Kiwi wrap (Wed)
28 Jan 2009
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from New Zealand’s Super 14 franchises.
Mealamu leads Blues
All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu will captain the Blues when they face the Reds this Friday.
John Afoa and Anthony Boric are back in the starting mix, as is Joe Rokocoko. Jimmy Gopperth will partner former Force No 9 Chris Smylie.
There is still no room for Ali Williams who recently returned from a stint at the Crusaders.
Blues - 15 Paul Williams, 14 Josevata Rokocoko, 13 Anthoiny Tuitavake, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Smylie; 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Onoai’i Auva’a, 6 Jusatin Collins, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c) 1 Tevita Mailau.
Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 *Dean Budd, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Taniela Moa, 21 Tasesa Lavea, 22 Rudi Wulf, *Frances Smith, Charlie Faumuina, *Winston Stanley, *Grayson Hart Michael Hobbs, Jamie Helleur.
AB’s back for Saders
Defending Super 14 champions, the Crusaders will welcome back the majority of their All Blacks for Friday’s clash against the Highlanders.
All Blacks Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Ross Filipo and Ben Franks have all been included in the 29-man squad for the Crusaders’ second warm-up match.
Leon MacDonald, who was troubled by a head injury last year, makes a second successive start while Stephen Brett will begin at 10.
Crusaders – 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Steve Alfeld; 8 Nasi Manu, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Jonathan Poff, 5 Ross Filipo, 5 Michael Paterson, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Daniel Perrin, 1 Owen Franks.
Subs: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Jared Payne, 23 Tim Bateman, 24 Adam Whitelock, 25 Richie McCaw, 26 Thomas Waldrom 27 Ben Franks, 28 Isaac Ross, Tyson Keats.
This post will be updated throughout the day.
5 Comments
28 Jan 2009, 07:46 am
Jimmy Cowan as Highlanders skipper? Well, that really IS a case of appointing a king poacher as the royal game-keeper…
28 Jan 2009, 12:31 pm
# TheTackler: or a twat as captain, they had to ‘hold him back’ from beating up the England team as I recall, real hero Cowan
28 Jan 2009, 13:06 pm
#2 Big Hit: As big a hero as you are big ***/**** “wait until the autumn internationals expert” – you tosser!
28 Jan 2009, 13:47 pm
#2 Big Hit: Seems as if your own bitterness has turned you into something akin to that which you proclaim Jimmy Cowan to be. Always knew your bile was always likely to consume you
28 Jan 2009, 18:39 pm
OMG – Gopperth at no10 for the Blues ???!!!! That, surely, is a sign of the times. Never in a million years could I ever imagine a player SO limited as Gopperth at 1st-5 for the Blues, he is utter rubbish. To think that Auckland/Blues have had such mecurial players as Spencer or legends like Fox or Nick Evans controlling their scinitilating backs. Gopperth ???!!!!! He is so bad he would make Cirpriani look as good as all the Brit scribes say he is !
Lavea, on the bench, isnt too much better especially considering the Blues have already ditched him once before when he then transferred to the Cheifs. Didnt do anything there either, altho for some reason they thought Stephen Donald was better (than anyone !).
I hope Rokocoko isnt banking on getting too much ball this season.
The flipside of the coin will be seeing Brett have a consistent run at 1st-5 for the Crusaders. Pure class that boy, albeit his D was exposed when pushed outside by DC to no12. Watch Brett show his class with a run of games, a natural talent.
Great also to see Leon MacDonald back, a classy and brave player. Hope his scone holds together.
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