supporters" We have a winner with all the 30 ALL BLACKS!
- Mick
Where is Jerry Collins? Anton Oliver should be happy with his superannuation payments and stop taking Kevin's spot! Good team overall, but worried about lack of experience on bench. Good to see Scott Hamilton get a start.
- Mr Frank
Once more AB supporters are asked to get behind a team they hardly know. I agree with Scott Hamilton, who has shown the form to be there or there abouts. I disagree with the midfield. Aaron is too important to drop out of the combination and Mils could do with a little stability while he beds in. As for the ugly part, that has to be Anton. His throwing has been better of late, but he needs to get ugly if we are to overwhelm the boks.
To paraphrase one of my son's books....
I think they can, I think they can
- Chris H
We need to be forming the combinations on the field against the teams that will be our stronger foes come World Cup time. I would have liked to have seen Mauger and Mills have another test together along with Byron and Carter. In the forwards they still look as strong as ever with the only problem being the top two inchs of Tialata and Chris Masoe. To be fair if Richie McCaw did go off I would far sooner Marty Holah be there than someone who gives away dumb penilties at dumb times in dumb positions on the field. To make it clear Chris Masoe isnt in the same class of McCaw, Holah or Newby.
- Jason
If we look at the All Blacks as a business especially in this day and age of professional sport with the players being your most valuable asset. In business you don't have assets sitting around not being productive they start to deprecate. Fully support the policy of player rotation and players having to 1) earn their spot 2) keep on their toes. This Tri-Nations whilst is an important competition the one to win is obviously the world cup next year. If we have to rotate players and build our player depth it goes well for us next year. What happens if we lose Richie Mcgaw, Jerry Collins, Daniel Carter and players like that to injury? We need backup with quality players which is what the All Black management structure is putting in place.
- Ross Campbell
Glad I have decided not to go to the game this weekend as I had hoped to see the best 15 players in the world take the field. Unfortunately you have Jerry Collins not even on the field and as for Oliver well need I say anymore. Eaton should definately get a run as is far superior to Williams and I just hope we aren't underestimating the Sringboks who could come out firing. Look at the Aussies they were a totally different team to the players who fronted the week before.
- D. George
I think our coaching panel have got it pretty much spot on. The forward pack is looking very experienced and will scrumage like predators. Ali Williams looked very keen as a substitute and will rise to the understrength Boks lineout, lets just hope lightening can hit the right spot. Jerry's the man but the man also needs a little breather sometimes, for which he will come back even hungrier. I would have prefered to see Carter - Mauger - Mils have another run together but in saying that the Boks midfield is in all sorts of trouble and the pocket rocket will give them grief all day. This team will account for the boks comfortably and give some of the other boys a much needed run.
- Ryan
The AB selectors are doing the right thing by rotating players. If we are to win a World Cup we need two top players in every position. More crucially, players with the mental strength who know how to win the tight matches - and that can only come from playing tight games. It's important that our guys are put under pressure to perform, even if it reduces the scoreline or dare I say it, risk a defeat. If there is no real risk of defeat, there is no pressure on the players, and we'll end up at a World Cup expecting to win! My worry is that we could still be stuffed if something happens to our 'irreplacables' - Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Chris Jack. Are they being over-played? Dan needs a bit of game time since he looks a bit rusty, but the other two need to be spared occasionally.
- Mike
Nice team, good to see Thorne getting a start. Expect to see all the benched players appear in the game, so it will be an important one for McAlister, Masoe and Rawlinson. The biggest risk in my mind is starting the unconvincing Williams with only the relatively unblooded Rawlinson as cover. And I was shocked that Collins isn't even on the bench - who's the backup to water the pitch?!
- Carl Reynolds
As one who has played and captained at first class level I can still not come to grips with the rotation policy. I am sick and tired of the World Cup having so much influence so far out. Injuries and form will dictate the team at the time (look at Nonu). Play our best XV and show respect for our opposition.
- Neil Murphy
Gee, looking at the bench, I hope the 1st fifteen get the job done cos there aint much firepower on the bench if it doesn't go the AB way?? Its a shame R.Thorne didn't get a run at Jade so Collins & even Eaton could've had a run on their home ground this week. I must admit, it does keep us supporters on the edge of our seats if thats what the selectors are trying to do? GOOD LUCK ABS!!!
- Jacob
I think it's good for Mils to get some continuity at centre although they need to give Ice (Isaia Toeava) a game the whole crowd loves Ice. Make Ice the captain he's so handsome!
- Steve
Makes you not to want to make the effort and go the game as we are not seeing the top players, I can understand changing players later in the series but not this early.
