By James Mortimer
October 29th 2008 @ 1:38am
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All Blacks looking good for ten win season
Graham Henry has named a very capable looking team for the Bledisloe Cup, with the world’s premier fly half playing out of position.
Technically Dan Carter did play at second five eighth as the inside centre position when Carlos Spencer was the priority playmaker for the All Blacks.
It is not a poor move, with many analysts for the game believing that this should have happened a year ago when Nick Evans was as qualified as Carter and the All Blacks’ brains trust could not decide on either Luke McAlister or Aaron Mauger.
Tactically, it restores a left and right kicking combination for New Zealand, and features two playmakers who embody the new hybrid of fly-halves in All Black rugby.
This does, however, cause two ‘problems’.
Ma’a Nonu, well regarded as the most physically intimidating line runner, is now starting on the bench, which is somewhat ironic considering he has just resigned with the NZRU.
But some would argue that the loss of rushing power is counteracted by a more tactical arsenal.
It also sees New Zealand’s best (or second best) player out of position, where quite simply, four more years of international development forCarter would likely increase the All Blacks ability to win the World Cup in 2011.
It is, on paper, a full strength team and, on paper, far superior to any international side that they will oppose over the next month.
The pack remains the same for the fourth consecutive match, with the exception of Neemia Tialata’s inclusion in the frontrow. Tony Woodcock and Andrew Hore deserve to be recognised as close to the best in the world in their positions.
The backrow is superb, probably the reason they won the Tri Nations and the Bledisloe with the outstanding combination of skills represented by the brutal Jerome Kaino, magical Richie McCaw and tireless Rodney So’oialo.
A whitewash on this tour would represent a ten win season, with double victories against the World Champions and the Irish, and a hat-trick of wins against World Cup runners up, England, and perennial enemies the Wallabies.
Graham Henry and Wayne Smith said the new 10/12 combination was no reflection on Nonu and didn’t see this new pairing as a long-term approach.
“These guys (Donald and Carter) haven’t played for a while - either of them,” Henry said in naming
his side to a large gathering of international rugby writers in Hong Kong.
“We thought it was important to try and have two navigators on the field because of their lack of decent rugby, we think early in the game that will be helpful.
“Dan has played at test match level at 12 and it gives us right foot and left foot flexibility.”
Henry also made special mention of Gear as he sets out to try to find a long-term incumbent for the problem right wing position.
“He has been in fine form, he’s in great shape and we want to use that in this test.”
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Nick (KIA) said | October 29th 2008 @ 7:50am | Report comment
Nice piece again James.
This move concerns me a bit. Donald is flighty in my opinion, in S14 played really well at times, at other times had a shocker. He seems to get rattled sometimes, not a great characteristic for a 10 heading on tour to NH. I don’t think he’ll be in the squad come 2011, likely another first five will overtake him in pecking order (unclear who to me at this stage, ?Brett). Having said that, he’s clearly second best available currently, and Nonu has unimpressed other than vs NH teams at the start of the season for mine. He was also outclassed by Tim Bateman in the ANZ CUp final - TB was unlucky not to travel, as the coaches have said. And Donald will be needed during this tour as they’re likely to play a different team v Scotland, Italy and maybe Munster.
Suspect we will see a few chargedowns from Donald’s kicks from G Smith.
Brett McKay said | October 29th 2008 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Can anyone tell me what happened to Stephen Brett?? It seemed to me, as the Crusaders rolled to yet another title, that their Carter-Brett 10-12 combination would just roll straight into black jumpers, but suddenly Brett dropped off the face of the earth?? Was there a breakdancing injury in there somewhere that I’ve missed??
Westy said | October 29th 2008 @ 8:21am | Report comment
By the end of the year how many tests will the All Blacks have played …..15 or 16? Playing in Hong Kong to grow the game in Asis ……….I nearly choked on my cornflakes with that one …………..all those ex pats in Hong Kong….Like the ALL Blacks Australia are there for the money. Nothing wrong with that but in Australia’s case it all depends on what we do with the money.
The other problem is not to overplay the best product we have. International tests between World Cups can lose their pulling power if they are not respected.
Nick (KIA) said | October 29th 2008 @ 8:26am | Report comment
Brett = Injured quad. Played OK in S14 (better last year), on fringe ABs selection but injured then injured again during ANZ Cup. I’m not even sure he played any games for Canterbury this year.
ohtani's jacket said | October 29th 2008 @ 10:46am | Report comment
It wasn’t that long ago that we beat the Aussies with McAlister and Macdonald splitting first five. I think we’ll be OK with the two “navigators” (who coined that?)
Carter’s biggest strength is his running game and the switch to second five gives him room to operate. He’s pretty dangerous with a bit of space. The key to the whole thing is Nonu. Nonu’s an impact player in this Test so he needs to make an impact. If that seems straightforward, it isn’t. Provided he doesn’t sub on as a wing, he really needs to punch his way through the line and find a way to either offload or pass. Nonu has a habit of running head on at people, whereas Carter only needs a glimpse of daylight to slip a tackle, but Henry has always wanted a linebreaker in the midfield not a Canterburian style player. Hopefully Nonu doesn’t pull a Lauaki.