All Blacks make two changes for Boks
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The All Blacks today announced two changes to their winning side to take on the Springboks in Carisbrook Stadium on Saturday. John Afoa and Anthony Boric have been added to the forwards replacing suspended Brad Thorn and Greg Somerville who has been left out of the 22 man squad.
John Afoa is returning from injury and will replace Somerville at tighthead prop. Kevin O’Neill has been added to the bench to replace Anthony Boric who has come into the starting lineup for Thorn to make his debut in the starting lineup.
The New Zealand All Blacks team is;
Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Kevin O’Neill, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.
Carter joins Perpignan
Dan Carter, the star All Black has signed with Perpignan. In what is a bit of a surprise Perpignan have come out with his signature against both Toulon and Toulouse who were more fancied. Carter only signed on a six month contract and will take his place at the end of the All Blacks European tour in November. It is expected Dan Carter will be back for in June 2009 just in time to re-cement his position for the All Blacks ahead of the 2009 Tri-Nations series.
What perhaps played a part in his decision was the qualification of Perpignan for the European Rugby championship next season. This could be a one off opportunity for Dan Carter to cap of what has been a stellar career to date and help him satisfy some of the remaining desires he has in the game. No doubt the top of that list will be All Blacks success in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand vs England Preview
New Zealand will line up against a revamped English side tomorrow in Auckland in what should be an entertaining match. England will be desperate to show no weakness against the All Blacks and need to impress early in the contest to stand any chance of winning.
England made six changes, five of which were in the backline as coach Rob Andrew looks for answers following the lame performance from his backline last week in the 37-20 loss. The English forward pack who were touched up last week will be up against it again this week, especially without their star Andy Sheridan. I expect we will see a tough and combative match once again and the English backrow who were a shinning light in last week’s performance will do their level best at the breakdown to keep the English in the match.
New Zealand on the other hand have made several changes but not through form but more a rotational basis. The All Blacks were solid last week without being outstanding and will be looking for improvements around the field. The focus this week will be on ensuring a better lineout after the New Zealand team were ineffectual last week. The New Zealand team have far too much firepower and experience for the English to beat them at home. Nonu who delivered one of his best performances for the All Blacks last week can be expected to shine again as he is laying claim to one of the best players in the game. Carter has been in red hot form this year and if given any space will capitalise.
New Zealand by 12 in what will be a tougher and more spirited effort from England than last week. The teams are;
New Zealand
Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
England
Mathew Tait, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Jamie Noon, Tom Varndell, Toby Flood, Danny Care, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick, Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Tim Payne.
Reserves: David Paice, Jason Hobson, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Pete Richards, Olly Barkley, David Strettle.
All Blacks Team Announcement for English Test
Graham Henry has made two selection changes and several positional changes from the side that easily defeated England 37-20 last week. Richard Kahui and Rudi Wulf will make their debuts against England in Saturday, replacing Conrad Smith and Anthony Tuitavake respectively.
Leon McDonald replaced Mils Muliaina at fullback, Muliaina drops back to the bench which Sitiveni Sivivatu has swapped from the left to right wing. Adam Thompson has also been moved into the blindside flanker role allowing Rodney So’oialo to drop back to his favoured No. 8 role.
The All Blacks will be keen to cement a clear 2-0 victory over the English side in what have developed into quite heated build up to the second test on Saturday with a strong war of words between the two coaches with England putting pressure on the tactics of Richie McCaw at the breakdown during the first test victory to the All Blacks.
The New Zealand All Blacks team is;
Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
New Zealand 37 England 20
New Zealand were too good tonight against a spirited but out-classed English side that could not match the All Blacks at key stages of the game.
Topsy Ojo played well on debut for England scoring two tries, one of a kick from scrum half Danny Care. New Zealand were too good across the park and led 23-13 at half time after a solid first half. The All Blacks quickly gave themselves some distance in the second half with two converted tries before England ended the scoring for the game with a try to Ojo.
Dan Carter once again had a solid match with a try, 3 penalties and converting all 4 tries. England will hope to be more competitive in the next test against the All Blacks but were a little flattered by the score as the All Blacks took their foot of the peddle at times.
New Zealand 37
Tries: Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu
Goals: Carter 3 penalties, 4 conversions
England 20
Tries: Topsy Ojo 2
Goals: Olly Barkley 2 penalties, 2 conversions
Daniel Carter re-signs with NZRU till 2011
Daniel Carter has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) until the end of 2011 in what is a strong sign that he is keen to play a major role in the next World Cup.
The announcement comes several days after the All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw also re-signed with the All Blacks. The NZRU will be pleased to know they have secured perhaps the two major stars in the All Blacks and will no doubt provide a positive lead for other major names to also follow suit.
In what is a growing trend for the major southern hemisphere nations of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia it is reported that Carter’s contract includes a clause for a six month sabbatical in the northern hemisphere but ensures Carter will be available for New Zealand Rugby well before the next World Cup campaign. Carter has not made a decision upon regarding his future regarding who he may play for but it is likely he will sign with the French team Toulon who has recently been promoted to the top flight. Toulon invested wisely in their playing stock last year securing George Gregan and Tana Umaga who provided the experience and ability to get the promoted. Carter is reportedly also looking at another club but his connection to former All Black Captain Umaga certainly provides a strong advantage to Toulon in gaining his signature.
All Blacks team to play England
The New Zealand All Blacks have named a star studded team for their match against England this weekend. Graham Henry announced that he is fielding the best side he has available to him at the moment. One change from the previous test to Ireland was made due to the medial ligament injury to John Afoa, Greg Somerville comes into the side at tighthead prop.
The full All Black team is;
Mil Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, captain, Rodney So’oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorne, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.
Richie McCaw to stay with All Blacks
In what is excellent news for the All Blacks Richie McCaw has committed to the all All Blacks until 2011 in what is a strong sign of his commitment to the national side after a disappointing 2007 World Cup campaign.
The All Blacks have experienced many departures in recent months not the least being Jerry Collins, Carl Hayman, Reuben Thorne, Rico Gear and Doug Howlett. The re-signing of McCaw could not have come at a better time when it is frequently being discussed that Dan Carter may also link with a European side in what would make him the highest paid rugby star.
Is it just the money or the challenge of playing in the tough European competition, do you have an opinion? If so, share your opinion in the comments.
All Blacks Squad Announced
The All Blacks have announced their squad for the opening tests of the International Rugby season. Six new players have joined the squad as Graham Henry continues to rebuild his team after the recent exit of a number of major All Black stars.
The loss of Reuben Thorne, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Doug Howlett and the sudden exit of Jerry Collins from the international arena will be a challenge for Henry to manage. But the continual success and strong performance of the Kiwi sides in the Super 14 and particularly the success of the Crusaders in the recent Super 14 final over the NSW Waratahs show that while some stars exit the game New Zealand rugby has many more coming through the ranks.
The full squad is;
John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Andy Ellis, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Richie McCaw, Leon MacDonald, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Greg Somerville, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Tuitavake, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.