Read to lead All Blacks
15 Nov 2012
Kieran Read will captain the All Blacks for the first time when they play Italy on Saturday.
Read replaces Richie McCaw, who will be rested. Read is also expected to assume the reins at the Crusaders and All Blacks in 2013 when McCaw takes a six-month sabbatical.
Coach Steve Hansen has made 14 changes to the side that smashed Scotland 51-22 last week. An entirely new pack will start in Rome this weekend, while Julian Savea is the only survivor from the backline that started in Edinburgh.
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Ali Williams, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Cory Jane.
76 Comments
15 Nov 2012, 09:37 am
This will be interesting.
Win or lose it will answer a lot of questions about the depth of NZ rugby.
15 Nov 2012, 09:43 am
i really dislike this guy, a lot.
cannot stand his smug orc face at all.
also his behaviour leaves much to be desired.
15 Nov 2012, 09:56 am
best 8 in the world currently…
15 Nov 2012, 09:58 am
picamoles was a beast vs the aussies ladt week though & to think we’ve had to suffer spies for 5 years
15 Nov 2012, 10:03 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-2: I am sure that the feeling would be very mutual if he actually gave a damn what thoughts came from your latest batch of bad drugs.
15 Nov 2012, 10:09 am
This team looks more potent than the outfit that fronted at Edinburgh.
Read is being talked up as the next AB captain to take over from McCaw, but I suspect he will have a while to go before he gets the opportunity.
If that happens it will make me happy, if for no other reason than the chagrin it will generate in all the frustrated McCaw enviest’s.
15 Nov 2012, 11:30 am
Italy should dominate at scrumtime
Italy by 3
15 Nov 2012, 11:33 am
@Transformation-4:
Imoul Hardounay (sp?) is the Best 8 in world IMO..but Read in great form
15 Nov 2012, 11:35 am
This is the backline+Weepu that the Hurricanes could have had if they’d stayed together. With Andre Taylor another option at the back. Not bad.
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-2: I’m looking forward to your assessment of Sam Cane and whether he has mastered the art of cheating yet or still needs some work. Although the games are all on at the same time this weekend.
15 Nov 2012, 11:48 am
@greatest13gerber-7:
You will of course be putting money on your prediction G13G?
Somehow I think not.
15 Nov 2012, 11:50 am
@gonzo-9:
Good point gonzo.
15 Nov 2012, 11:53 am
@greatest13gerber-8: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe tops that list at the moment. Followed by Sergio Parisse and then one of the Frenchies – both Harinordequy and Picomoles are great.
15 Nov 2012, 11:57 am
@katman-12:
****.
15 Nov 2012, 11:58 am
@cane-13: I don’t speak asterisk, pilgrim. Let’s have that again in a popular dialect.
15 Nov 2012, 12:00 pm
@cane-13:
OOOOps.
cr ap is a moderated word it seems.
15 Nov 2012, 12:01 pm
@cane-13: Sorry, forgot about Read. He comes in at 8, after Vermeulen, Heaslip and Faletau. Solid player. You guys can be proud.
15 Nov 2012, 12:04 pm
@katman-16:
Even you don’t believe that Jackalman.
15 Nov 2012, 12:07 pm
@cane-17: Oh, I believe it like a muthafcker. Don’t you doubt that for a nanosecond, caner. Read is the definitive journeyman.
Do you think he’s Zinzan Brooke? Or Michael Jones?
I know it might feel unnatural, but try to be honest.
15 Nov 2012, 12:08 pm
AB captains are chosen based on their cheating, not leadership, ability.
15 Nov 2012, 12:16 pm
its funny, read is a journeyman apparently, but of all the 8s listed by so many saffas, hes one of the few with a World cup winners medal..
but i definitely am loving the sour grapes coming out of the republic…
about right for a mediocre test nation with a 50% win record this season..
15 Nov 2012, 12:18 pm
@gonzo-9:
sorry Gonzo, i cannot stand the nz rugby team and do not in any way enjoy watching them play, at all. the time i ever make an exception is when the boks are playing, because its the boks.
i dont like their rugby and do not expect to start liking it anytime soon.
the ozzies unfortunately are going down the same it seems of late and i may stop watching them too. their lame adoption of your blocking/obstruction technique and the repeat usage thereof is really irritating i find.
