All Blacks change for Scotland
All Blacks change for Scotland
September 19, 2007
NEW Zealand coach Graham Henry has made 12 changes to the team that routed Portugal to play Scotland in the World Cup Pool C match at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Sunday.
Only centre Conrad Smith, flanker Chris Masoe and lock Ali Williams remain from the 108-13 drubbing handed to Portugal last weekend.
The team showed four changes from the team that also hammered Italy 76-14 in the All Blacks' opener.
"We expect our toughest match of the pool against Scotland. We're looking forward to it," said Henry.
"The test is well-timed for us, coming two weeks out from the quarterfinals. If we can play well against Scotland, we can build some momentum ahead of the knock-out round."
Henry also welcomed the return of lock/loose forward Reuben Thorne, who had not so far been considered for selection because of injury.
"Reuben gets game time and we can share the work load at lock. Those are both positives for the team," Henry said.
Of New Zealand's 30-man squad, lock Keith Robinson and fullback/centre Mils Muliaina were not considered for selection due to injury.
Henry stressed that it didn't matter if Scotland, who beat Romania 42-0 on Tuesday, picked a largely second-string team for Sunday's game.
"Scotland were very efficient last night and played well in previous game", a 56-10 win over Portugal, Henry said.
"I've been very impressed. They have a good scrum, and the back three are potent. They'll play well. They're a big challenge for us."
AAP
New Zealand team:
1 Tony Woodcock
2 Anton Oliver
3 Carl Hayman
4 Reuben Thorne
5 Ali Williams
6 Chris Masoe
7 Richie McCaw (c)
8 Rodney So'oialo
9 Byron Kelleher
10 Dan Carter
11 Sitiveni Sivivatu
12 Luke McAlister
13 Conrad Smith
14 Doug Howlett
15 Leon MacDonald
16 Andrew Hore
17 Neemia Tialata
18 Chris Jack
19 Sione Lauaki
20 Brendon Leonard
21 Nick Evans
22 Isaia Toeava
Scots ready to eye-ball All Blacks
(Rugby News Service) Wednesday 19 September 2007
By Julie Clothier
From Edinburgh
EDINBURGH, 19 September - Scotland say they cannot afford to be intimidated by tournament favourites New Zealand in Edinburgh on Sunday.
Coach Frank Hadden remains tight-lipped about the team he'll name on Friday but speculation is rife he'll save his best players for the match against Italy in Saint-Etienne on 29 September.
"We have to go in looking at playing to win," centre Andrew Henderson said on Wednesday.
"We've got to go into it with a positive frame of mind.
"It's important, like every game. I'm not sure what is going to happen just yet.
"We are all ready to play, we are all keen to play. Everyone appreciates the All Blacks are the best in the world and we would all like to have a go."
Henderson, who suffered a severe dead leg against South Africa last month, is yet to play in the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup but he hoped to be selected for Sunday's showdown.
Scotland and Italy battling for top-eight spot
The All Blacks are expected to claim the No.1 spot in Pool C, with second place and a quarter-final berth turning into a battle between Scotland and Italy.
For New Zealand, flanker Reuben Thorne will start in place of Chris Jack in the second row, while Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith are the centres.
Scotland scrum half Mike Blair said New Zealand would be pose a massive challenge, no matter what players they fielded.
"I think it's not something we are too uptight about. Whatever squad they put out, it's going to be a competitive fight," Blair said.
Blair said Scotland were focused solely on the New Zealand clash, despite the crucial Italy match coming only six days later.
"We've got three games in 11 days. We have to focus on the game that's coming up," Blair said.
