Cruden to start Test after Carter injury
Second Test matchwinner Dan Carter will miss the final Test against Ireland after injuring a hamstring in training.
Carter’s replacement by Chiefs playmaker Aaron Cruden is one of six changes to the All Blacks team for Saturday’s Test in Hamilton, which also sees a debut for Crusaders lock Luke Romano and a recall for Chiefs flanker Liam Messam.
Carter’s field goal with a minute remaining secured a 22-19 victory over Ireland in Christchurch last weekend but it will be his final act of the series after he hurt his hamstring in training on Tuesday.
“He will undergo further assessment over the next few days to determine when he will be fit to return to rugby,” All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said.
Carter’s absence will no doubt give Ireland more confidence in their quest for a first victory over the All Blacks after 108 years but Cruden filled in well for Carter at the World Cup and has been in good form for the Chiefs.
Messam’s recall came following concussion suffered by No.8 Kieran Read in the second Test.
The loose forward trio has been reshuffled as a result, with Richie McCaw shifting to No.8, Sam Cane starting at openside flanker and last week’s starting blindside flanker Adam Thomson moving to the bench.
Romano is included at the expense of Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick, who moves to the bench.
The other changes see wingers Julian Savea and Zac Guildford replaced by Hosea Gear and Ben Smith, with Tamati Ellison added to the bench as an outside back cover.
Hooker Keven Mealamu returns from injury to the bench, while Hurricanes five-eighth Beauden Barrett could make his Test debut after being selected as a substitute.
Hansen said the narrow victory over Ireland had been a tough, high-pressured match and the All Blacks would need similar composure and character to prevail again.
“They have laid down a challenge and the key will be now how we respond.”
© AAP 2013All Blacks team to play Ireland: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Tamati Ellison.
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The Crowd Says (56) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Aaron Cruden, All Blacks, Dan Carter, Ireland Rugby
June 22nd 2012 @ 5:50am
Quince said | June 22nd 2012 @ 5:50am | Report comment
Cruden’s a damn good gap runner, fast and mercurial. He’ll give Ireland a different kind of problem. Sure, they had to police DC, but DC doesn’t run that much in tests. Cruden will make the breaks for SBW and the ABs will have great go-forward. Cane and Messam will perform, the big question is how will McCaw go at 8?. Earls back at wing will be a danger. ABs by 15.
June 22nd 2012 @ 7:05am
z1000 said | June 22nd 2012 @ 7:05am | Report comment
I’m glad top see Gear, Smith & Ellison getting a shot. I’m still not convinced about Savea. He’s let three high balls bounce in his last three games. Those kinds of mistakes will be punished by the Boks & Wallabies.
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:13am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Must admit I’d quite like to see a Dagg – Jane – B. Smith back 3 for the RC. Would be rock solid on kick defence and plenty of attacking nous despite a lack of real X-factor…
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:23am
z1000 said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:23am | Report comment
Throw Andre Taylor in there as well.
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:25am
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:25am | Report comment
Who was the worst All Black 10 of all time?
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:31am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:31am | Report comment
Since I’ve been watching (about 25 years) … Simon Mannix.
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:33am
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Brian McKechnie, Lee Stensness or did he just play centre?
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:37am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:37am | Report comment
That’s a bit harsh on McKechnie – he did some good things (wasn’t he a fullback? Before my time…). I don’t think Stensness ever played 10 for the ABs, although he started his career for Manawatu there…
Marc Ellis had a run at 10 in ’93 – that didn’t go too well…
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:40am
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:40am | Report comment
Might be right but the best thing he ever did for New Zealand was toss the bat after the under-arm ball. That action showed everything that needed to be said but thats cricket. I recall his game against the Wallabies in 1978 at Eden Park wasn’t crash hot.
Yeh Mark Ellis better centre, Simon Culhane perhaps?
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:53am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Culhane was a journeyman who spent most of his career behind Mehrtens – I don’t think he beats Mannix. Mannix was the designated heir to Grant Fox following the failed Ellis experiment. His test debut against France in Christchurch in 1994 was an absolute shocker (ABs went down 22-8) and he was promptly dropped and replaced by Steve Bachop (who was responsible for THAT kick that led to THAT try in the 2nd test). Mannix never got near a black jersey again, though he went on to have a very successful professional career in England…
June 22nd 2012 @ 9:07am
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Steve Bachop, didnt he play for Samoa?