- John Kenny
As much as i agree with the building of depth within the All Black Squad, i still think that they should have further developed the Carter-Mauger-Muliaina combination further. Tuitupou & Mils did the job for the Blues in 2001, but if the selectors are serious about developing Muliaina in the centre position he is better off working with the same players inside him.
- Marcus
This is a bit of a shock, so many changes, but think they've gone for some old warriors (Oliver, Thorne). Is Jerry being punished? We need him against Butch James. Great to see Piri Wepu back, also Scott Hamilton deserves a chance. Still trust the coaching team, and a few losses wouldn't hurt us at this stage of the campaign.
- Jan Clark
Oliver - GROAN! Springboks stand by for free ball at All Black line outs! But wait......there's more - we have Hore.
- Peter
What readers said before the team was announced:
I think you will find that the 3 wise men of New Zealand rugby had settled on 2 teams for this years tri-nations campaign a few weeks back. One team will be picked with the players and strategy for what it takes to beat Australia, and they will have a second team with the personnel and tactics that they feel will be required to beat the South Africans while still promoting the development theme. It won't be 2 completely seperate teams with 2 completely different playing styles yet they will leave some class on the bench to bring on if things get close. Development wise we are possibly 2-3 years ahead of the rest of the world, which in the professional era with sponsors share holders and expectations always high is a very very long time.
My team would be,15-Toeava(Mc Donald is class will slot in against anyone anywhere and at anytime);14-Howlett;13-Muliana(needs another 80 minutes at test match level in this new position if he is to make a fist of it);-12-Luke Mc Callister(possibly moving to 10 later in the game when its in the bag and bringing Carter off to save him for Brisbane-11-Joe Rococoko(needs to get confidence back and should get some good ball with lots of open spaces this weekend)10-Carter-9-Weepu(good combative half will keep Januarie honest)8-Tuialli-7-Mcaw (c)6-Masoe;5-Jack;4-Williams;3-Hayman;2-Oliver;1-Tialata.
- Daniel
The basis of the team that beat Australia last weekend should be kept. I think Scott Hamilton deserves a go at 11. Joe is a great player but form isn't on his side (this may have something to do with the fact he played for a Blues outfit who gave him very little ball all year), for Joe I suggest a province move would be the best for his future. Mils should be kept at centre as I think he is the best option. Perhaps Howlet should come in to the team against South Africa, 14 is a position in the All Blacks at the moment where no one has been really outstanding for sometime. Rico Gear is solid but I think Howlet needs more game time with a good backline to recapture form. Any other changes made to the team shoudn't make to much difference as the coaching staff's idea of having two or three top players in each position is working.
- Randy
The Kiwis need to blood another kicking no. 10. DC is no. 1 and McAll no. 2 but we're thin on the ground if one of them is injured. Kicks will decide the close games! Need to choose hookers who can throw accurately. A Oliver is a great hooker but can't throw! This is the weakest aspect of the AB's game and opposition will exploit it. Does Keven have a cousin who can play? Why don't we have another C. Cullen? Mils M is wasted at centre! Will there be a place for Jonah? He is England's bogey man. Get well soon.
- Dylan
Living here in Am. Samoa, and what I saw in the game against the ABs and Australia, I believe it would be better if the AB head coach just send the same team on the field that handled Australia well. There are some set plays that really need working on, that the coaches all know about from the Aussie game. This is why they were selected to be coaches, because they are they best. So guys, if it ain't broken, it doesn't need fixing,so go All Blacks.
- Peter Te'o
With the Boks clearly below par this is an opportunity to build on player position depth that shouldn't be passed up. McAllister in particular needs the practice if we ever want to survive a Carter injury; he looked rusty when he last started (actually with the way Evans has come on last season I think it should be he who is groomed for the position, but never mind). Howlett, Toeava, Somerville and Thorne, Masoe and Hore and Tuitupou, all are great backup players who deserve starts against a lesser team. Oliver too, but I think Hore needs it more. Not to mention the man who is clearly the best halfback we have, who is the only player who needs to be added to those that beat Australia to make our perfect "dream team", Piri Weepu. Or perhaps even Cowan should start. Kelleher is a good player, but he doesn't have fast enough hands to be the halfback we need.
