Three bucks for Blacks’ Ireland Test
6 Jun 2012
New Zealand named three uncapped players in their run-on side to face Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.
Wing Julian Savea, scrumhalf Aaron Smith and lock Brodie Retallick will debut. Smith beats the out of form Piri Weepu to the No 9 shirt, with the Blues man on the bench. He’ll be joined there by Ali Williams, who was also a contentious inclusion given his indifferent Super Rugby form. However, there is no place in the match 22 for midfielder Ma’a Nonu.
Keven Mealamu has failed to recover from a calf injury, so Andrew Hore starts with Hika Elliot providing hooker cover on the bench. In the back row Victor Vito edges out Adam Thomson.
All Blacks – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
32 Comments
6 Jun 2012, 20:38 pm
No comment.
6 Jun 2012, 20:50 pm
Well balanced side that can play a variety of tactical approaches.
6 Jun 2012, 21:30 pm
After winning the 87 world cup
the AllBlacks went 19 tests undefeated
This 2012 model need to get down to business and do something similar
6 Jun 2012, 22:15 pm
If Weepu is allegedly selected because he can cover fly half and can kick, why have three backs on the bench? If Carter is injured, Cruden will cover him. Weepu will definitely come on at 60 mins at scrum half so by then he can’t even cover if Cruden is injured as there’s no one left to play scrum half. They’d need to put Dagg in at 10. So it’s really only in the unlikely event that Carter and Cruden are injured in the first 60. Well I guess it happened in 2007
6 Jun 2012, 22:20 pm
@spartan(spartan)-3:
Yes time to re-assert Ab dominance on world rugby. Under no illusions however. its going to be tough, a lot will depend on the attrition rate regarding injuries and form. This first test is a must win for them, but am confident that Abs will perform this weekend, to give coaches some breathing space and confidence to start rotating a few players.
6 Jun 2012, 22:29 pm
@gonzo(gonzo)-4:
Yeah would love to have a John Preston type on the bench to cover both 9 & 10, allowing a 2/5 split on the bench. For me Piri is there for insurance if Smith doesn’t cut the mustard. If Smith plays well could see Piri removed from bench come third test if everything goes to plan and replaced by Kerr Barlow who gives that sniping running game.
6 Jun 2012, 22:51 pm
hhmm hansen plays a daring hand…
i hope the tikes know grabbibg headlines for starting debuts in nz is a double edged sword…
where is isaac ross?
6 Jun 2012, 22:58 pm
Hard to gauge how this team might go. First test of the seasoni is always fraught with an element of trepidation. Transforming form on the training field is somewhat different than actually playing a lead in test against a lesser opposition. We have a very experienced coaching panel. This in itself gives me confidence . Foxe’s inclusion is a huge boost. His analysis will be a key factor. One of the best in the game anywhere in the world.
6 Jun 2012, 23:16 pm
@spartan(spartan)-3: No they didn’t. New Zealand’s best winning streak is 17 tests from September 1965 to June 1969.
6 Jun 2012, 23:21 pm
@Esoteric(Esoteric)-9: My apologies – you’re right, I did not read your statement correctly.
6 Jun 2012, 23:30 pm
I am very happy with this team. Plenty of experience in the pack, and plenty of world class players around those on debut.
NZ virtually always goes with a 4/3 split. Good mix of experience and energy on the bench (Elliot and Thompson can expect to run on against a tiring Irish team at the 60 minute mark).
I can’t see this team having any serious difficulty with the Irish, who will be exhausted after their club schedule over the last couple of weeks. This team should also monster Australia.
The real test will be when we play the boks. How will Retallick and Whitlock cope without Thorn in the mix? Can Vito get anywhere near Kaino’s devastating tackling? Cos you can be sure those will be areas the boks will target, in order to put pressure on the inexperienced smith at HB (although I fancy Weepu may well start against the Boks cos he can cope with that physical styple of play).
So – in summary – the only side that I think will test this team is the Boks. I think the Boks and the AB’s will be very evenly matched this year.
7 Jun 2012, 02:51 am
Team won’t look that different for the upcoming Rugby Championship. If fit, Mealamu will be in at hooker, and Jane/Kahui will be in the back 3. Otherwise, I can’t imagine too many changes.
My preference would be to see Jane come in at #14 and to keep a powerful ball in hand type, Savea/Gear, on the left wing.
7 Jun 2012, 07:34 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-7:
Thats how we like our coaches, daring and may I add progressive.
You mention poor old Issac Ross, you know he wasn’t up to it.He was found out and discarded, that is the way of the Abs. No use hanging on to someone who is gun shy. Don’t worry about Ab debutantes, they’ll do ok, you’ve seen them play, so all is well.
7 Jun 2012, 07:38 am
The AB’s are spoiled for talent in the backline it’s not even funny.
New Zealand have great depth at 9/ 10/ 12/ 13/ wings abd FB!