15 Nov 2012, 12:20 pm
@gonzo-9:
so in short, i will not be able to give you a detailed assesment of his cheating unless its one of the two times nz play the boks and of course if he is playing.
15 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm
gonzo
read bakkies post as that of a sore loser..
12 victories over us in 20 years, no wonder they are clutching at any and every thing…
its cause their team is useless…end of..
15 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm
@poppa69-20: Bobby Skinstadt also has one of those. And your point is?
15 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm
@katman-18:
Yes.
15 Nov 2012, 12:22 pm
@katman-24:
15 Nov 2012, 12:24 pm
@Finfan-19:
And Springboks Captains are chosen on what………………………………..The rectangular shape of their heads?
15 Nov 2012, 12:26 pm
Read is the best no8 in the world at present. He is certainly the best we have had since Zinzan in his time To me, read is a very similar player to juan smith. Very fast, great skills, and tough as nails in defence. Pity smiths career has been hit so badly by injury.
Although there are some other good 8′s around, including the frenchies mentioned above, I don’t think any of them are the alround players and consistent performers that Read and a smith are. Those two are in a class in their own IMHO.
Vermuelan? Too slow.
If he was bigger an if he played 8, Francois LOWE would be a similar sort of player. Very constructive playing style.
15 Nov 2012, 12:27 pm
@cane-27: only having 2 knuckles that drag on the ground..
theyre seen as advanced in SA society,.,.
15 Nov 2012, 12:28 pm
@cane-25: I see your Yes and I raise you a Bullshit.
15 Nov 2012, 12:33 pm
@poppa23, yes what has rattled their cages? Maybe they have been upset by all the praise that has been heaped on the AB’s for the way they beat Scotland?
The AB play in the first half was sublime. The speed at which they cleared the ruck and The speed and accuracy of the passing and offloading was breathtaking.
Bakkies is really missing out on a rugby lessen with his policy of not watching the AB’s. although our defence was a bit shabby, they gave an attacking master class that other teams will be copying for years to come.
15 Nov 2012, 12:37 pm
@cane-10:
ofcouse not but I know they will back themselves against that Black front row.
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has being great this year.
Must be up there for player of the year
15 Nov 2012, 12:38 pm
@corporal punishment-31: wait until they lose to scotland this weekend… the Scots know they can beat them, and will be smarting from last weekend..
Bravehearts by 7..
15 Nov 2012, 12:41 pm
@katman-30:
Over the last two years, Read has been the best forward, and most likely the best player. full stop. In the best Team in the World.
Yes………………………………………said it all.
Duane……………………………..are you crazy. Have you been living among the Weepees too long. You are getting too much oxygen down there katman.
Get yourself back to the thin air before it’s too late.
15 Nov 2012, 12:42 pm
@ poppa 33: the boks have picked close to their strongest side, while it might an arm wrestle the boks should get thru.
I don’t know where gerbil gets the idea this is a weak front row. 200 caps between woody and kevvie, and Charlie is no slouch not that it matters because we will still win with our scrum going backwards.
15 Nov 2012, 12:42 pm
@poppa69-33:
Now Popps……………………………………………you are just being farking ridiculous.
Crofters by 6.
15 Nov 2012, 12:48 pm
@cane-36: nah, it will be two whole weeks away from their mummies, we know the big bad saffa boys struggle with that..
its why they are only playing 3 tests up north this year, less games to lose..
15 Nov 2012, 12:52 pm
@poppa69-37:
It would be nice if Scotland won.
Good for THE GAME.
And it must be said, I do love a humble Saffa.
15 Nov 2012, 12:53 pm
@cane-38: Ive never met one tbh…
they have an entitlement thingy going on by believing they are the best rugby nation in the world…
when theyre so plainly not..
15 Nov 2012, 13:11 pm
@poppa69-39:
They never have been Popps.
We have always had a better Test average than them. Against All Comers.
Only biased / cheating / corrupt Refs in matches played in SA kept them in the frame at all.
Neutral Refs soon put a stop to that nonsense……………………………………………………..then the whining began……………………….and has never ceased since.
Cup your ear to the west Popps,
you can hear the whine on the edge of the Pacific Rim when atmospheric conditions are right.
15 Nov 2012, 13:15 pm
@katman-12: Have agree with cane, Read is the best #8, not on ability but on pure form he has been the best for the last three years now.
