New Zealand v England

[ChiefsFan]

The teams for the game have both recently been announced.

New Zealand

1. Neemia Tialata
2. Andrew Hore
3. Greg Somerville
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Willliams
6. Adam Thomson
7. Richie McCaw ©
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Rudi Wulf
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Richard Kahui
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
15. Leon MacDonald

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina


England

15 - Mathew Tait
14 - Topsy Ojo
13 - Mike Tindall
12 - Jamie Noon
11 - Tom Varndell
10 - Toby Flood
9 - Danny Care
8 - Luke Narraway
7 - Tom Rees
6 - James Haskell
5 - Steve Borthwick ©
4 - Tom Palmer
3 - Matt Stevens
2 - Lee Mears
1 - Tim Payne

Reserves: David Paice, Jason Hobson, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Pete Richards, Olly Barkley, David Strettle.

Looks like Henry is trying to give all his players a run before the Tri Nations begins. Most of the chanes to the English team were predictable. I am suprised to see Wigglesworth out, I though he played alright. I imagine the ABs will win this by 25 points or so.

 

[Ripper]

How the f*** is Rudi Wulf an All Black? Good to see Kauhi get a run, shame Lauaki hasn't been given the flick, although hopefully a strong run by Thompson and Kainos solid perfromances in the first 2 tests will mean he gets the flick for the Tri Nations.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Gee here we go again...rotation rotation rotation!



When are we gonna have our best team on so we can start thrashing everybody?!

 

[InsaneAsylum]

i hope donald gets some more time on the grass. i know you blokes don't think much of him, but the truth is that if carter gets injured then who assumes the position... whether it's macdonald or donald who knows but neither have (lots of) experience in that position at that level.

henry should start donald, and if **** hits the fan take him off and put carter on.

 

[Maccaweeny]

Is Rudi Wulf in the 7's team, or am I thinking of someone else?

 

[ChiefsFan]

As much as I like Donald, if carter gets injured I'd imagine Henry would almost certainly bring in Evans and have him start, just because he's a proven talent at International Level.

I think it's unfair to call Rotation. Neither Wulf or Kahui have played yet so they to some time before the 'real' tests begin to play at test level. Some of the other players also need a start before the T Nations. Rotation won't come in to the picture for another few weeks as until everyone has played you can't really judge how everyone will go. Lots of players have been retained ie. Tialata, Hore, Sivivatu. It's not like he change the whole team.

 

[candybum]

It'll be good to see Wulf against some speedsters ay. Congrats to him for coming back after his neck injury.

Am eagerly waiting to see what Kahui can offer after 2 pretty good center performances by Smith

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Glad to see Care, Flood and Tait coming in amongst the backs. Slightly concerned that we seem to have created a brick wall in the centre positions, but at least there won't be a whole lot going through that channel this time around.

Quite annoyed to see Mears retain his place, especially seeing as Hartley hasn't even been given a run in the 22. The lad is the future England hooker, the sooner we get him in the side the better. He'd have provided some much needed needle up front, as well some great hands and creative touches. Also think Kennedy should have been given a chance to show what he can do.

 

[SH*Rugby]

I don't think you'll see Nick Evans in an All Black jersey again, he's gone and it's a real shame.
The team for this weekend is alot weaker than last week, Smith is the number one centre in the country in my opinion and Nonu has gone along way to making number 12 his own. I think we'll win well again though, our tries last week were well constructed and England had no answer, both of theirs were opportunistic (sp?) due to some sloppy play by the AB's, fair enough. It won't happen again this week.
Looking forward to it, got my tickets, just hoping it's a clear night with no wind.

 

[gingergenius]

OK WHAT!!!!

I'm delighted that Tait's in the team.

But Noon AND Tindall in the centres??!!! :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy:

Well at least that's probably the quickest back 3 England have ever fielded.

Basically, that's a team with a very solid midfield defence. And a very dubious outside defence. Wulf and Sivivatu will be looking forward to it I think...

 

[Dmx#1]

Well Im glad Rodney is back to his original position.

 

[Ho3n3r]

I thk this tri nations will be the best since its inception in 96. All 3 teams are strong... But I do think you All Blacks will have the edge again... I mean, Compare Chavanga/Sivivatu, James/Carter, Mtawarira/Somerville... All we got going 4 us is our guts...

 

[I Bleed Black]

The one thing I find amazing out of last three years is that not one English Back has been able to truely pin down a starting spot or become a specialised player in the international team.

I realise this is pretty generalised, but do you see where Im coming from?? Is this down to players performances, or they way they are managed?

I mean we are the product of so much rotation and trial, and yet almost each of our players is a specialist in one number (but can cover another) and we have a pretty good idea of our best team, although Henry does change the team (understandably) to ensure we have a good squad.

I also understand that injuries have played a large part, But I would have thought the Tindalls, Noons, Taits, Barkleys and Floods, would have either nailed a spot or would be gone. How many years do they need??

 

[Bullitt]

Well, I can have a lay in on Saturday. What a shitty England lineup.

 

[danny]

Why drop Barkley, he didnt play that well last week but he is by far our best inside centre. Borthwick and Mears should have gone but what ever team is picked it is gonna be a loss. I think we should have a four or five year plan in place and pick a team that will grow and develop together. Obviously someone completely out of form will have to be dropped but we need more consistency in selection. Players need to be given a chance of a run of games, but they must be the right players.

 

[Bullitt]

Wasn't it a "4-5 year plan" they set about 4-5 years ago?

 

[fcukernaut]

To the English supporters: what would be your ideal backline, regardless of injuries and non-selections to the team?

 

[danny]

Wasn't it a "4-5 year plan" they set about 4-5 years ago?
[/b]

Well it certainly wasnt carried out. Everthing to do with the England set up has been a shambles within that time.

To the English supporters: what would be your ideal backline, regardless of injuries and non-selections to the team?
[/b]

Mine would be :
9 Care
10 Cipriani
11 Simpson- Daniel
12 Barkley
13 Tindall
14 Sackey
15 Tait(select him and give him a good run of games)

 

[Bullitt]

Tait, Barkley, Sackey and Tindall? ROFL... Are you really Rob Andrew?

9. Care
10. Cipriani
11. Simpson-Daniel
12. Geherety / Flood / Allen
13. Hipkiss
14. Ashton
15. Anyone but Balshaw

 

[danny]

Tait, Barkley, Sackey and Tindall? ROFL... Are you really Rob Andrew?

9. Care
10. Cipriani
11. Simpson-Daniel
12. Geherety / Flood / Allen
13. Hipkiss
14. Ashton
15. Anyone but Balshaw
[/b]

Ha Ha! Gereghty is a good call, Flood and Allen arnt quite up to it yet physically. Hipkiss plays with his head up his ass most of the time. Dont know much about Ashton, may do next year. Plus you have to name a fullback. Perhaps these last two posts have summed up Englands problems.