Where they are weak are at 4-8 in terms of depth, if Read and McCaw go down, then they are stuffed.
They have great TH as well, most likely the best balanced team in world rugby, this rugby championship is gonna be a tough one for HM.
Rugby Championship predictions:
1. All Blacks
2. Bokke
3. Woblies
4. Argies
7 Jun 2012, 07:42 am
@DAS(DAS)-12:
Ma’a Nonu will be raring to go come Championship time also, Hansen spoilt for choice in the backs, will have to unearth some locks though if we are to stay ahead of the chasers
7 Jun 2012, 07:43 am
Good team.
Irish wont come close to an upset.
3 – 0 for Blacks comfortably.
7 Jun 2012, 07:44 am
AB backline depth list:
15 – Dagg/ Taylor/ Smith
14 Guildford/ Jane/ Maitland
13 Smith/ Kahui/ Fruean
12 SBW/ Nanu
11 Savea/ Gear/ Ranger
10 Carter/ Cruden/ Barrit
09 Smith/ Weepu/ Ellis/ Cowan
WOW pure attacking power!
7 Jun 2012, 07:45 am
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-14:
If Read and McCaw go down it will even the odds. If your no8 goes down however Bokke odds improve.
7 Jun 2012, 07:46 am
Ratalick is no sloach at lineout, has stolen some good opposition ball in that facit of play.
I do believe the NZRU wished they bagged Tamalolo before he played for Tonga. That man is a monster.
7 Jun 2012, 07:50 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-18: The AB’s have poor replacements for those two, Read is an amazing player, the sad thing is that Spies has everything if not more than Read has physically, the only difference is attitude and the elusive mongrel factor.
Read is the perfect #8, I think he is more a key player to the AB’s then McCaw.
Adam Thompson is the best backup for McCaw? He would not even make the SA barbarian team.
7 Jun 2012, 08:02 am
@BreakdownBoy
Adam Thompson stats for Super 15 so far this year. First figure is rank, second is number of runs/lineouts etc
Most Runs: 4. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)132
Most Lineouts Won: 5. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)55
Most Tackles Made: 9. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)160
Most Run Metres: 19. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)687
Most Pilfers: 11. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)4
AND
Most missed tackles: 3. Willem Alberts (Sharks)31
7 Jun 2012, 08:04 am
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-20:
Adam Thompson isn’t the best back up to McCaw, get real no one is. One day we will have to come to the realization that Richie wont be around, but that day hasn’t come yet.
The difference between Read and Spies is the ability to read a game and manoeuvere himself into positions where he can best contribute, Spies on the other hand has restricted himself to the belief that he has to play tight with his eyes down charging into opposing players forgetting he is a LOOSE forward
7 Jun 2012, 08:16 am
@guangzhoupoes(guangzhoupoes)-21: lol
7 Jun 2012, 08:21 am
@guangzhoupoes(guangzhoupoes)-21:
Don’t be selective… he’s also near the top for ‘turnovers’ conceded with a huge 29…
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-22:
Matt Todd a better option for McCaw than Thompson…
I know they’ve been grooming Thompson for quite some time… but IMO and this is subjective… he’s a bit of a bush-pig and doesn’t have the smarts that many open-siders have…
7 Jun 2012, 08:22 am
This is a great looking side… in fact the only SH team guaranteed to win despite the bookies writing the Welsh and Poms off…
7 Jun 2012, 08:41 am
That’s a great match 22. They lose nothing when hitting the substitutes bench.
Victor Vito has really impressed me in recent matches for the Canes. Glad he’s starting ahead of Thompson.
Cruden has also been good, but he’ll know that there’s a pack of talented flyhalfs not far behind, particularly Barret from the Canes.
These guys will be tough in the Tri-Nations.
7 Jun 2012, 09:05 am
Thompson is only there as loose forward cover because
Sam Cane is the new , heir apparent to McCaw
As to the difference between number 8s
The 1 in black is relentless , he will be coming at you direct , down route one
straight over you straight through you it matters not
but you will have to deal with him and he will make you have to do it
again and again and again
when he has the ball and when you have the ball
he asks tough questions of the opposition. All day
The 1 in green should be the same
but sadly he is definitely not
For Spies own sake I hope he comes good
7 Jun 2012, 09:18 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-24: isn’t that stat actually turnovers effected instead of “conceded”?
7 Jun 2012, 09:24 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-28: Nope – on rugbystats the effected one is called pilfers, and on versuco “breakdown – won possession”
7 Jun 2012, 15:11 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-18: Read is the best 8 in the world atm. Wonderful player.
Bokke seriously missing a good 8. As soon as we drop Spies we’ll become a whole lot more competitive.
7 Jun 2012, 15:12 pm
@spartan(spartan)-27: He has piles of mongrel, yes, but he has a whole helluva lot of rugby brains too. That’s what makes him good.
7 Jun 2012, 15:43 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-18: Spot on.
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