15 Nov 2012, 13:16 pm
@cane-38: A humble sheep lover is better
15 Nov 2012, 13:17 pm
@poppa69-37: We aren’t as cash strapped that we need to put more strain on our players.
15 Nov 2012, 13:19 pm
sorry…
just can’t get worked up about this player… the only all black player ever that i simply do not like…
i just don’t believe he fits the same strong leadership tower-of-strength bill of all black captains past…
let’s hope richie plays on for another 10 years…
juan martin fernandez lobbe the current form number 8 in the world…
by some distance….
15 Nov 2012, 13:19 pm
@cane-40: so it emanates from the cape of good no hopers?
a mixture of trade winds and the crying souls of flying dutchmen?
15 Nov 2012, 13:26 pm
@goodstuff-42:
True enough. We all benefit from a good dose of humility every once in while.
15 Nov 2012, 13:30 pm
I’m a Kieran groupie. Yes, I said it.
Your old school, hard as nails fella with some new school skill to boot.
Where he leads, players will follow.
And yes, he might not have Richie’s marketing appeal, but he has that “Braveheart” sh y te going, and that’s far more valuable to the team IMHO.
15 Nov 2012, 13:30 pm
@cane-46: How would you know? It’s never happened to you lot before?
15 Nov 2012, 13:34 pm
@Transformation-3: The best 8 is actually his direct opponent Sergio Parise captain and 8 of Italy (unless he’s injured haven’t seen the Italian team) unfortuantely he plays for Italy, so never gets the recognition he deserves.
15 Nov 2012, 13:41 pm
Time for Vermulen to step it up I think.
Personally, I think he’s a blindsider not an 8.
If you think of the quality 8s around, Parisse, Picamolles, Read, Denton, even Lobbe when he plays there, etc, Vermulen really doesnt cut it.
Not a classic no 8.
15 Nov 2012, 13:57 pm
uyindoda Reedo
15 Nov 2012, 14:45 pm
The AB fans really pss me off sometimes, but the AB’s are playing amazing ruggas, it seems it doesn’t matter what players they currently use they still play great rugby.
The NH teams still bend over and take it whenever the AB’s are in town, it’s like they don’t even try to believe they can beat the AB’s.
Sad really.
15 Nov 2012, 18:15 pm
Forget about just best 8, on form in performances in Test rugby this year Read is the best player on the planet. No weaknesses,line out option,great on defense,high work rate,excellent link play,great skills.
Has outplayed every 8 he has faced this yr. Lobbe in NZ and in Argentina wasn’t all that influential while Read set up a number of tries.vs Boks in Soweto he outplayed Vermuelen hands down.especially 2nd half.
Kieran Read is a class player
He will outplay Parisse this weekend as well-Parisse a class act himself.Had his best game vs England this yr 6N
Kaino last yr,Read this yr IRB players of the year,in as much as I like Dussetoir and had a huge rwc final the body of work didn’t deserve award-was sporadic.
15 Nov 2012, 18:34 pm
I still don’t buy the hype.
Good player. Excellent player. But the best nr8 in the world?
Better than Parisse, Harinordiqoy, Bonnaire, Heaslip, Falatau?
Slap me with a raw fish but I don’t get it.
15 Nov 2012, 18:35 pm
@willievz-54: Sorry, I almost forgot the best of the lot…
Fernandez-Lobbe
15 Nov 2012, 19:08 pm
The worlds best and rightly so.He currently has no competition in the eight position.The perfect eight.Welcome to the world of Kieran Read.
15 Nov 2012, 23:27 pm
All this arguing about best #8 in the world or not? Kearan would be embarrassed as he is a humble sort of guy and right at the moment I don’t think he could give a toss. His main focus will be that he is an AB captain at 26 or 27 – not too shabby and couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
15 Nov 2012, 23:34 pm
@mshiniwami-53:
Dude, most 8′s would look awsome playing in this AB’s team. Put him in Lobbes boots and get him to play against the AB’s and then maybe you can compare!
