Having taken care of Scotland with an experimental line-up, New Zealand coach Graham Henry today showed Ireland total respect by naming a full-strength side for Saturday’s rugby union international at Croke Park.
Having easily protected one unbeaten Test record with a largely inexperienced starting 15 at Murrayfield, Henry named his strongest line-up for the historic first meeting at the home of Gaelic football.
Only four All Blacks that started against Scotland – Joe Rokocoko, Ma’a Nonu, Ali Williams and Keven Mealamu – will back up this weekend.
After beating Scotland 32-6, the All Blacks will strive to protect another unbeaten streak against Ireland ranging back to the 1905 Originals’ tour.
After also playing in the Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia at the starte of the tour, Williams and Mealamu are now on Henry’s prescribed three-Test playing limit – though a dispensation may be made for duo given they have not played the full 80 minutes in either match.
The starting 15 offered little scope for debate, except at centre where Conrad Smith was given the job ahead of the in-form Richard Kahui.
Mils Muliaina, his parental leave expired, predictably reclaims the fullback berth from solid stand-in Isaia Toeava.
Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu have an opportunity to find form in tandem after being teamed together for the first time since the World Cup quarter-final loss to France.
The established backrow combination of Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino is entrenched.
Kieran Read’s addition to the bench after a strong debut against the Scots suggested he may have supplanted Adam Thomson as cover for all three loose forward positions.
The starting front row is also set in stone with loosehead prop Tony Woodcock’s return a formality after a week resting his chronic foot injury.
Muliaina is the only player lacking recent match play, though the coaches clearly believe their most experienced back has amassed enough knowledge over 65 Tests to slot straight back in.
He has played only a provincial game and half a trial match since the Tri-Nations title and Bledisloe Cup were retained in Brisbane on September 13.
Muliaina rated the Irish a far tougher impediment to the Grand Slam than the gallant though limited Scots.
The last three matches between New Zealand and Ireland have been relatively close, the All Blacks winning 34-23 and 27-17 at home in 2006, then 21-11 in hypothermic conditions in Wellington on June 7.
“It was pretty close when they came over,” Muliaina said.
“It’ll probably be similar conditions this weekend.”
ALL BLACKS TEAM
Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.
Sam Taulelei
Guest
Read played virtually the entire NPC from No.8. Nick don't know whether Read will displace Kaino from the starting lineup. Kaino's playing with greater consistency and his tackling in the Brisbane test was mentioned by McCaw after the game as inspirational to the rest of the team. Read is similar in some respects to Alan Whetton and he offers different strenghts to Kaino. I think Henry is trying to develop another strong physical blindside like Jerry Collins that commands respect and the attention of the defence to free up space for the rest. I think that Henry will play this lineup for the remainder of the tests with possibly only a couple of positional changes at centre, wing and possibly fullback if Muliaina's newborn son's health doesn't improve. The starting forward pack is our best available and if we get rolled by the Irish pack then we're in big trouble for the rest of the tour.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Didn't Read play some No.8 in the Air NZ Cup? Thomson's always trying to do a "McCaw," I'd rather a guy who does the hard work, particularly on defence. Read may have to work on his ball carrying though, because those carries Messam put in once McCaw was on the field are the kinda thing Henry and Hansen are looking for. In any case I think they've got the right idea in a loose forward cover for 6 and 8. The only way Richie's getting off the park is if they carry him off. A specialist is something they'll have to think about as injury cover. Mind you, if we open up a lead they might shift So'oialo to openside. How many starters do you reckon he'll bench against Wales? He has to realise that the scrum is weak without Williams and Thorn behind it.
Nick (KIA)
Guest
Interesting and positive - I think he's got more to offer then Thompson, and will push Kaino for a start by the end of the tour. I'm sure you're right about pulling those two - he'll want them for the next two games too, which will be breaking his own 'rules' about more than three in a row for them (and others).
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Henry's not taking any chances here. Read getting the bench spot is interesting. I imagine that Henry will pull Williams and Mealamu early.