Tri Nations: All Blacks - Wallabies @ Eden Park (06-08-2011, 08:35 GMT)

[Gavin]

Eden Park, Auckland (24-06-2011, 08:35 GMT)

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw(c) 6 Jerome Kaino , 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.



Decided to start this as news is starting to filter through abou the squads etc.


Sharpe axed from squad in favour of Vickerman

No idea what Deans is playing at here, seems he has lost his marbles; especially is Sharpe is fit to play.

 

[markshaw]

Another big score Im hoping

 

[InsaneAsylum]

wallabies HAVE TO keep the allblacks honest in this match

 

[beerholder]

It's gonna be very tight but I'll put my money on NZ this time.

 

[big ginger 8]

Who's reffing it?

 

[Larksea]

Got my tickets!

This is a huge game. I think outside some world cup knockout games this is the biggest game of the year.

likely All Black 15

1, Crockett
2, Mealamu
3, Owen Franks
4, Brad Thorn
5, Ali Williams
6, Jerome Kaino
7, McCaw
8, Kieran Read
9, Piri Weepu
10, Dan Carter
11, Hosea Gear
12, Ma'a Nonu
13, Conrad Smith
14, Sivivatu
15, Mills

For the All Blacks a lot will depnd on how the guys who are back slot in and how Sivivatu ges at 14 - I still remember 2008 when Sivivatu ran at 14 and he just wasn't himself - and he's in a critical position marking Digby. If I were selecting the All Blacks I would put my best defending wing in 14 to deal with the Genia/Digby threat.

I also think this is a HUGE test for Hosea Gear. I don't believe he's performed well in a test match against AUS or SA yet and if he doesn't this weekend he may find himself as one of the 3 wing/fullbacks that get cut.

 

[Rhyer]

I believe Sivivatu is injured. Don't be surprised to see Jane back on that right wing, they'll want to give him plenty of opportunities to see if he really is back or last week was just a fluke.

Sharpe is just being rested as well as Giteau, they've played a lot of rugby this year and I reckon Deans is just resting them as they are older than most of the squad who can recover faster. Robbies Deans is the All Blacks secret weapon for this world cup.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Jane and Gear, if both fire then its all on!

edit: never mind me, team has been named now

 

[Amobokoboko]

Go NZ. Big big game

 

[Darwin]

Who's reffing it?

I haven't seen it confirmed, but it is meant to be Craig Joubert. Hopefully it is, as I really rate him as a ref. He tends to referee the scrums well, and communicates well with the players, which generally results in the free flowing game.

Huge game for both teams. The AB's haven't lost to Australia at Eden Park for 25 years; they will want to keep this going, as there is a chance they could be playing Australia at Eden Park later in the year in an even more important match!

I was very surprised that Nathan Sharpe didn't make 24-man touring squad, though perhaps it is a case of giving Timani/Vickermann as much time as possible to see whether they are up to this level (well still up to this level in the case of Vickermann).

The AB's will again want to show improvement this week, though the likes of Owen Franks, Kevin Mealamu, Brad Thorn, Keiran Read, and Hosea Gear haven't played for weeks so may be a bit rusty. As mentioned above, initially it looked like Sivivatu would start on the wing, but he re-injured his knee in training, with Cory Jane expected to take his place if he is not fit. I'm not surprised that they look like they will continue to persist with Ali Williams, but he is certainly going to have to start showing some improved form soon. I'd say his RWC spot is basically secured, but assuming Anthony Boric gets back to full fitness, Williams wouldn't be in the match-day 22 if I was picking the team. It will be good to see Weepu get a good 60 mins, and I'd imagine Andy Ellis will probably be on the bench. Again he wings will hold a lot of interest - Hosea Gear will be under a lot of pressure to perform straight away (given the performance of all the wings so far) while which ever one of Sivivatu or Jane starts will likewise be under pressure to continue their impressive form.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Hansen said today that everyone bar Afoa was fit to play, which seems a bit odd - I think he mentioned Sivi especially, so I think he may still be starting on that wing.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Got my tickets!

This is a huge game. I think outside some world cup knockout games this is the biggest game of the year.

likely All Black 15

1, Crockett
2, Mealamu
3, Owen Franks
4, Brad Thorn
5, Ali Williams
6, Jerome Kaino
7, McCaw
8, Kieran Read
9, Piri Weepu
10, Dan Carter
11, Hosea Gear
12, Ma'a Nonu
13, Conrad Smith
14, Sivivatu
15, Mills

For the All Blacks a lot will depnd on how the guys who are back slot in and how Sivivatu ges at 14 - I still remember 2008 when Sivivatu ran at 14 and he just wasn't himself - and he's in a critical position marking Digby. If I were selecting the All Blacks I would put my best defending wing in 14 to deal with the Genia/Digby threat.

