Sonny Bill back to bench for All Blacks
By Chris Barclay, 19 Nov 2010 Chris Barclay is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, Graham Henry, Ireland Rugby, ll Blacks' Grand Slam rugby tour, Rugby Union, Sonny Bill Williams
The Sonny Bill Williams experiment has been placed on the back burner for the Irish leg of the All Blacks’ Grand Slam rugby tour.
Head coach Graham Henry has decided to reunite his usual midfield combination of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith for Sunday’s (4.15am AEDT) international in Dublin.
Williams, man-of-the-match in last weekend’s 49-3 thrashing of Scotland at Murrayfield, will make an impact from the bench for the first time in his short Test career.
Smith and Nonu sat out the England and Scotland victories respectively to accommodate Williams’ impressive introduction to international rugby.
His education process was an undoubted success at Twickenham and particularly at Murrayfield.
But now the 25-year-old has to adjust to life among the reserves as the Wellington and Hurricanes duo combine for the first time since the Tour-opening Bledisloe Cup loss to the Wallabies in Hong Kong.
Nonu’s promotion from the bench is one of five changes to a starting line-up which effortlessly stretched their unbeaten record against Scotland to 28 matches since their rivalry began in 1905.
In other backline alterations, Cory Jane returns from injuries sustained against Australia to replace Isaia Toeava on the right wing.
Halfback Andy Ellis starts his first Test since Italy in Milan on last year’s northern hemisphere tour, replacing Jimmy Cowan, who will spend a second Test watching from the stands after also being omitted from the 22-man squad that beat England 26-16.
In the pack, Jerome Kaino predictably returns to the blindside flank for Liam Messam, who covers the loose trio from the bench.
Lock Tom Donnelly is in the match-day squad for the first time since Hong Kong, taking the place of Sam Whitelock.
Despite being troubled by a tight hamstring, Brad Thorn has been named in the second row for what could be the dual international’s 50th Test cap.
Hika Elliot, who debuted against Scotland, has been retained as the starting hooker in what could be his last involvement, given the suspended Keven Mealamu will be available for the finale against Wales in Cardiff next weekend.
The Test is also significant for captain Richie McCaw and fullback Mils Muliaina – they both eclipse Sean Fitzpatrick’s record of 92 Test appearances.
An All Black victory will also serve as the 100th Test triumph of Graham Henry’s career coaching the Kiwis, Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
He has overseen 76 wins and 13 losses since succeeding John Mitchell in 2004.
Henry fashioned a record of 22 wins, 13 losses and a draw during his four-year tenure with Wales (1998-2002) and a 1-2 series loss to Australia when head coach of the Lions in 2001.
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November 19th 2010 @ 6:44am
CraigB said | November 19th 2010 @ 6:44am | Report comment
Surly if Lomu was at the height of his powers and available he would play? It seems odd that when the opportunity comes up to test the messiah against a world class centre in o’driscall the ab’s decide against it. Guess you gotta protect the investment in the hype at least until the rwc.
November 19th 2010 @ 7:03am
ohtani's jacket said | November 19th 2010 @ 7:03am | Report comment
It’s called sensible coaching. I suppose you wouldn’t be familiar with that given the reject in charge of your team.
November 19th 2010 @ 7:05am
Poth Ale said | November 19th 2010 @ 7:05am | Report comment
Surly? You’re right.
November 19th 2010 @ 7:09am
ohtani's jacket said | November 19th 2010 @ 7:09am | Report comment
I guess that was pretty surly.
November 19th 2010 @ 7:13am
Darwin Stubbie said | November 19th 2010 @ 7:13am | Report comment
maybe – but true all the same …
there’s no mystery or protectionism going on – this is the more likely make up of the AB’s going forward … the established duo to start – with williams coming off the bench after 60 – next year it’ll be in unison with Weepu … it’s just basic logic ..
November 19th 2010 @ 7:21am
Poth Ale said | November 19th 2010 @ 7:21am | Report comment
Agreed. He’s still on the bench isn’t he?
And when the All Blacks are losing by 15 points in the last 10 minutes, I’m sure Henry will want to bring him on…..
He said with great conviction.
November 19th 2010 @ 8:43am
CraigB said | November 19th 2010 @ 8:43am | Report comment
If they were serious about finding out how good he is they would start him. To bring him on with 30 or so to go proves nothing. He was MOM last week and deserved a start. The doubts in the coaches minds are there for all to see.
November 19th 2010 @ 9:51pm
Trevor DeAngelo said | November 19th 2010 @ 9:51pm | Report comment
No not at all – they know how good he is and how fantastic he will become. Darwin Stubbie is right – he will change a game last 20 with Weepu. NZ have often been smart about the use of impact players. Nonu is awesome, so is Smith and SBW will be.
November 19th 2010 @ 8:59am
Hoy said | November 19th 2010 @ 8:59am | Report comment
I don’t think there are doubts. I think it is more about paying your dues.