- Carl Reynolds
This last AB team was almost ideal but for these exceptions:
OUT: Joe (consistently weak defence & predictably one-dimensional, recurring groin strain); Ali (recent S14 games proved he is still dumb & gives away critical penalties, recurring injuries make him a WC liability); Doug (speed & experience just aren't cutting it anymore)
Neemia (risky conceder of penalties = no good under pressure)
IN: Jason Eaton (this superstar has already proved experience is over-rated) Scott Hamilton (most under-rated AB today - why didn't he tour last Nov? Fantastic S12 & S14 seasons, unusual combination of instinct and thought process - could be a dangerous #10, wasted on wing but still superior to Joe); Rico Gear (simply has more tackle power than Doug & the speed to boot); Andrew Hore (under-rated work-horse, a safe bet). I hope the only reason some of my "OUTS" are kept is to get a bit more mileage from them and 'preserve' their replacements from injury until nearer the world cup.
- James
Continue with the rotation of players policy selecting the team that is best suited for this weekends game. We have very good depth so utilise it. Persevere with different combinations, what works and what doesn't.We all want to win every single test even more so the games against Australia and South Africa, but I will always remember our World Cup losses( finals, semi-finals and quarter-finals) for all the wrong reasons not tri-nations thrashings. I'm sure we have the right to ask for our best All Blacks team to come out and win every test, but if you had two All Blacks Teams at the World Cup we would not be so judgemental on the make up of the team as long as one of those teams brought back what belongs to us. The one and only "The William Webb Ellis Cup". Case closed!!
- Helen
I agree that we should go out and dominate the first 35 minutes rather then having most of the changes in the run on line up. I'm picking McAlistar to get at least 30 minutes on the back end, Howlett to start due to his better skills under the high ball, ( as kicking seems to be SA's only attack option at the moment), Ali to start and play himself into true form before letting jack have a rest and have eaton and Ali play the final 30mins. Like to see Toevea get a decent crack, again off the bench. probably after taking off mauger, as an injury to him would be as bad as DC getting injured. Get the Welly boys running on in Piri and Nema to get some aggression in there!! I think we need to be a bit wary of the Springboks, as they will come out fired up, but i'm picking AB's by 20 plus.
- Nige
I think the trio of Hansen, Smith and Henry will use the rotation policy to effect a good tri nations, especially with the last 2 tests ending in the republic. I can see Anton Oliver and Tialata starting in the front row and a possible replacement of Howlett for Rokocoko on the left wing. If not, maybe a straight swap, Gear for Howlett. I think the centres wil remain the same, giving Mulianina another run is a good option and build on the combination with Mauger (who will once again be a platform for the backline along with his combo with Carter)
My picks: Backs: 15.Leon MacDonald, 14.Rico Gear, 13.Mils Muliaina, 12.Aaron Mauger, 11.Doug Howlett, 10.Daniel Carter, 9.Piri Weepu
Forwards: 8.Rodney So'oialo, 7.Richie McCaw (captain), 6.Jerry Collins, 5.Ali Williams, 4.Chris Jack, 3.Carl Hayman, 2.Anton Oliver, 1.Neemia Tialata
- Mark
I think that there should be a couple of changes to the starting XV for this weekends' match but only in contentious positions like centre, halfback, wing and lock. The ABs plan should be to pummel the Boks from the kickoff, build a match winning lead early and then start substituting players (early 2nd half). Rather than worry about selections, I think they should be working on key skill deficiencies in the AB arsenal: 1 - Ability under the high ball, 2 - Consistency at the lineouts and 3 - tactical kicking. In all cases they should look to the Aussies: catching and kicking skills in AFL in particular. Also, Chris Latham for my liking is the benchmark fullback and a better punter than even Dan Carter.
- Steve
I would suggest very few changes to the starting line-up. In the backs, Piri Weepu to start. In the forwards, Neemia Tialata to start with Tony Woodcock to the bench. Reuben Thorne on the bench in place of Ali Williams. I would also suggest feeding Jerry Collins some raw steak prior to kick-off and let him loose on Butch James.
- Steve Allen
My picks are: 15. MacDonald 14. Howlett 13. Toeava 12. Mauger 11. Rokocoko 10. McAllister 9. Weepu 8. Tui'alii 7. McCaw 6. Collins 5. Eaton 4. Williams 3. Tialata 2. Oliver 1. Sommerville 16. Mealamu 17. Hayman. 18. Jack 19. Soi'alo 20. Kelleher. 21. Carter 22. Muliaina. And there you have it!
- Ross
Historic methods of keeping the same team are definitely out now, the game has chanegd and the expectation on players has increased. Look what happened when we lost Fitzy, Bunce, Zinny and co, we lost 5 in a row back in 98. The cartel is ensuring we have depth, and more importantly that the players can combine when called on. Many of our so called "B" players were first choice players over the last few years, hence, we gain from more experience, more combinations, and a wider choice of capable test players. The Boks are a shambles.
