http://www.radiosport.co.nz/SportsNews/sprug/Detail.aspx?id=107532
Ma'a Nonu more surprised than anyone over playing at second five, while the French make seven changes
Ma'a Nonu admits the call to place him at second-five this weekend against France even took him by surprise.
He says he has been busy adjusting to playing at 12 in training yesterday and this morning.
Nonu agrees it is now up to him to hassle the French, try to wreak havoc and make sure they run out of ideas.
Nonu playing in the number 12 jersey is THE story of the All Blacks team to play in the second test.
Speaking to a throng of journalists this morning, the new second five appeared a lot more comfortable than in previous visits into the media den. Nonu agrees he has matured, on and off the field, but still needs to cement his spot.
The All Blacks had a lengthy training session earlier this morning, with a lot more work for Nonu and partner Mils Muliaina in the midfield.
Richie McCaw and Graham Henry are spending time with the French soccer team this morning, a couple of hours before kick off in their match against Greece in Paris.
Meanwhile, the French can never be accused of not doing things their own way.
The national rugby team has cancelled training and also called off tomorrow's scheduled session, with the coaching staff believing less training will help them get closer to the All Blacks.
France coach Bernard Laporte has made seven changes to his starting 15 for Paris, recalling veteran hooker Raphael Ibanez to lead the team.
Ibanez,who has 81 caps, replaces Dimitri Szarzewski as hooker and takes over the captaincy from injured lock, Fabien Pelous, who has a rib injury. He led Les Blues to that memorable win over New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup semifinal.
Another change in the front row is at loosehead prop, with long time prop Sylvain Marconnet dropped to the bench with Olivier Milloud coming in.
Also promoted from the bench are lock, Lionel Nallet and flanker Remy Martin. Among the other changes are Dimitri Yachvili being axed at halfback, and replaced by Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, although Laporte is sticking with nervy first five Damien Traille.
Cedric Heymans replaces Christophe Dominici on the left wing while, at fullback, Pepito Elhorga comes in to replace Julien Laharrague.
French manager Jo Maso, who played against the All Blacks in the late 1960s, believes the new look team will front and is hoping it will invoke a new spirit and a more physical approach. Maso says the team realises it is playing for 100 years of All Blacks-France history this weekend and want to show some due respect.
The French have also revealed a new playing strip for the game, which is a white jersey, white shorts and red socks.
It is similar to the uniform used 100 years ago against the All Blacks, which was a game won by the All Blacks 38-8..
The full French squad is: 5-Pepito Elhorga, 14-Aurelien Rougerie, 13-Florian Fritz, 12-Yannick Jauzion, 11-Cedric Heymans, 10-Damien Traille, 9-Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8-Elvis Vermeulen, 7-Remy Martin, 6-Julien Bonnaire, 5-Pascal Pape, 4-Lionel Nallet, 3-Pieter de Villiers, 2-Raphael Ibanez (captain), 1-Olivier Milloud.
Replacements: 16-Dimitri Szarzewski, 17-Sylvain Marconnet, 18-Loic Jacquet, 19-Serge Betsen, 20-Dimitri Yachvili, 21-David Marty, 22-Christophe Dominici.
Ma'a Nonu more surprised than anyone over playing at second five, while the French make seven changes
Ma'a Nonu admits the call to place him at second-five this weekend against France even took him by surprise.
He says he has been busy adjusting to playing at 12 in training yesterday and this morning.
Nonu agrees it is now up to him to hassle the French, try to wreak havoc and make sure they run out of ideas.
Nonu playing in the number 12 jersey is THE story of the All Blacks team to play in the second test.
Speaking to a throng of journalists this morning, the new second five appeared a lot more comfortable than in previous visits into the media den. Nonu agrees he has matured, on and off the field, but still needs to cement his spot.
The All Blacks had a lengthy training session earlier this morning, with a lot more work for Nonu and partner Mils Muliaina in the midfield.
Richie McCaw and Graham Henry are spending time with the French soccer team this morning, a couple of hours before kick off in their match against Greece in Paris.
Meanwhile, the French can never be accused of not doing things their own way.
The national rugby team has cancelled training and also called off tomorrow's scheduled session, with the coaching staff believing less training will help them get closer to the All Blacks.
France coach Bernard Laporte has made seven changes to his starting 15 for Paris, recalling veteran hooker Raphael Ibanez to lead the team.
Ibanez,who has 81 caps, replaces Dimitri Szarzewski as hooker and takes over the captaincy from injured lock, Fabien Pelous, who has a rib injury. He led Les Blues to that memorable win over New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup semifinal.
Another change in the front row is at loosehead prop, with long time prop Sylvain Marconnet dropped to the bench with Olivier Milloud coming in.
Also promoted from the bench are lock, Lionel Nallet and flanker Remy Martin. Among the other changes are Dimitri Yachvili being axed at halfback, and replaced by Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, although Laporte is sticking with nervy first five Damien Traille.
Cedric Heymans replaces Christophe Dominici on the left wing while, at fullback, Pepito Elhorga comes in to replace Julien Laharrague.
French manager Jo Maso, who played against the All Blacks in the late 1960s, believes the new look team will front and is hoping it will invoke a new spirit and a more physical approach. Maso says the team realises it is playing for 100 years of All Blacks-France history this weekend and want to show some due respect.
The French have also revealed a new playing strip for the game, which is a white jersey, white shorts and red socks.
It is similar to the uniform used 100 years ago against the All Blacks, which was a game won by the All Blacks 38-8..
The full French squad is: 5-Pepito Elhorga, 14-Aurelien Rougerie, 13-Florian Fritz, 12-Yannick Jauzion, 11-Cedric Heymans, 10-Damien Traille, 9-Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8-Elvis Vermeulen, 7-Remy Martin, 6-Julien Bonnaire, 5-Pascal Pape, 4-Lionel Nallet, 3-Pieter de Villiers, 2-Raphael Ibanez (captain), 1-Olivier Milloud.
Replacements: 16-Dimitri Szarzewski, 17-Sylvain Marconnet, 18-Loic Jacquet, 19-Serge Betsen, 20-Dimitri Yachvili, 21-David Marty, 22-Christophe Dominici.