Nonu has been one of the best centres in the world, and has done nothing wrong. I don’t think anyone can doubt SBW has masive potential, but at this stage, Nonu is still no.1 12 in Un Zud. I think, until SBW beats Nonu, this will be how it is.
I am a massive fan of SBW. I think he will be fantastic.
November 19th 2010 @ 9:17am
CraigB said | November 19th 2010 @ 9:17am | Report comment
“I think it is more about paying your dues” – If this was the case then he wouldn’t be on tour at all. Seven games for Canterbury in the ITM is not enough ‘dues’
“Nonu is still no.1 12 in Un Zud. I think, until SBW beats Nonu, this will be how it is.” – except for last week though of course… When SBW was voted MOM.
November 19th 2010 @ 9:24am
Darwin Stubbie said | November 19th 2010 @ 9:24am | Report comment
you’re trying just a wee bit too hard … looks as though there’s a bit on envy there for all to see
November 19th 2010 @ 9:34am
Bayboy said | November 19th 2010 @ 9:34am | Report comment
How the hell can Ma’a even be a contender for MOM Craigb when he wasn’t even on the field.
Seriously mate your drawing a very long bow to give credit to you statement.
Nonu is tried and true and by far the better 12 at present
November 19th 2010 @ 9:36am
Hoy said | November 19th 2010 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Good on him for being MOM. If Braid played and got MOM, would you drop McCaw this week?
I think they are very smart in bringing him on slowly. I desperately can’t wait until next year to see some Super highlights of SBW.
November 19th 2010 @ 5:13pm
Geoff Brisbane said | November 19th 2010 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
Real issue is you have 2 outstanding players unlike other teams struggling to find 1.
One off the bench each week is a luxury any team would welcome
November 19th 2010 @ 9:07am
Taniwha said | November 19th 2010 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Super 14 next year is going to be the best measuring stick for SBW to date. Already looking forward to the Canes vs Crusaders clash and Nonu vs SBW.
Should be an interesting match against Ireland with a fervent crowd behind them. What’s the weather forecast?
November 19th 2010 @ 10:09am
Jiggles said | November 19th 2010 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Smart move by Henry.
SBW is clearly best at 12, however nonu has had his best season by in the black jersey.
Give SBW a taste of black, and now tell him to get onto that super rugby field and take the 12 from Nonu. The only result can be 2 12’s that are number 1 and 2 in the world in that postion, in which ever order you decide.
Very jealous of NZ’s depth at 12 which is being developed.
Mundine should have done his patriotic duty and talked SBW into becoming a wallaby!
November 19th 2010 @ 10:28am
Jamesb said | November 19th 2010 @ 10:28am | Report comment
The first sentence of this article rather puzzling if not misleading. To say SBW an experiment and one that has been put on the back burner is ludicrious!
This is just sensible coaching by Henry and quite cunning if you look a little closer. If Nonu does not perform he’s a goner next week. The pressure is really on Nonu now. I think you’ll find he reverts to his traditional role as an impact player by the time the RWC rolls on. Someone of SBW’s class must start for AB’s next year when it really counts. Ranger and Nonu as impact players is frightening.
CraigB – O’Driscall is up against the best centre in the world in Smith plus he never plays well against the AB’s. Unless the Irish forwards get on top (which won’t happen, and never does), it is very difficult for outside backs like O’Driscalll to perform.
November 19th 2010 @ 1:21pm
woodster1 said | November 19th 2010 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
the greatest point to come from this is that NZ rugby ican produce international players which is good when is the currie cup going to produce this type of player is my question….which really isnt a question but a challenge. kiwi rugby isnt going too bad.
November 19th 2010 @ 4:12pm
ohtani's jacket said | November 19th 2010 @ 4:12pm | Report comment
Well, league produced him but since we have two converts in the side NZ rugby must be doing something right in terms of coaching blokes.
November 19th 2010 @ 5:41pm
Geoff Brisbane said | November 19th 2010 @ 5:41pm | Report comment
So what about the Wallabies depth now that would be great article
November 19th 2010 @ 10:33pm
Kyo Kusanagi said | November 19th 2010 @ 10:33pm | Report comment
Woodster, the difference between the boks and the all blacks’s “talent” pools are, we have no freedom at choosing the absolute best players we have in south africa. P.Divvy are constantly under pressure at meeting the required quota criteria.
Same applies to all sports in the republic. ( no wonder south africa has so many “rejects” playing all over the world)
November 19th 2010 @ 11:50pm
woodster said | November 19th 2010 @ 11:50pm | Report comment
yes Kyo I know about that situation SA rugby is in and quite frankly it dosent make sense. I would of thought that the goal was to discourage discrimination this seems to do the opposite.
But in saying that you guys are the current world champs and have acheived it more times than the Ab with this current system.