All Blacks name new centres to face Boks
By AFP, 9 Sep 2009
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- Aled de Malmanche, All Blacks, All Blacks coach, Andrew Hore, Brendon Leonard, Dan Carter, Graham Henry, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu, Mils Muliaina, Richie McCaw, Rugby Union, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Springboks, Stephen Donald, Tri Nations
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Stephen Donald and Ma’a Nonu will form a new All Blacks midfield combination for their crucial Tri-Nations clash against South Africa in Hamilton on Saturday.
There had been speculation that Dan Carter, widely hailed as the world’s best five-eighth, might take over the No.12 jersey for the Test following injuries to centres Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith.
But All Blacks coach Graham Henry decided against the move in the team named Tuesday, instead picking Donald, who played in Carter’s place during the star’s lengthy injury break this year.
Henry has the option of interchanging Carter and Donald in their positions and he gave little away Tuesday, keen to keep South Africa guessing.
“We’ll just have to see how the plot works out on the day. There’s no point giving you the plot now because it will be boring on Saturday,” Henry jokingly told journalists.
“Hopefully it will come together well.”
As expected, Nonu will play outside centre in the absence of Smith, who, along with McAlister was injured in the All Blacks’ 19-18 win over the Wallabies in Sydney last month.
“I don’t think in my wildest dreams I would have partnered Ma’a Nonu in the midfield for the All Blacks. But I am and I am rapt about it,” Donald said.
“We have played a lot of rugby with me at 10 and him at 12 so I know his voice and I know what he wants to do.”
Donald and Nonu are the only changes to the starting line-up from the Sydney Test as the All Blacks attempt to overhaul South Africa in the last two matches of their Tri-Nations campaign.
They will be aiming to score four tries for a bonus point win to boost their slim title chances.
The forwards are unchanged, with Kieran Read cleared to start at number eight despite struggling for fitness recently with a knee injury.
Flanker Adam Thomson returns to the reserves bench and Isaia Toeava has been named as a backline reserve.
© AFP 2012ALL BLACKS: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Ma’a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Adam Thomson, Rodney So’oialo, Brendon Leonard, Isaia Toeava, Cory Jane.
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September 9th 2009 @ 1:59pm
Terry Kidd said | September 9th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
Oh I think Nonu will have a real go, I just think he is being thrown to the wolves a bit. Speaking of tries OJ … where do you see the minimum 4 for the bonus point coming from?
September 9th 2009 @ 10:34pm
ohtani's jacket said | September 9th 2009 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
Nowhere.
I think they’ll try to win and then pull something off against the Wallabies if possible. A bonus point in either game and a superior points diff would win the TNs provided SA don’t get a bonus point in their loss.
September 9th 2009 @ 2:44pm
BAS said | September 9th 2009 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
It will be an AB win. Not so sure about the 4 tries but a win none the less and back to No 1 – where we belong.
September 9th 2009 @ 5:13pm
Stash said | September 9th 2009 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
Nothing wrong with Nonu – ask any competing team.
Lack of options here for Henry with injuries to the backline – he would have Isea at centre if he could run for 80. And he wants to Mills at the back.
Better to put Donald out one (as opposed to Carter)- he gets an extra step and Carter manages the harder role. Boks can’t target Donald at the risk of leaving Carter alone.
Henry had to go for the guys up to speed with the calls rather than new blood – it would be a rejigged backline regardless.
September 11th 2009 @ 8:57am
Joseph said | September 11th 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
I hope Nonu wears some long sprigs for a change – he slips up more than Paul Henry!!