Muliaina named skipper for All Blacks
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By NZPA, 1 Jun 2009 NZPA is a Roar Pro
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- Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, All Blacks, Andrew Hore, Brad Thorn, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, International Rugby, Isaac Ross, Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Ma'a Nonu, Mils Muliaina, Neemia Tialata, Piri Weepu, Richard Kahui, Rudi Wulf, Rugby Union, Stephen Donald, Tanerau Latimer, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett
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Veteran fullback Mils Muliaina has been named captain of an All Blacks rugby squad that features three new caps to face France and Italy in home Test matches next month.
Two Crusaders forwards are among the new caps — lock Isaac Ross and prop Wyatt Crocket — along with flanker Tanerau Latimer, who played for the Chiefs in their 61-17 loss to the Bulls in the Super 14 final at Pretoria on Sunday.
Muliaina, who captained the Chiefs, takes the leadership for the first time from Richie McCaw who is unavailable with a knee injury.
Captain option Rodney So’oialo hasn’t been named in the squad, with the veteran Hurricanes No.8 struggling with a neck injury and in need of rehabilitation according to coach Graham Henry.
“Rodney has had an incredibly demanding Super 14 season, starting in 13 of the Hurricanes matches this year and that follows several years of intense, top-level rugby,” Henry said.
“We are taking a proactive approach and giving him some time to recover and rehab.”
Henry said So’oialo would return to the All Blacks for the Tri-Nations series.
Players not considered due to injury include McCaw (knee), Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder), Blues lock Anthony Boric (toe), Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), Hurricanes loose forward Scott Waldrom (back) and Canterbury five-eighth Daniel Carter (Achilles).
Meanwhile, Hurricanes lock Bryn Evans and Canterbury and Crusaders prop Owen Franks have been called into the wider All Blacks training squad as lock and prop cover.
The All Blacks play France at Dunedin on June 13 and Wellington on June 20 before hosting Italy at Christchurch on June 27.
Squad: Backs: Mils Muliaina (capt), Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Ma’a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard
Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Isaac Ross, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu.
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- Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, All Blacks, Andrew Hore, Brad Thorn, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, International Rugby, Isaac Ross, Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Ma'a Nonu, Mils Muliaina, Neemia Tialata, Piri Weepu, Richard Kahui, Rudi Wulf, Rugby Union, Stephen Donald, Tanerau Latimer, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett
LeftArmSpinner said | June 1st 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Well, as an aussie, it is a strong squad, which when dosed with some AB magic dust will be formidable again this year. bring it on. The Aussies can only benefit from playing a strong AB and Boks, if the Boks are still called that!!!!!
I dont see them having a need for a Sonny Bill. Big wages, big injury time and little game time. Gasnier, Hmmm, that may be a different story. Don’t kno yet. more the better tho….
CronullaKiwi said | June 1st 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
I wouldnt say thats a strong squad, but happy enough to try some guys out. The French will really fancy themselves for the 2nd test
Even looser said | June 1st 2009 @ 5:57pm | Report comment
Muliaina as Captain – Well deserved for his time with the blacks.
Just on this point of fullback being skipper though, Wallaby fans have been thinking the Skipper should be closer to the coal face. Have there been many FB Skippers?
Jerry said | June 1st 2009 @ 6:09pm | Report comment
Gavin Hastings and Serge Blanco would be the most successful I could think of. Apparently Mils is only the second AB captain fullback (the first was back in 1913).
ohtani's jacket, said | June 1st 2009 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
JPR Williams captained Wales to the 1979 Five Nations title and a Triple Crown.
ohtani's jacket, said | June 1st 2009 @ 6:29pm | Report comment
Andy Irvine captained Scotland too.
Bring back buck said | June 3rd 2009 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
The AB’s squad is just a Graham Henry Auckland fan club. Kaino, Wulf, Afoa, Mealamu (has been a great servant but sadly time is called) and Toeava (how many chances?). Seriously how do Auckland get eight players in its a joke! Masaga or Gear either of them would have been a better choice, I’m concerned about Masaga on defence but seriously wulf…in Auckland teams they have no defenders….Graham Henry is a joke…..when he fails at the world cup NZ rugby will be hit hard and the NZRFU and the Aucklanders will be the ones to be lined up. It started with Hart, foxy and the muppets in ’91 and has been ruined ever since then, ’99 the no Hart year, 2003 was a stupid decision giving a coach with little experience the role but to not appoint him and Robbie then was stupid, they had four years to fix the problems that they had encountered and now our two best coaches gats and robbie are gone! Well done to the NZRFU and all you Aucklanders who contributed to the down fall! How fitting to see Zinny and Fitzy bagging Southern Hemisphere rugby just something else they want to ruin