June 22nd 2012 @ 9:20am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 9:20am | Report comment
He did, in the 1991 RWC. Switched to NZ in 1994, then Mehrtens emerged in 1995 and Spencer in 1996. Bachop switched back to Samoa in 1998.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:35pm
atlas said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
simon culhane?
a legend – RWC 1995 he kicked twenty conversions in one match v Japan, plus a try. that 45 points was a record at the time. Same match Marc Ellis scored six tries. Score 145-17.
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:23pm
Sylvester said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:23pm | Report comment
Culhane was also the first five when the All Blacks won their historic series in SA in ’96. Mehrts was injured in the first test if I recall.
June 22nd 2012 @ 10:46am
atlas said | June 22nd 2012 @ 10:46am | Report comment
I didn’t remember McKechnie as anything other than fullback, but was wrong there, in his 10 tests played six at full back plus made three starts at 10, and once on in 10 as a reserve.
Outside Mannix, at second-five eighth we could have another Wellington player – Paul Steinmetz – he was on the field only once in Black – the final 2 minutes v Wales 2002; can’t confirm, but rumoured never to have touched the ball that day.
June 22nd 2012 @ 11:07am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Round out the backline with Regan King at centre, Sosene Anesi and Norman Berryman on the wings, and Ben Atiga at fullback!
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:06pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
Half back?
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:13pm
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Kevin Senio
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:27pm
atlas said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
halfback? Ofisa Tonu’u; 5 tests 97-8. Wellington-born, but was another one who’d played for Samoa but eligibility rules not so strict then. Runners up, Rhys Duggan – less than 30 min v Italy in 99 RWC, Danny Lee 2 tests 2002.
justsaying mentioned Ben Atiga – I have family in Edinburgh, and many a chuckle a few months back over BBC etc headlines ‘Edinburgh sign ex All Black’. Another one who may never have touched the ball in Black he came on as a sub in 75th minute v Tonga.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:14pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
Who TF is Kevin Senio?
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:16pm
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
exactly.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:18pm
Jerry said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Former Auckland & Canterbury halfback. Was poached by Canterbury after playing a couple of tests, but they sat him on the bench for a young Andy Ellis and he promptly buggered off.
Jason Hewett is the correct answer however, got an armchair ride into the AB’s by playing behind an Auckland pack with a couple of Whettons, a couple of Brooke’s, a Jones and a Fitzpatrick etc….
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:22pm
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Ooh good call. Can’t argue…
June 22nd 2012 @ 2:45pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 22nd 2012 @ 2:45pm | Report comment
Again, the modern era is well covered.
Going further back, there aren’t too many obvious candidates. The All Blacks usually had good halfbacks. Even the ones who only briefly came and went (Roger Urbahn of Taranaki, three Tests against the Lions in 1959) could play a bit. His great rival, Kevin Briscoe, came from the same province.
All through the 1960s you had Briscoe, Australian’s own Des Connor and Chris Laidlaw, and that was before Sid Going came on the scene. Quality.
What about a really cruel exercise? Who was the worst All Black in any position, ever?
I’ll make an early call for Kit Fawcett, with Eric Anderson and Dennis Cameron not far away.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:18pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Seriously?
….Thanks Jerry!
Do blokes remember Scott Bowen who played for us in the mid 1990′s – HOAX
Nathan Spooner – HOAX
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:41pm
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Forward pack:
1. Clarke Dermody
2. Derren Witcombe
3. Saimone Taumoepeau
4. Dion Waller
5. Bryn Evans
6. Liam Barry
7. Craig Newby
8. Isitolo Maka
June 23rd 2012 @ 3:38am
Ben S said | June 23rd 2012 @ 3:38am | Report comment
Tbf, Dermody and Newby were good Super players who were given a crack when there was a temporary gap to fill. I’m sure there’s been worse. Hard to say re: Witcombe as his career was cut short. Taumoepeau was a flop, but I recall Henry saying he had promise, was very strong physically, and deserved a shot. If a player like Dermody is getting a call then surely Jamie Mackintosh must be up there with Wyatt Crockett as an all time shocker? I also seem to recall Bryn Evans getting a call because Henry said he was very good at core duties (better than Thrush at them, I think?) re: the restart and lineout. Was he one of the worst locks? Possibly not. Not great, but in so many years there must have been worse. I certainly recall some very mediocre All Blacks (uncapped too) over the years.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:48pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
Dion Waller – when did he play? and who did he play for? What about the rest of them?
June 22nd 2012 @ 2:35pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 22nd 2012 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
How quickly we forget _ and it’s not just because our memories are shot.
Clarke Dermody, a prop, of Southland and the Highlanders, played three Tests in 2006.
