Pool A latest – Carter out, Slade in
13 Sep 2011
Keo.co.za brings you the latest World Cup news from Pool A.
Carter out, Slade in – Dan Carter has been ruled out of the All Blacks’ game against Japan with a back injury. Carter will be replaced by Colin Slade at flyhalf, while Jimmy Cowan will now come onto the bench.
Henry rings changes – Graham Henry has decided to rotate some of his players for the All Blacks’ next pool match against Japan.
Mils Muliaina is back at fullback, while Cory Jane gets a chance on the wing. Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava are left out of the match 22.
Sonny Bill Williams is relegated to the bench as Conrad Smith returns to No 13 and Ma’a Nonu shifts to No 12. Andy Ellis is handed an opportunity at scrumhalf with Jimmy Cowan axed from the matchday squad.
In the pack, Adam Thomson comes in at No 8 while Keven Mealamu and Sam Whitelock are also handed starts.
The game will mark Richie McCaw’s 100th Test for New Zealand.
All Blacks – 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. John Afoa, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Jimmy Cowan, 22. Sonny Bill Williams
42 Comments
13 Sep 2011, 22:23 pm
downed a dragon???
13 Sep 2011, 22:25 pm
So Adam Thompson is back, we need whatever he takes to get our Bok injuries sorted out
13 Sep 2011, 23:01 pm
Thomson is not of standard, however, I think 8 is better for him at test level, his impact could be more convincing. Kahui on the left will be a testament to his skill set. Never been a fan of Ellis, Henry should of snapped up Kahn at the crusaders. Afoa has no business in the squad, crockett should have been there especially when you have Ben franks who covers both sides.
13 Sep 2011, 23:20 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-3:
hear friggen hear !!!!
altho I think Shaggy is poor in every loose-fwd position at Test level. His lack of power absolutely weighs against him at no8, he really should be an openside, given his speed and ball-handling skills, but Ive never seen him shine there either, possibly because he’s too tall to be effective at the breakdown.
13 Sep 2011, 23:43 pm
Dirt-trackers rolled out in a dirt-tracking encounter. Remember, the ABs once put 145 points on the Nipponese? No need to win that big.
14 Sep 2011, 00:09 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-3: I agree with everthing you say. Unfortunately, because Henry didn’t take a chance on Sam Harding last year or in the TN this year, there isn’t any obvious alternative to Thomson unless we want to try someone untested at thte top level. AB coaches just won’t do that – too conservative.
Both Vito and Thomson are underpowered/lack mongrel. Vito might develop into a strong player, butI can’t see Thomson ever making the grade.
I think Crockett’s form this year put him almost on the same level as Bismark – the guy is a BEAST on defence. He was massive in the Auckland win over the Wallabies. While Crockett is a bit of a penalty risk at scrum time, Afoa is a bigger risk because the scrum goes backwards when he is on. I don’t rate Ben Franks either, the AB scrum struggles to hold its own when he is on the partk. Nowhere near the class of his younger bro.
Woodcock is a massive gamble, as he is struggling to regain the necessary fitness and form. I think I would probably have Crockett the starting loosie, and Ben Franks on the Bench despite his weakness, and leave Woodcock out altogether. Bring Ben Franks on for his brother with 15 min sto go. Crockett is a beast that can go 80 mins.
Alas, it isn’t to be.
14 Sep 2011, 00:16 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-5:
and JK said earlier this week that he would select his own dirt-trackers for Japan.
As usual, ABs shackled by their record when it comes to RWCs with mediocre Pool-opposition proving ill-preparation for Qters. Given likely Qter-opposition is Argentina, who will have 2 tough’er games (Engl & Scotland), then ABs again will need to be battle-hardened by consistent selection. Presume from the France match, team will remain unchanged. Hope so…
14 Sep 2011, 01:22 am
So much for GHs statement after the 3N that his rotational policy had ended???
14 Sep 2011, 01:27 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-7: You have got to believe that Henry will play the same side from France onwards… Argentina or Scotland in the Quarters witll give the AB’s a tough game so we need to be as match hardened as we can be.
The most important thing is that our somewhat underdone forward pack gets plenty of game time before the knockout stages. The forwards named for Japan are, barring Reid for Thompson at 8, are all first choice players and hopefully Henry will now play them in every game barring injury. When Reid is back from injury, I assume Thompson will drop to the bench and Vito to the stands, unless Vito puts in a couple of miracle performances coming off the bench against Japan and France.
In the backline I suspect we are seeing the first choice line up with the exception of 9 and 15. I think Dagg will be the starting full back for France and then for the rest of the tournament. I have no idea who will be the first choice no9 tho – all three are average and significantly inferior to Will Genia.
14 Sep 2011, 01:27 am
@ufo(ufo)-8:
Well every team has there players to use.
They need to use all of them. You cant play the 22 every week can you?
GH has picked his team of players, for the RWC. Everyone knows who they are,no rotation as he said.
14 Sep 2011, 01:28 am
But that’s a helluva team nonetheless. Should carry the ABs to their second world cup.
14 Sep 2011, 01:32 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-9:
Thats nice of you to call Andy Ellis ‘average’.
I dont think its a given that Dagg is gonna start. Mils remains the incumbent, and has a knack of putting in a blinder every time the punters say he’s washed-up (remember TriN’10, he was superb in the Eden Park & Welly matches). Dagg still looks an exciting weapon but is still fairly inexperienced and makes a strong case as a super-sub. I’d back Mils in a Playoff, never lets the ABs down and his D is far superior to Daggs.
