All Black Team to take on :wallabies:

[Thequeerone]

9 September 2008



All Blacks Announce Team to Play Australia

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have announced the team to play Australia in Brisbane on Saturday September 13 at Suncorp Stadium:

1. Tony Woodcock

2. Andrew Hore

3. Greg Somerville

4. Brad Thorn

5. Ali Willliams

6. Jerome Kaino

7. Richie McCaw (c)

8. Rodney So’oialo

9. Jimmy Cowan

10. Dan Carter

11. Sitiveni Sivivatu

12. Ma’a Nonu

13. Conrad Smith

14. Richard Kahui

15. Mils Muliaina



Reserves:



16. Keven Mealamu

17. John Afoa/ Neemia Tialata

18. Anthony Boric

19. Adam Thomson

20. Piri Weepu

21. Stephen Donald

22. Isaia Toeava

The starting XV is unchanged from the All Blacks last two Philips Tri Nations Tests.

“It’s a very competitive Philips Tri Nations series this year,” said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. “Every match has been more important than the one before it and this Test decides the Championship. So we’re trying to make sure we get our preparation exactly right.

“Australia’s last result was out-of-character and we expect a real battle,” added Henry.

A decision on the team’s reserve prop will be made on Friday as John Afoa’s recovery from a sore shoulder is monitored.

[Thequeerone]

NZ say 13 is their lucky number: Mortlock's not wearing it

Greg Growden | September 10, 2008

With the Wallabies planning to field their fourth centre combination for the season, the All Blacks believe they might be able to expose the Stirling Mortlock-Ryan Cross midfield pairing in Saturday night's Tri Nations decider.

The Kiwis did not give away too many clues yesterday when announcing their team, but the demeanour of their coaches brightened appreciably when the Australian centre pairing was mentioned.

When All Blacks coach Graham Henry was asked if the Mortlock-Cross combination could be exploited, he replied: "I hope so."

NZ say 13 is their lucky number: Mortlock's not wearing it - rugbyheaven.com.au

[robyn <3]

hmm...
i dont rate cowan. at all. i think he is hopeless! but then, i dont rate grandpa cords either.
muliaina is in form at the moment, but their DISGUUUUSTING number 14 who nearly killed an english fullback is a centre, so not too sure bout him. so'oialo has only played 6 so far in this competition i think... who is their blindside flanker now?? i dont know him.

looks like a strong team.

[BLR]

i dont rate cowan. at all. i think he is hopeless! but then, i dont rate grandpa cords either.

Cowan is New Zealands form half back atm....

[KenyaQuin]

You're a good laugh Robyn

PS. It IS a strong team.

[BLR]

PS. It IS a strong team.

So was the team in the 2003 semi final.

[robyn <3]

Cowan is New Zealands form half back atm....

i have never rated cowan. my whole family, well, just dad and me, had a cowan bashing session when the force played the highlanders! i think piri weepu is much better..

You're a good laugh Robyn

why thankyou!

.... is that a good thing?