I also think this is a HUGE test for Hosea Gear. I don't believe he's performed well in a test match against AUS or SA yet and if he doesn't this weekend he may find himself as one of the 3 wing/fullbacks that get cut.

Hope like hell Sivi isn't playing. Jane is far better on defence which like you say will be important up against Ioane. Can imagine Genia peppering Sivi with box kicks if he is playing.

 

[Co2en5]

should be a great game

I'm sure the Wallabies will be pumped for their first Raeburn Cup defence

also, it will be good to prove to the All-Blacks that we can beat them at Eden Park

 

[WhoDaresWin]

Should be a cracker of a game.... would have prefered Sivivatu to start, but Gear and Jane aint so bad.

 

[markshaw]

Team Named


All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu has made a remarkable recovery from a knee problem to slot into the All Black side to meet the Wallabies in their Bledisloe Cup clash on Saturday.
Sivivatu limped out of training after a few minutes earlier in the week but has been chosen on an unfamiliar right flank where he will be asked to mark the hot stepping Digby Ioane.
It should be some duel if Sivivatu recaptures some of the sizzle, adventure and workrate he showed in 50 minutes when he was a surprise choice for the match against Fiji at Carisbrook.
The All Blacks have made seven changes from their opening Tri-Nations combination which smacked the Springboks 40-7 at the Cake Tin.
Sivivatu and left wing Hosea Gear are joined in the backs by Piri Weepu while Crusader forwards Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and Owen Franks are new picks alongside Blues skipper Keven Mealamu.
"Introducing these players has not been a problem," assistant coach Steve Hansen said.
"They have been with us for the last few weeks, they have done their homework, they have been at training."
Those changes have increased the side's total test caps by 110 to 766 with the Wallabies putting out a likely side with 390 caps between them.
The All Black changes, except for Sivivatu, were expected because the senior forwards had been on light duties to recharge after the Super 15, Weepu needs to begin a match and Gear and Sivivatu are being evaluated after injury.
Hansen accepted the Wallabies would like to play an up tempo game and that would test the lungs of some of those returning. "But we had to do what was right for the future of the players so they were in nick for the World Cup," he said.
Once the Eden Park test is completed and players have undergone medical tests, the selectors would trim their squad down to the 26 players permitted to travel for the August 20 test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth and the return test with the Wallabies in Brisbane a week later.
"Some top players who are due for a breather will be left behind," said Hansen.
Halfback Andy Ellis has not played yet and has been picked on the bench this week while the rest of the extended 34-strong squad, have either had some time against Fiji and the Springboks or are not fully recovered from their injuries to be fit for test rugby.
Utility fullback-wings Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava, midfielder Richard Kahui and prop Tony Woodcock make up that group. Woodcock and Toeava have played some ITM Cup rugby and Dagg is expected to play some club rugby this weekend.
Meanwhile, team doctor Deb Robinson said prop John Afoa saw a specialist yesterday to further assess the cheekbone he fractured in last week's test against the Boks.
He had made good progress. However, the swelling in his face has not gone down completely so he will be reviewed again early next week.
"At this stage, he doesn't require surgery, he will be allowed to resume non-contact training when he is comfortable and a date on when he can return to play is yet to be confirmed."
Earlier Hansen suggested Afoa's return to rugby might be anything from two to six weeks.

-NZHERALD

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think the team with JO'C will win.

 

[Rhyer]

Disappointing that Sivivatu is in, I think he is so far past his best and people commenting about his super game against Fiji... What? Not what I saw. Hopefully he can play his way out of the World Cup now as I'd really love to see Jane, Gear, Mils, Toeava, Dagg and Guildford against France. I reckon Toeava will take Kahui's place, then they'll drop Sivivatu and Ben Smith.

 

[big ginger 8]

Interesting match want Aus to win but they're definately outsiders. Beale needs to play a lot better than the last match.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie All Blacks-Wallabies

vBookie Added. Enjoy guys!!! Have some fun betting!

 

[Darwin]

Disappointing that Sivivatu is in, I think he is so far past his best and people commenting about his super game against Fiji... What? Not what I saw. Hopefully he can play his way out of the World Cup now as I'd really love to see Jane, Gear, Mils, Toeava, Dagg and Guildford against France. I reckon Toeava will take Kahui's place, then they'll drop Sivivatu and Ben Smith.

Sivivatu has a superb game against Fiji (Graham Henry suggested he was the best player on the park in the first half, which I agree with). If he can continue that sort of form I'd be happy to have him in the RWC squad, as he's a proven match-winner in international rugby. However I do worry a lot about his 'passive' defense - he often puts himself in great positions to make tackles, but seemed to fall off a large percentage of them during the Super Rugby season. The fact that he can't seem to go through a week without getting injured worries me too...

ALL BLACKS team: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.

I'm still don't like SBW on the bench, but I suppose they need to give him gametime, and the 'utility' backs (Toeava, Kahui) are still recovering from injury (maybe they should have given Ben Smith another go )