Derren Witcombe, a hooker, of Auckland and the Blues (but born in Hobart), played five Tests, all in 2005. To be fair, he suffered two serious neck injuries that blighted his career.
Simone Taumoepeau, a prop, of Auckland and the Blues, played three Tests, in 2004 and 2005.
Dion Waller, a lock, of Wellington and the Hurricanes, got one Test, in 2001.
Bryn Evans, another lock, of Hawke’s Bay and the Hurricanes, appeared in both Tests against France in 2009, for a total of 22 minutes playing time.
Liam Barry, of North Harbour (Super rugby not around in his day), played on the side of the scrum in one Test, against France in 1993. His father, Kevin, and grandfather, Ned, also played for the All Blacks. I can’t think of any other instance in which three generations of one family have played international rugby.
Craig Newby, a flanker/breakaway, of North Harbour, Otago and the Highlanders, played two Tests in 2004 and one in 2006.
Isitolo Maka, a No 8, of Otago and the Highlanders, played four Tests in 1998.
June 22nd 2012 @ 9:40am
peterlala said | June 22nd 2012 @ 9:40am | Report comment
Quince, I agree the big question is McCaw, expecially with new lock Luke Romano. It is the perfect time for the All Blacks to blood players, being two-nil up. But Ireland matched the top side, so who knows?
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:11pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Other Roarers have covered the more or less modern era pretty well. It’s hard to go past poor old Simon Mannix as the worst All Black 10 of all time, although he only played the one Test, against France in 1994, after first touring with the All Blacks in 1990.
Looking further back, as I can, Taranaki’s John McCullough didn’t set the world alight in his three Tests against the Lions in 1959 and didn’t even make the 30 for the following year’s tour of South Africa.
(First) five-eighth was a real problem area for the 1960 All Blacks. They used Adrian Clarke in the first Test, Steve Nesbit in the second and third, and Tony Davies in the fourth. Clarke and Nesbit never appeared for New Zealand after this tour, although Davies played a couple of Tests at second-five against Australia in 1962.
Blair Furlong’s one Test was in 1970 against South Africa, while John Dougan managed two, in 1972 and 1973. To be selected for even one Test is quite an achievement, but the players we remember are the ones who went on with it.
Moving right along, can someone, anyone, tell me why the Irish scrum was penalised for an “illegal wheel” last Saturday? I’ve consulted the “Rules” but am none the wiser.
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:19pm
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
Very very informative AD, thanks. That scrum – its got me stuffed?
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:34pm
wMc said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
According to the ref they deliberately “walked” the scrum around – it didn’t wheel cos’ of pressure. That penalty is always subjective & has baffled me before. Another one that is dependent on the ref on the day but i suppose you can’t allow “walking” it around as every scrum would be a farce (not that a lot aren’t already)
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:50pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
Yes, wMc, I thought that’s what I heard him say. Thanks for confirming it. That suggests he thought it was a submissive wheel i.e. they were neutralising the All Blacks’ scrum advantage by going around _ although how you do that, how you wheel a scrum without pressure, is a bit of a mystery to me.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:44pm
Michael Clark said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
No mystery – one prop holds back thus imbalancing the attacking push – the offenders then ‘walk it’ sideways to accentuate the circular movement. Scrums are supposed to be a test of strength for possession exhibited by pushing straight and square. A legal wheel occurs when the defending front row gets pushed back unevenly.
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:46pm
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
I suppose it notionally comes under Law 20.8(g): “Front row players must not twist or lower their bodies, or pull opponents, or do anything that is likely to collapse the scrum, either when the ball is being thrown in or afterwards.”
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:51pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Thanks, justsaying, that was the only Law I could see that might cover it.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:05pm
JohnB said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
John Dougan played and coached at Wests in Brisbane in the early 1980s. Was certainly a good player at that level – smart, quick on his feet and elusive. I don’t recall him being a particularly good kicker though. Not sure how old he would have been by then – compared to players today his physique was more like that of one of the ballboys.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:00pm
Sam Taulelei said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
I don’t know about worst of all time but from living memory David Hill, Simon Mannix, Doug Rollerson and the Duck despite his world cup heroics would be up there.
June 23rd 2012 @ 3:40am
Ben S said | June 23rd 2012 @ 3:40am | Report comment
David Hill jumped straight into my mind when I saw the worst 10 comment.
June 22nd 2012 @ 9:28am
Uncle Argyle said | June 22nd 2012 @ 9:28am | Report comment
well f-a-duck I din’t know that….was he crap?