16 Nov 2012, 05:42 am
@whatever-58:
glad you said most, Spies would still be a donkey playing 8 for the world and RC champions
16 Nov 2012, 05:54 am
@NZINCHINA-59:
Agreed, he’d make a good 7′s player I think……..but he should be nowhere near a test squad
16 Nov 2012, 06:01 am
@whatever-60:
plenty of your countrymen don’t rate Read for some reason, he’s got to be short odds to win IRB
16 Nov 2012, 06:04 am
player of the year, although apparently its common knowledge on KEO unless a SAFFA wins the award is fixed and doesn’t really count, especially McCaw’s 3 awards an annual nomination all fixed apparently
16 Nov 2012, 06:08 am
That’s where we have got to now with a number of SAFFA supporters unfortunately, all awards are fixed that don’t involve a South African player and all WC’s that aren’t won by SA are also fixed very sad.
16 Nov 2012, 06:50 am
@NZINCHINA-63: Must be honest, not sure why some of my compratiots don’t rate him (when I’m sure most of them secretly wished we had him on our side)
16 Nov 2012, 07:20 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-64:
the boys from Pretoria would prefer Spies but the real rugby brains from the Cape and Durban know how good he is
16 Nov 2012, 07:42 am
@NZINCHINA-63: But don’t you thin kit odd that their has been a NH team in the last two WC when we can see the gulf in the class between north and south? But be honest, Bryce “my daddy works for NZRU” Lawrence screwed us over, just as Wayne “play on” Barnes gave you guys the finger in the 2007 WC.
You guys went on about ONE bad call, we had about 18. Also let’s not forget the bounty the “accepting” people of NZ set on Wayne Barnes head, I believe it was a $10 000 reward for his demise?
So whining comes from all corners of the world buddy, and even the Aussies (the ******* most arogant nation in the world) agreed that we were cheated.
16 Nov 2012, 08:11 am
Read is over rated because he generally stands out in a team, that features players (1 – 15) who are the best or there abouts in their respective positions in the world? That is an interesting way to view it to say the least.
I’m more than happy to have an eight that hits rucks and holes, pulverizes opposition eights (Vermeulen), claims kick-offs, offloads….. and so on. Lobbe is good, Parisse is and has been impressive for a long time, but Read is exceptional. Shining bright amongst two of the great players of all time in Dan and Richie is no small feat.
16 Nov 2012, 08:17 am
Now if he can only lose that deer-in-the-headlights look
16 Nov 2012, 08:21 am
@NZINCHINA-65: May I edit your reply? “the boys from Pretoria would prefer Spies but the real rugby brains from the Cape know how good he is”
16 Nov 2012, 09:27 am
@goodstuff-66: “You guys went on about ONE bad call, we had about 18.”
Sheesh, not this selective reading again.
Saffa okes keep telling that ABs supporters (at least the ones here) complain about the one call only, no matter how many times we stress that “That Call” was the least among of the reasons to complain, comparing to his refusal to penalize Frogs whe whole game (no pens awarded for last hour or so). But no, it keeps on and on.
Bryce was a Santa Claus comparing to uncle Wayne.
16 Nov 2012, 09:48 am
@ nils 70: you saved me the trouble of saying this yet again
Regarding spies, I personnally think he is a very good 8. He ihas good hands and blistering pace. Like messam of old, he plays too loose in tight games, but he gives the boks thrust on attack that none of the current mob have.
If he was in NZ, he would be in the AB set up he would have some work ons like messam and Vito, and wouldn’t command a dot until he had nailed those weaknesses. But that is no different to read, who was in and out of the Ab’s for the first couple of years.
16 Nov 2012, 09:50 am
Command a spot…
16 Nov 2012, 09:59 am
@corporal punishment-71: Please offer Spies NZ residency…..
16 Nov 2012, 09:59 am
Read is one of 5 or 6 senior all blacks who own their starting positions: dagg, Jane, McCaw, c smith, read and Owen franks.
Woodcock and nonu are close behind, although woodcock in particular is in the downhill slide.
Read will be there for some years, absent injury.
16 Nov 2012, 10:28 am
@corporal punishment-74: I agree with you, but you missed out one little name – D Carter. Can also include the 2 rotating hookers – H & M. At least 8 positions locked in with first choice players, and probably 9 including Nonu. 6 up for grabs plus the bench excluding the reserve hooker position.
17 Nov 2012, 01:45 am
@ aliboy – how could I forget carter! I discounted the hookers because they are only good for 50 mins, and solid but not destructive in the scrims like Bismarck.
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