- Dean
I'm all for the ABS developing depth, as well as looking at combination possibilities and growing new players. However, who is the number one team in system like that and do any of us really think that this team will play together often enough to be better than say the Crusaders were in the Super 12. Combinations are built on trust, developed through playing together. When do our "worlds best" team get that chance? And as for Ali Williams showing hunger and passion to warrant replacing Jason Eaton as the number 2 lock, its real easy to look good when you sub on to a forward back that is packed with the world's best front row, the worlds best locking partner, loose trio and a Wallabies team that played like they a bunch of fairies at the ballet. I don't see why we reward a player for playing 20 good minutes in that game when he has been below par all season! The cream always rises to the top, and Williams this season - clearly is just Trim Milk. Until he EARNS it by doing the hard yards off the bench and showing some consistency then I think the ABS are better as they are!
- Haydn
My picks:
Backs: 15.Leon MacDonald, 14.Rico Gear, 13.Mils Muliaina, 12.Aaron Mauger, 11.Doug Howlett, 10.Daniel Carter, 9.Piri Weepu
Forwards: 8.Rodney So'oialo, 7.Richie McCaw (captain), 6.Jerry Collins, 5.Ali Williams, 4.Chris Jack, 3.Carl Hayman, 2.Keven Mealamu, 1.Neemia Tialata
Reserves: Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher, Reuben Thorne, Jason Eaton, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore.
- Andy
It is almost a given that Jake White will include one of the dirtiest players in SA viz. Butch James. Having said that, PLEASE ensure that Collins is selected to look after him because his mandate undoubtedly will be to unsettle Carter with his illegal tackles. I will be very surprised if James does not get a 10 minute stint in the bin.
-Steve Fortuin, Cape Town
I don't think Graham Henry should tinker too much with his team, but should consider some changes. Anton Oliver should be there to add some beef and experience along with Gregg Somerville starting. start Ali Williams as he definitely showed some hunger and purpose when he came on as sub in the last game. That would mean Mealamu, Woodcock and Eaton on the bench.In the backs I would make only one change in the starting line up and that would be Doug Howlett on the wing for Joe Rockoco.
Perhaps also Reuben Thorne on as a utility sub cover #6 and lock.
-Nick Burtenshaw
I think with the result from last week, I think go ahead, change our team. BUT as we all know, it will be next week over in Oz that will the ABs 1st REAL test this season. SA never perform away from home, but I do hope we put our best team for that game. We can't let Oz gain any confidence against the Men in Black 1 year out from the W Cup. I actually trust Henry & co. If you asked me that 2 weeks befoe I would've thought he was crazy. But do you REALLY think Henry & co will want to lose a test?? There proud like us.
GOOD LUCK ABS!!!
-James
Henry and his team have clearly had a policy of building player depth. They should continue along those lines. The year-end tour provides the perfect opportunity to develop combinations with a consistent line up. For now, lets see what different players are capable of in what's shaping up as a very intriguing Tri Nations. I can wear a loss or two at this stage if it means we will lift next years World Cup.
Starting Masoe, McAllister & maybe even Toeava this weekend may mean we risk losing the match, but what they learn will be invaluable next year - when it really counts.
- Mat
I don't care who the team is as long as we win. If making changes to build depth gives us the best possible shot at winning the World Cup, then I am all for it. I think Henry and co are on the right track towards that goal. Go the ABs!
- Bazza
I have every faith in Graham Henry & co - after all there are enough 'educated' heads there to bounce off ideas and options. The important thing is that if our forwards are being successful and we're winning at rucks and mauls and the ball is getting out quickly to our backs, then why would we change them for now. Our backs - including the bench - are able and have the goods, but we need our midfield to gel and get their combinations right, so if anything rotate our wingers so they all get game time and when our midfielders are 'constantly' getting it right then add some changes there!
- Nina
Graham Henry and co should stick with the same team that beat Australia. Australia beating South Africa by a massive margin does not mean nothing to us. For all we know South Africa may just wake up in time for this weeks test in Wellington and give us a big shock. Continue to stick with the players that first played to start building on the combinations that have now been formed in the first test against Australia. Is this not what we are after? The experimenting month of June has now passed.
- Jason Sampson
Well I believe that the AB Coach should stick to the old team. Unless there are injuries, then consider few changes. Dougie Howlett is a very talented winger and I prefer him to be on the bench but leave Roko and Rico to cope the physical side of the Springboks. The combination of Richie, Jerry and So'oialo is one of the best in the world and they should remain there with no changes on the forwards substitute. Good Luck to our AB and hope to see a repeat of the performance from where they left off.
- Douglas