14 Sep 2011, 01:33 am
Hehe Hurricane… That’s not what GH said. I actually agree with you 100%. just pointing out it’s not consistent with what he said.
14 Sep 2011, 01:36 am
I said on another thread I’d bring Conrad n Mils back in the A team.
14 Sep 2011, 01:36 am
And thank Ted for finally seeing that Tarzan is the better option than Toeava. Cant figure out why Tarzan slipped off the radar for a while, he brings alot of skills and brilliant footwork to the side, particularly if Kahui now has 1 wing wrapped up.
Not convinced Whitelock is no1 yet. And Ted looks unsure too. Not that anyone knows WTF Ted really thinks.
14 Sep 2011, 01:41 am
BlackPanther @ 15
Lol Think you right about what Ted thinks. But hey no one will worry as long as Bill agrees!
14 Sep 2011, 03:24 am
Be aware of the brave blossoms….lets not forget that Japan has gone through one of the worst natural disasters known in this generation.
These games couldnt have come at a better time for some of the nations still reeling from the destructive forces of nature and has let people have a mental breather and allow them to look at how we rise from such tragedies. I really feel that the determination of some of these so called ‘minnows’ reflects that inner need to battle on believing one and all can rise again.
Win, lose or draw New Zealand, as with the rest of the competing nations can only come out of this on top, where we all belong.
14 Sep 2011, 03:25 am
…and congrats to Sam Stosur!
14 Sep 2011, 07:35 am
Is Dan Carter the Jean De Villiers of the All Blacks come World Cup time?
14 Sep 2011, 08:47 am
HHS: let’s DC does not have the sane bad luck! However, I did notice against tonga he struggled with his wrist.
14 Sep 2011, 09:05 am
carter injured? whoooaaaa!
queue queen & david bowie’s single…’under pressure!’…
14 Sep 2011, 09:15 am
is this the 1st team or what?
14 Sep 2011, 09:23 am
@SHARKattack(mabu)-22:
I reckon it pretty much is.
Reid in place of Thompson at 8 and Carter over Slade and this will be the team running out in the quarters etc.
I have a feeling GH still doesnt know who his best 9 is though.
Its the main area of concern for the Blacks.
14 Sep 2011, 09:46 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-23:
Yeah 100% agree.
This is starting XV barring Read in for Thompson,Carter for Slade,Cowan for Ellis.
Looks like Kahui has forced his way into starting Xv….Zac Guilford stock seems to have fallen drastically…They will rue leaving Sivi & Gear at home….(Guilford & Toeava shouldnt have been taken to RWC)
14 Sep 2011, 09:55 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-24: amazing that guilford’s stock “fell” over one game – brisbane – and kahui’s went up over one game – tonga.
14 Sep 2011, 09:58 am
keep rotating mofo – youre doing us all a favour.
14 Sep 2011, 09:59 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-15: Ted is claiming a spot for Krusty 2 at this rate
14 Sep 2011, 10:02 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-24:
Yeah, Guildford over Gear or Sivi is extremely surprising, you’d think as a strike winger, Gear especially is a no brainer.
Toeava can cover 15 as well so maybe thats GHs thinking in including him.
But yes,both very surprising omissions.
14 Sep 2011, 10:10 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-24: @John Galt(John Galt)-28: guilford was very industrious in this years super rugby and “out-worked” gear who didn’t enjoy a graet season with the canes. wayne smith said as much when the team was announced. his chasing of kick-offs and general positional play is far better than hosea. in PE hosea was nowhere albeit he was playing in a “weakened” team against the main bokke.
14 Sep 2011, 11:07 am
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. John Afoa, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Jimmy Cowan, 22. Sonny Bill Williams
I think Dagg should have at least been on the bench! And he can kick at posts too. Adam Thompson at 8 just makes me tense. So Piri is covering 10, which means Cowan will cover 9.
Eish, it’s okay. It’s Japan not France.
14 Sep 2011, 11:08 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-25: Guilford could have gotten a run against Japan for crying out loud, he was great in Auckland in the trinations. I’m just glad Toeava is out of the match 22. He makes me tense too.
14 Sep 2011, 12:28 pm
CONGRATS RICHIE!!! TEST 100 COMMING UP!
14 Sep 2011, 12:40 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-25:
I sense a brainfart and a choke coming up!
14 Sep 2011, 12:45 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-31: Guilford didn’t play @ Eden Park, sivivatu & hosea played, which is where sivi broke his cheek i think.
zac, before playing in brisbane last played against the “weakened” Boks in wellington where he scored two tries and in the warm up against fiji
14 Sep 2011, 12:49 pm
@willievz(willievz)-33: i don’t know about all of that, all i know is johan goosen would’ve done with the calming influence of Corne Uys on the inside against the guppys this coming weekend
14 Sep 2011, 13:06 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-32: He’s already the most capped AB isn’t he? Mils not far behind I know.
14 Sep 2011, 13:12 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-34: I think you’re wrong, but I’ll google and find out.
14 Sep 2011, 13:13 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-36:
Quite a feat. He’ll be the first to get 100 caps in the history of NZ rugby.
14 Sep 2011, 13:21 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-38: It is. Worldwide even.
Just goes to show how strict the AB’s selection policy is. Not even the great Fitzpatric came close.
14 Sep 2011, 13:24 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-37: You’re right. The wings he played in that match didn’t make it to the Wold Cup even. So strange hey.
14 Sep 2011, 14:37 pm
Watch out Japan… Slade and Adam Thompson are playing. Lol.
14 Sep 2011, 15:03 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-41:
Why did you call Danie a ‘drunk’, and Spies a ‘mangina’?
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.