June 22nd 2012 @ 10:06am
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 10:06am | Report comment
He was solid enough, but ultimately well behind Mehrtens and Spencer.
June 22nd 2012 @ 12:53pm
moaman said | June 22nd 2012 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
I’ll remember Brian McKechnie for kicking the penalty that sunk Wales in….hmmmm 1978 I think it was.
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:00pm
justsaying said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
Was that the one after Andy Haden and Frank Oliver took a dive?
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:02pm
peterlala said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
Gold
June 22nd 2012 @ 4:47pm
clipper said | June 22nd 2012 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
Of course he will also be remembered as the one who received the underarm ball from Trevor Chappell
June 22nd 2012 @ 1:00pm
peterlala said | June 22nd 2012 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
moaman, that alone ensures he doesn’t belong on any “worst list”.
June 22nd 2012 @ 4:32pm
Kuruki said | June 22nd 2012 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
Richie McCaw is an absolute legend. Just watched a video that may explain why he has shown very little enthusiasm for praising Ireland in a similar manner to how he reacted to the French after being eye gouged. The video shows clearly the irish player having at least three attempts at eye gouging McCaw. He could have got up and made a big deal about it, but he just played on and never mentioned it once and hasn’t since.
He copped a hammering from some people about his perceived lack of respect for the Irish, maybe that respect has gone out the window with yet another side attempting to unsettle him with scum tactics. The fact he has not mentioned it shows to me the character of the man, he will just get on with it, yet everyone is quick to call him unsporting for not showing any love in his post match talks. The Irish player should be sighted and sent home.
June 22nd 2012 @ 4:35pm
Kuruki said | June 22nd 2012 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/video.cfm?c_id=4&gal_objectid=10814859&gallery_id=126332
June 22nd 2012 @ 4:46pm
atlas said | June 22nd 2012 @ 4:46pm | Report comment
A shocker. Can’t defend that one; or the second/third either.
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:30pm
Sylvester said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:30pm | Report comment
That didn’t look good at all I must say.
June 23rd 2012 @ 3:44am
Ben S said | June 23rd 2012 @ 3:44am | Report comment
Third attempt isn’t a gouge at all IMO. The first two don’t look good slowed down, but when sped up he’s just ripping at an area – McCaw’s face/head. Tbh, if he were to be banned then I don’t think he could defend himself, but it’s not 100% clear cut IMO. Why was this not picked up post-match by any officials or any rugby websites?
June 23rd 2012 @ 9:32am
ohtani's jacket said | June 23rd 2012 @ 9:32am | Report comment
It was mentioned on a couple of sites along with foul play on Thomson.
June 23rd 2012 @ 4:29am
Rugby Fan said | June 23rd 2012 @ 4:29am | Report comment
I didn’t notice it during the game but saw it raised on a couple of rugby sites in the North. No-one really has a clue why the citing officer didn’t decide to put it forward for a hearing. You hope it’s not a case of him doing nothing just because the match commentators didn’t bring it up and the All Blacks didn’t complain.
You shouldn’t have to stamp your feet to get something reviewed. That will just encourage players to act up in the game to make sure something gets noticed. If citing officers make clear they are looking at events which weren’t highlighted at the time, players will be aware they are under greater scrutiny all the time.
Maybe McLaughlin has a defence, and maybe McCaw didn’t feel gouged. Even so, the Irishman’s hand has no business being there and that should be enough to kick the citing officer into action.
June 22nd 2012 @ 8:13pm
Greg said | June 22nd 2012 @ 8:13pm | Report comment
That’s absolutely disgraceful. Look I know the AB’s have a history of keeping their mouth shut about eye gouging, but isn’t it about time they said something officially? They could make a complaint. I have a feeling that this is one of the reasons the Springboks of old ‘respected’ the AB’s more than the Wallabies. I was at the ground when Brendan Cannon was gouged and was glad something was made of it. After all, it does effect the younger generation. And one day an eye might be lost. What happens then? That’s grevious bodily harm. Get it. That’s legal. That’s a prison sentence.
June 22nd 2012 @ 11:13pm
atlas said | June 22nd 2012 @ 11:13pm | Report comment
a strange ‘what happens on the field stays on the field’ ethos
look at this still pic – unsure if the first second or third gouge: http://l.yimg.com/ao/i/sp/nz2/mccaw22jun400.jpg
No defence for this. I saw on another forum about ‘but what about O’Driscoll in 2005″ so some think it’s ok.
No excuses, shamefull.