All Blacks make one change to starting side

Maybe Paddy and his mates at the IRB are actually throwing this suspension in there to throw us of the conspiracy trail. "Those Saffas are onto us best we drop a ref who makes a bad call for the team opposing the ABs, not because it's warranted but just to throw a curve ball" Now where were we? Oh that's it organise Gold Watch engraved with Silver Fern for officials at Soweto" Actually better yet the conspiracy will only heighten not only is the World against SA but also its officials, can't wait to see what the nut jobs have to say about this lol :-)

I am sure the Mitchell send off was a SA conspiracy to rob Australia of a victory. Without the send off we would have won for sure...but feel free to take this with a pinch of salt! But seriously...I will be surprised if Deans makes radical changes to the starting 15. If he does, it really shows that he is grasping at straws, because he has always backed his selections in the face of criticism (remember Burgess for the last 2 years?)

I see Bob Dwyer has decided to go down the boks conspiracy route with his latest comments ... "Last night’s referee all but ignored the offence and neglected his responsibility. Perhaps we will have to wait for the IRB to issue yet another “clarification”. Paddy O’Brien to make comment on cynical, illegal play from his beloved All Blacks! I don’t think so! Is it too much to ask that New Zealand be forced to play in accordance with the laws of our game; the same ones that is, that all others are expected to comply with?" A lot of aussies on this site love to quote Dwyer and hold him up as some sort of visionary - think it's pretty obvious that he's actually a buffoon - like so many of those in the print media ... I expect we've not heard the end of this

Keith Brown from Invercargill.

Yeah it would be good to see a fit Shepherd take the field. I don't know who I'd drop after last week's effort; either Mumm or Sharpe. Neither do enough work in tight.

Beautiful isn't it OJ. Can just imagine this fella, and cranky old Kaplan - whose still petrified of being bashed by NZers after rightfully awarding that last minute penalty to Aus in 01 - being diligent in calling Ritchie and the boys offside on the weekend. Not. Will be 17 aginst 15 (bumblers) at the weekend. NZ by 35-50 points.

Nonu has been subbing off for Cruden with Carter switching to second five, so it wouldn't surprise me if Stanley pops up on the wing like Kahui and Dagg.

I suspect they want to get Dagg some game time in NPC. He's not been seeing a lot of action for ABs and unlikely to at the mo.

From what I read on Rugbyheaven thats sounds right. Apparently Simmons was training mostly in place of Mumm (hooray). Personally I think Mumm should be dropped altogether with McCalman on the bench and to be given a half to see how he measures up. Also Anthony Faaingaa and AAC to start in the centres (another hooray) with Beale running mostly at 15 although Shepherd was sick with flu. Both centres like to take the ball on and love the contact so it will be nice to see the forwards having a target infront of the gainline for a change if Gits can give them a little space There is no way I would have a back 3 of Mitchell Beale JOC. That is just to big a punt with such "flaky" players at this stage of their career. I think Shepherd (if recovered) must come in. His size will be nice to have back and a decent kicking game. Overall an improved team IMO. They need a few Tests though not just one and be dumped or moved on...

Deans not brave enough to field his fringe players? With injuries and suspensions, fringe is all he has to play with! Wouldn't it be good to see Mortlock putting in a crunching tackle - the AB's might start kicking a bit more!

Strange to put Stanley on the bench - he could probably do with a run though. Nonu was a bit quiet... but Stanley needs time if he is a serious placement. Stanley is actually quite a good off-loader and a good defender. Does Henry actually need a line hitting 12? How is Rocko keeping his place - ok the job on AAC was pretty good.... oh and the backwards flip try thing was pretty good as well (drat). Dagg running with Jane and Mils is the combo I like... and throw in 20 minutes of Ranger.

The Wallabies appear to be picking a more combative side (dare I say one with a spine). Reports from training combinations at Christ's College in Christchurch (Robbie Deans' old school) suggest the Wallabies are looking to add some muscle to the backline. Adam Two-Dads should move to where he is clearly the best player in Australia (centre) and possibly outside Anthony Faingaa at second five-eighth. This will add approximately 40 odd kilograms to the backline, or in the old scale, about 100%. I'd expect some changes in the forwards, especially in the tight five to add some backbone and willingness to engage in the tight, dark spaces where rugby Tests are won. Watch for the Wallaby forwards to play tighter and more aggressively. If the Wallabies lose in the City of Churches, the contest for the Bledisloe is over and the Tri Nations will be a fight for pride against the Bok.

I agree that we need the ARC back. You could probably afford it if we didn't pay a million to our coach and a million to our CEO and a few mill to the others that make up the board. What I mean is feed some of the money into lower levels and see the benifit. Henry is giving some of his fringe players a bit of a go, it's a pity that Deans is not of the same mind, at least Henry's reserves get a run.

Kiwi's stealing all our players. The hide!!!!

Who is it? So long as they're from Canterbury they'll be impartial...torn between being loyal to the ABs and loyal to Deans...

Agree with lack of depth and need for extra tier of competition in Australia,not just for the players benefit either.It would need to be something good to create some interest and be viable though.For example Brisbane Club Rugby is of a good standard and very watchable but with the Bronco Mail here,you have to peer into the small print results section on Monday to see that it actually exists.The attempt at a second tier comp a couple of years ago was good but apparently not affordable.It's a shame because it's needed. On a tour of the MCG last week, the tour guide,an elderly man knowledgable about sports played at the MCG,asked me which countries actually contested the Bledisloe Cup! It's a tough market out there.

I believe that Henry wants a blinder out of Nonu for this game and is keeping the big guy on his toes.

Wow, Ma'a Nonu was a fraction of the pace last week and they bring Benson Stanley into the reserves. Mr Henry just keeping Nonu on his toes perhaps? Still think having Dagg, Jane and Muliana in the same 22 is 1 fullback too many. Piri Weepu coming in strengthens the AB's if anything but don't think it's going to make that much difference.

well for being a liability they're getting the job done ... Cowan and Weepu fit the gameplan the AB's want to play - and with back up of Mathewson and Leonard the stocks are fine and the next tier is a kid by the name of Aaron Smith - an AB in waiting

The difference at this level is clear, those not involved in the AB's & Boks this w/e will be playing in front of healthy crowds in their countries respective 3rd tier tournaments...The fringe Wallabies on the other hand...some will front for club duty (so they should), but the soft ones will be "injured"...