Henry shakes things up
10 Jul 2007
Graham Henry has chopped seven of the starting XV from the 20-15 defeat against Australia for Saturday’s Vodacom Tri Nations test against the Springboks in Christchurch.
Henry will never use the word axe, but it doesn’t mean we can’t.
He prefers rotation, but it is clear he wanted to give some of his stars, most notably Jerry Collins, a shake-up ahead of the Tri Nations finale against the Wallabies in a week’s time.
Henry had promised to play his strongest starting line-up in every Tri Nations test, but he has made five and seven changes respectively for the last two tests.
And when he names the side for Australia, there will be between five and seven changes again.
Outside of Collins’s demotion to the bench (for Rueben Thorne, who also provides the lock cover), there is no match opportunity for Joe Rokocoko and Aaron Mauger. There is however one last chance for Doug Howlett to make it to the World Cup.
Those missing from Melbourne are Rico Gear, Rokocoko, Mauger, Byran Kelleher, Collins, Troy Flavell and Anton Oliver.
All Blacks: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Andrew Hore, 17, Neemia Tialata, 18 Jerry Collins, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Conrad Smith, 22 Nick Evans.
242 Comments
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10 Jul 2007, 13:26 pm
Kleinboer #179.
In fact the proposed 1967 AB Tour of SA was cancelled because of the mantra of the time, “No Maori’s , No Tour”.
The Tour eventually took place in 1970 and included, 1 Samoan and 3 Maori players. All of whom played in the Test Matches.
This was also the first televised Tour of SA, and was the beginning of the end for Rugby between NZ and SA under the circumstances of the time.
10 Jul 2007, 13:27 pm
geez st,p
were you bred in tswane? that little comment from capt d was a play on words – a joke – getit?
10 Jul 2007, 13:27 pm
…you’re right. he had a great game though.
10 Jul 2007, 13:27 pm
ok okes…it’s been fun.
going to go and watch Bruce Willis kick some ***.
Yippe kaaiyea (isn’t that part of the haka?)
Go luck to the boks, bad luck to the kiwis
Dosverdanya
or Paka (if you are on first name terms)
10 Jul 2007, 13:29 pm
199 – I’ll believe you. For now. Cool book.
10 Jul 2007, 13:29 pm
#126 Not only did George Nepia (and others like him, such as Mac Herewini et al ) never tour SA, but the compliant NZRFU of that time happily obliged the strong racial sensitivities of their Yarpie guests and so didn’t even pick Maori/PI All Blacks to play against them even on home NZ soil, outside of the odd regulation game against NZ Maori which was treated like a trip to the urologist for the prostate-checking “finger” examination. (No, THAT particular “digital examination” wasn’t done by a calculator-looking apparatus, but by a man wearing a latex glove… Digital version 1.o1. Digits are actual human FINGERS, not numerals
It’s all a bit shameful now that’s it all gone.
10 Jul 2007, 13:30 pm
I remember the broad-faced, fuzzy-haired, stocky Maori scrumhalf in 1970. Syd Going? He went. Back home to NZ after the tour.
10 Jul 2007, 13:32 pm
kleinboer @ 207,
Was that around the same era of Dave Loveridge?
10 Jul 2007, 13:34 pm
Ja but Julies made a suburb long range, skipping pass to setup the one try, so what if hougaard passed. The other has escaped my memory…will need to youtube it
Besides I feel i’m pretty unbiased here, I was not a fan of vanHeerden, but boy did he prove me wrong this weekend and if he keeps his play up there id pick him at 6 over burger….burger at 7 before i get lynched
The only bias I have is against negative boring rugby. Besides AUS and NZl have proven with results that SA’s game plan is rather outdated and ineffective this season. SA only won against AUS in SA thanks to Steyn. Then burger gets MOTM where if Steyn had not come on a AUSSIE would have gotten it.
Ja and on this point cant remember the last time a player from the losing side got MOTM.
Hougaard simply is not a well rounded fly half, he has improved under lauden’s tutelage and Meyer knows how to use him well within his bulls game plan. Perhaps if meyer becomes SA coach we will c Hougaard blossom.
I presented my case for Julies being MOTM for his vision and directly setting those tries up, now tell me why Hougaard deserved it?
10 Jul 2007, 13:35 pm
#183 No need to feel sorry for me man. My people have always been treated as a second class citizen in their country so we have toughened up. I think its been proven that our spirit cannot be broken. Such tags do not stick on me. I actually expect the same from the players of colour. People have conveniently put negaive conotations with the term and will use it even when its unjustified. Players shoudl also get used to that.
Lastly , who confused “quota” with talent? Are you trying to tell me that a quota player can have no talent? That is incorrect! Most of them are there on talent that is expected to be nutured. The unfortunate part is that it can only be nutured at bok level because most clubs and provinces are not willing to do this job. Convince your clubs and provinces to buy into this and we’ll cease to have these arguements. Also people should stop being silly by calling non quota players quotas when they know this is not true. On the contrary they should call them that so that rugby is exposed for what it really is where fairness does not exist. It might even make them hungrier. Call them Quotas!
10 Jul 2007, 13:35 pm
I wonder what is the track record of the Springboks against the Maoris in New Zealand? Can someone look that up, please?
10 Jul 2007, 13:36 pm
Naaied by the All Blacks?
Goodness gracious.
10 Jul 2007, 13:37 pm
Petersburg,#197.
The 1981 AB team to face SA contained the following players who were obviously of Maori heritage:-
Frank Shelford.
Steven Pokere.
Hika Reid.
and Fred Woodman
Bernie Fraser was of Fijian Heritage.
