AB's v France

[ozbash]

The All Blacks have named a team close to full strength for Saturday's first rugby test against France at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night.


The All Blacks coaches have named an impressive looking side for the first test against France in Auckland on Saturday.
Reuben Thorne will start as blindside flanker with Chris Masoe at No.8 while Rodney So?oialo has been named on the bench. Otherwise the forward pack has a familiar look to it with Ali Williams starting as lock alongside Chris Jack.
In the backs, the selection of Piri Weepu at halfback and Leon MacDonald at fullback have been made easier by the injuries of Byron Kelleher and Mils Muliaina, while Isaia Toeava will start at centre alongside Aaron Mauger.
Joe Rokocoko, who has only played a few club games in recent months, has been named on the right wing with Sitiveni Sivivatu on the opposite flank. Rookie halfback Brendon Leonard might get his first cap off the bench.

Meanwhile, the 26-man French squad sleep walked into the venue of the first of two tests with the All Blacks, barely registering with a nonplussed band of supporters.
Their greeting party could hardly be blamed for having difficulty in putting names to the 14 new faces as one of the most inexperienced touring parties in French rugby history arrived.
It was an assignment coach Bernard Laporte confirmed his union would have preferred to skip.
The Federation Francais de Rugby (FFR) attempted to pay its New Zealand counterparts compensation in lieu of a two-test series diluted by the absence of the vast majority of Laporte's likely World Cup squad.
French club rugby currently takes precedence, with the semifinals of the Top 14 being contested this weekend - a fixture clash which has denied Laporte the services of the cream of his crop. All Blacks side to face France: Leon MacDonald, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Troy Flavell, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Ma'a Nonu


wow, good luck france...

 

[Iafeta]

Imagine if Carter and Mauger can free up Sivivatu and Rockocoko - TRIES EVERYWHERE!

 

[Sanchez]

france are at $11 at the TAB

 

[kia ora storm]

Not sure about Masoe at no 8...still strong forward pack either way.

AB's by 20.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Usual first international of the year, won it easily without ever getting out of 3rd gear.

 

[ozbash]

i actually thought it was pretty boring. nobody in black really stood out.

liked the french #8. tough bastard.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

i actually thought it was pretty boring. nobody in black really stood out.

liked the french #8. tough bastard.

Yeah that shot he put on Masoe was a beauty. Re the ABs, they looked efficient enough, but as I said never really hit top gear so not surprising nobody really stood out. I though Williams and Rock probably looked the best.

 

[ozbash]

The All Blacks have made six changes to their run-on side for their second test against France in Wellington on Saturday.


The most notable move is Keith Robinson replacing Chris Jack as one of the starting locks after the All Blacks' 42-11 win over the tourists at Eden Park at the weekend.

In other changes in the forwards Anton Oliver will start instead of Keven Mealamu at hooker, Rodney So'oialo regains the No. 8 jersey off Chris Masoe and Jerry Collins has recovered from a heel injury to replace Reuben Thorne on the blindside.

Jack, Mealamu and Masoe all drop to the reserves while Thorne is out of the 22.

In the backs Byron Kelleher will start at halfback instead of Piri Weepu and Luke McAlister replaces Aaron Mauger at second-five.

Weepu and Mauger are not even in the reserves this week.

In the only other change Conrad Smith has shaken off a hamstring niggle to replace Ma'a Nonu in the substitutes.

Nonu leaves the squad to rejoin the Junior All Blacks in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Utility back Mils Muliaina was not considered because he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

First-five Dan Carter and skipper Richie McCaw will start the second test despite both leaving the field injured in the first test.

Despite the All Blacks' big win in the first test Henry said he was looking for improvement.

"Our execution can be better and we can handle stoppages better as well.

"We always wanted to play everyone during the series plus we have Byron Kelleher and Conrad Smith back from injury, so there have been a number of changes to the starting team.

"At the same time, we're also trying to give a bit of time out to some players who had long Super 14 campaigns," Henry said.

Forwards: Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo
Backs: Byron Kelleher, Dan Carter, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Josevata Rokococko, Leon MacDonald
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Nick Evans

 

[kia ora storm]

The no 8 from France looks like he has been marooned on an island for 10 years...good player.

 

[ozbash]

he's their best imo. looking forward to seeing how jerry collins treats him.

 

[kia ora storm]

Collins v Wild man = WW3

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Collins 1 - Chabal -0

Loved the look on Chabals face when he got up holding his shoulder after Jerry smashed him.... "Sacre bleue! what was zat?!"