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Sonny Bill Williams misses out on bench spot for All Blacks against Wallabies
Richard Knowler
October 28, 2010 - 2:27PM
New Zealand coach Graham Henry left Sonny Bill Williams out of his All Blacks team because he was reluctant to toss him into the "deep end" of Test rugby.
Former rugby league star Williams has been left out of the 22-man team named to face the Wallabies at Hong Kong Stadium, with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith named in the centres and Isaia Toeava listed in the reserves as cover.
Although Toeava has only had several outings since coming back from a hip injury that has prevented him from playing since May, Henry said his experience and ability to cover a number of backline positions earned him a call-up ahead of Williams.
"We didn't want to fire Sonny Bill into the deep end," Henry said. "We think he needs a bit of time to get accustomed to what we are trying to do out there and I think he needs clarity of what this All Blacks team are trying to do.
"It would have been a big ask to throw him out there in a big Test match like this without having time to get his feet under the table."
Williams, 25, is guaranteed to make his All Blacks debut at some point of the northern tour, although that opportunity may not come until the Test against Scotland in a fortnight.
It is likely the All Blacks coaches will not want to overwhelm their star signing by putting him into a position where his confidence is dented and they will also be aware Williams will take time to absorb a mountain of information.
"It takes a wee bit of a while to get clarity on what the team is trying to do," Henry added.
"You need to understand the game plan, the team culture and what we are trying to do out there. And that is natural. It is just going to take time."
Injuries and form fluctuations have ensured Henry has named the same All Blacks starting XV as the one that walloped the Aussies 49-28 in Melbourne on July 31.
Henry has made four changes to the side that squeaked home 23-22 against the Wallabies in Sydney on September 11, with Joe Rokocoko returning to the left wing, Dan Carter back in the playmaker's role, Jimmy Cowan at halfback and Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker.
Rokocoko replaces the injured Israel Dagg, Carter is back in place of the dumped Aaron Cruden, Cowan fills in for the wounded Piri Weepu and Kaino returns to his regular gig with Victor Vito not required to tour.
On Tri-Nations form, this side could arguably be voted as the most powerful head coach Henry can name from his fit troops as he seeks to compound the Wallabies' misery and inflict an 11th consecutive defeat on his trans-Tasman opponents.
If hooker Keven Mealamu is substituted it will result in Hika Elliot making his Test debut.
Elliot's sole appearance for the All Blacks was against Munster in 2008 - the same year reserve hooker Daniel Braid last played international rugby.
Braid, who made one appearance that season, looked to have ended his All Blacks chances when he signed to play in Wales. However, an injury resulted in that contract being torn up and he instead linked with the Queensland Reds.
Impressive displays with the Reds this year have resulted in him earning a recall to the test arena.
Both captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will mark this match with their 90th caps - two short of Sean Fitzpatrick's milestone. It will also be their 70th Test together.
Carter will play his 75th and Tony Woodcock his 70th.
New Zealand:
1 Tony Woodcock
2 Keven Mealamu
3 Owen Franks
4 Brad Thorn
5 Tom Donnelly
6 Jerome Kaino
7 Richie McCaw (C)
8 Kieran Read
9 Jimmy Cowan
10 Daniel Carter
11 Josevata Rokocoko
12 Ma'a Nonu
13 Conrad Smith
14 Cory Jane
15 Mils Muliaina
16 Hikawera Elliot
17 John Afoa
18 Samuel Whitelock
19 Daniel Braid
20 Alby Mathewson
21 Stephen Donald
22 Isaia Toeava
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Originally Posted by welshrugbyfan