Pedantic, you better believe it Bro.
10 Jul 2007, 13:37 pm
kleinboer,
Can I ask, what does Naaied mean?
10 Jul 2007, 13:40 pm
214 – screwed.
10 Jul 2007, 13:44 pm
Stodders, no, I can’t recall Dave Loveridge. Sounds like an actor in a blue movie.
I recall Bryan Williams as a brilliant 19-year-old wing on tour with the ABs here. I think he now coaches one of the island teams. Samoa, I think.
10 Jul 2007, 13:47 pm
Dave Lovering was the drummer in the Pixies. He certainly hasn’t toured here.
10 Jul 2007, 13:47 pm
I was at the SASSU Rugby week last week. I must say a lot of this negativity in rugby seems to exist on this blog. I saw a lot of talented youngsters and almost all of them were there to try and catch the eyes of the selectors.
Tacitus here is an interesting one for you. The biggest guy at the week was in fact black. His name was Giant Motsweneng played for the University of Joberg.
10 Jul 2007, 13:49 pm
Loveridge was NZ halfback in late 70s/early 80s with an amazing pass. He was halfback pretty much straight after Sid.
BG Williams had an amazing debut tour to SA 14 tries in 13 matches. Hes a former coach of Samoa with the great Michael Jones the current one.
10 Jul 2007, 13:49 pm
You know its 95% of Bok fans that make the rest look bad
10 Jul 2007, 13:52 pm
#220 – Getting old vindicated. You’ve already posted that comment…
10 Jul 2007, 13:53 pm
#218 – How old was he?
10 Jul 2007, 13:54 pm
The Aussie press makes the normal Aussie on the street look bad. That is, Aussies that I’ve met in person were far more pleasant than their hacks.
10 Jul 2007, 13:54 pm
On the topic of AB’s first choice team. If this Saturday was the world cup final, of that team named only howlett and thorne would not be in the side. With Collins and Rokocoko being preferred ahead. I dont think the same thing could be said for the south african lineup.
10 Jul 2007, 13:56 pm
If you quota, quota, quota, quota, quota, quota very quickly after a few drinks it almost sounds like Khoisan. Pity that transformation can’t help them…
10 Jul 2007, 13:59 pm
Klienboer & Tanatan,
Lets us not forget that BG Williams was also a Hurricanes back coach some 10 yrs ago as well.
He was/is one of the Gentlemen of the game. One of NZ’s greats. As was Sid, and Dale Loveridge who many Kiwi’s consider to be our greatest half-back of all time.( though not mine).
10 Jul 2007, 14:00 pm
#220 lol.
Who stole your cornflakes.
10 Jul 2007, 14:00 pm
225 – Got any better party tricks? That one sucks.
10 Jul 2007, 14:02 pm
Tanatan,
Yes agree……..but Thorn and Douggie would be in the 22.
Thorn to cover 4,5 and 6.
Douggie to cover 11,14 and 15.
10 Jul 2007, 14:11 pm
222 Not sure I never really bothered asking. But UJ only brought their U20 side so I’m thinking he is probably 20.
10 Jul 2007, 14:45 pm
223 Kleinboer – after me living in Oz for the last 10 years….you are spot on boet
10 Jul 2007, 14:54 pm
Surprised to see that troy Flavell missed out on this game. Played well in the republic as well as against the Aussies in the 45-55 minutes he was on the field.
Flavell can cover probably as good as Thorn but it is a good headache for Henry and his wise men to ponder over.
10 Jul 2007, 14:59 pm
P.S.
Sivivatu and Gear are the perfect wing combo for the AB’s, with Howlett as cover. Joe Rokocoko is lazy and too lethargic on the wing, not enough work off the ball, reminds me of the great Jonah Lomu.
Gear, Sivi and Howlett, are extremely hard workers off the ball and get into scoring positions and can score and set up as good as any centre three quarter.
Joe is not bad insurance though. For the centres you have the current pairing for this weekend and also mauger and smith on the bench. Nonu still in the mix, but will only be on stand-by IMHO.
10 Jul 2007, 15:07 pm
233 – As long as you leave Caleb Ralph out of the mix. The other 4 are all very good.
10 Jul 2007, 15:31 pm
CSI
What’s your opinion of Mils?
10 Jul 2007, 17:01 pm
Dawn
whats you opinion of CSI ?
10 Jul 2007, 17:16 pm
Miami or Vegas?
Mills sucks. Specially the menthol.
10 Jul 2007, 17:48 pm
233 CSI
But the opposition still have not worked Roco out…I mean
1) Spins the same direction in the tackle
2) Tries to gane extra inches falling forward rather than protecting the ball
I still rate Sivi, Gear and Roco as the best 3
10 Jul 2007, 17:49 pm
235 Mils is a good 13.
11 Jul 2007, 02:32 am
Pretty good side but GH should have done the changes before the Melbourne match I guess its too late for that now….GH has to have more confidence in his bench and starting them after a real hard game the week before.Will he learn?I guess we will wait and find out.
11 Jul 2007, 04:59 am
What the hell are you smoking CSI?
Flavell hasn’t played well. He’s dropped a lot of ball in recent games, more than Toeava.
As for Roko being lazy? You’re way off. Rok goes in looking for work, a whole lot more than Gear. Gear is the lazy one. Why do you think Howlett gets picked ahead of Gear? Not because of their running abilities. It’s all because Howlett has a better work rate, and better defence.
Rok and Sivi starting wingers. Gear and Howlett battle it out for 3rd spot.
11 Jul 2007, 06:03 am
Shytttttt! He is fielding a B-team. That will upset the Aussies. lol
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