Henry sticks with winning combo
20 Oct 2011
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has named an unchanged starting line-up for Sunday’s World Cup final against France.
Unlike the 2007 tournament where the side was changed from game to game, Henry has coveted consistency and built some momentum with the existing combinations. Adam Thomson is the only change to the 22, and will replace Victor Vito on the bench.
The All Blacks boast an impressive win record under Henry, but they are yet to win a World Cup. Henry admitted that this would be a motivating factor.
‘I’ve been with a lot of these guys for a long time and although they may be ranked the leading team in the world, they’ve never been world champions,’ Henry said. ‘It would be just marvellous to have that title because they’ve had every other title that’s going in rugby apart from this one.
‘So for Richie [McCaw] and the boys I think that would be fabulous and you don’t deserve that title till you do the job. I think they’re good enough and that would be the icing on the cake.’
The All Blacks coach said the team would not underestimate France.
‘This French team, we’re not sure who’s going to turn up, quite frankly. So we’ve got to prepare that they’re going to be the best in the world. They’ve certainly got the individuals to do that, it’s just whether they can produce that as a side. All the word is that they’ve prepared well and they’re very focused and they’re enjoying the underdog tag.
‘They feel that they’re not being considered in this final by a lot of people. We don’t think that. We think they’re a very good rugby team.’
If the All Blacks win the final, they will retain their No 1 world ranking.
New Zealand – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 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 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
165 Comments
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21 Oct 2011, 07:53 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-146:
Yip Hurri and to think only another 3 years, 11 months and 17 days to catch up with the record the Kiwis set.
PS The ‘record’ set with the Suzie whinge got taken out off the record book after it was found to be based on a myth…it would have been 16 years in June this year!
21 Oct 2011, 07:58 am
@j59(j59)-142: To be honest there was no support on this site by the Saffas for the obvious forward pass in 07 , again in the S14 in 2010 when an obvious forward pass by Maku for the Bulls , left the Saders losing at Loftus ….. Why then must we pity you regarding Lawrence – seems very one sided
21 Oct 2011, 07:59 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-151:
lol
well you all have started with a hiss and a roar by the way.
But i think its another record you guys wont get. Probably better coming second in this race.
As for Suzie, i dont know , wasnt there as you wernt but we all know it was food poisoning of a sort.
21 Oct 2011, 08:01 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-153:
But dont get me wrong, 1995 was not suppose to be anyones cup but South Africas.
No worries there at all.
21 Oct 2011, 08:08 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-153:
Hehehe for sanity sakes I hope we don’t get that record! Not sure I will be able to hang around for that..
Yip, ’95 was a good one to win. I watched a replay of it the other day and it is amazing to think that James Small was the most capped Bok on the day with something like 28 (or 34?) caps! But they defended like never before.
21 Oct 2011, 08:14 am
@JL1(JL1)-19:
“This is the World Cup Final and we are not here by coincidence.” – Clerc
Not coincidence….? So it’s because you’ve played great rugby and beaten all opposition as you’ve steam-rolled inexorably towards your moment of destiny in rugby history…?
jaaaaaaaa boat….
21 Oct 2011, 08:25 am
3 years of planning and now were here! On our way to eden park for the game and then its the big one, RWC final at eden park on sunday. Just wish the boks where there!! Good luck ABs! Fok NZ is an amazing place!
21 Oct 2011, 09:03 am
hash
jl1 and hg are still hurting after all their bravado before the tourney started. just humor the little men, it saves time and will allow them to get back to their tissues.
we can discuss this with them fir, oh I don’t know, another 4 years. it change nothing though, their team is already at home feasting on rancid, sour biltong.
as it should be, according to my get the harpies email
schweeeeeeeeet!!
21 Oct 2011, 09:05 am
All blacks yawn, all black supporters on this site yawn, all black *** creepers supporters yawn, NZ a big big big yawn, tomorrow is another day.
So its a foregone conclusion that NZ have already won?
How people will be in the countrytown of auckland for the final.
21 Oct 2011, 09:09 am
Maximus
dry them tears boy. lmfao.
21 Oct 2011, 09:17 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-160: What kind of celebration have you lined up for Sunday?
21 Oct 2011, 09:20 am
@Nils(Nils)-65: when did Burger “grab Pocock’s face” you’ve been repeating the same thing all over again. give me the minute and seconds .
thanks
21 Oct 2011, 09:51 am
So Thompson in for Vito! Whyyyyyyyy!
21 Oct 2011, 10:22 am
Rossoneri: Ted loves Thomson! Pity.
21 Oct 2011, 13:50 pm
I have a funny feeling about this game…
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