New Zealand will be hoping they don’t suffer the same fate as the Wallabies with a vastly under-strength All Blacks team expected to play Fiji on Friday night in Dunedin.
Only four of the starting team from their last Test against Wales in November ran in what looked like a shadow Test team on Tuesday – fullback Mils Muiliaina, centre Conrad Smith, halfback Jimmy Cowan and captain Richie McCaw.
The All Blacks’ selectors are keen to rest key players after an arduous Super Rugby campaign for the Crusaders and the Blues, and the Fiji game will allow them to do that ahead of the Tri Nations.
But Wallabies’ coach Robbie Deans was in the same position when he rested many of his best players for Australia’s season opener on Sunday when they were trounced by Samoa.
Jarrad Hoeata looks certain to make his All Blacks debut after he partnered Ali Williams in the second row at training on Tuesday, while the loose forward trio featured McCaw, Adam Thomson and Liam Messam.
Hurricanes’ discard Andrew Hore was joined by Crusaders’ props Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett in the front row, while Colin Slade ran at five-eighth. Ma’a Nonu was outside Slade with Zac Guildford and Sitiveni Sivivatu on the wings.
Those not included in the 22 for Friday’s fundraiser Test for Canterbury earthquake victims are returning home to spend time with their families, with the bulk of those players expected to be Crusaders.
The squad reassembles in Wellington to prepare for the Test against the Springboks on July 30.
Possible All Blacks team: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (capt), Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett.
cinematic
Guest
To the contrary I think the AB's will benefit from a massive tide of public support they don't get when the WC is elsewhere. Much like they did in 87. Home teams usually flourish in WC's. Of course kiwi's expect the AB's to win every game and that creates pressure, but that's nothing new.
Gerhard van Lamp
Guest
I'm not too surprized by the history dating back that.South African rugby had a few shocking (and terribly depressing) years where we couldn't even beat the English ;) I might be wrong but my count is 5-4 to Nz since 2008? I'd hate to be playing for the Ab's in a world cup at home.The pressure is going to be intense!
katzilla
Roar Guru
"I’ll poke my tongue out extra long" Can't be doing that, that kind of lewd behaviour will have the Australian females immigrating to NZ in droves.
Jerry
Guest
Gerhard - your comment inspired me to see if that historical trend held true for more recent results. I was quite surprised at how similar the stats are for the pro era (96 onwards) NZ vs Aus - P 40, W 27, L 13 NZ vs SA - P 39, W 27, L 12
Gerhard van Lamp
Guest
And South Africa more regularly...
johnny-boy
Guest
You're only as good as your last game .... against the All Blacks - b teams excluded
ohtani's jacket
Guest
They lose to Australia sometimes.
Jamesb
Guest
The AB's do not lose to minnows, in fact they have never lost to Scotland or Ireland as well, a claim no other team can make.
cinematic
Guest
Is this the same AB's that field practically two entirely different 15's when the tour the northern hemisphere at end of each season?
Kuruki
Guest
Really?? This is not Australia, this is the All Blacks. This is not a weak team. No it's not the top side but there is over 500 test caps exp in this side that is a huge amount for a so called weakend All Black team. Franks and Crockett dominated all infront of them this year. Andrew Hore was the number one All Black hooker before his injury. Williams is a test veteran. McCaw Thompson and Messam are the equal of any loose forward trio in World rugby. Nonu and Smith only one test cap away from being the all time equal centre paring in All Blacks history behind Bunce and Little and are still arguably the best centre combination in World rugby.. The back 3 speaks for itself Mills and Sivi were first choice All Blacks before Sivi's injury. Guildford one of the form wingers of the Super 15. The only question marks are Slade and Hoeata. And being against Fiji they will be the one's asking the questions of the opposition not the other way around.
Moaman
Guest
Cooper "straight-running''?????? I'm going to have to watch more closely.Whilst I admire Cooper's skill set-I have never noted that straight-running was one of his attributes.Fast hands,a great pass and more jinks n jives than a Matador on speed.....yes,definitely. MUCH has been made of Giteau's "sideways" running this week.I think Matt Giteau has become an easy target and a convenient scapegoat for a substandard performance by practically EVERY wallaby on the day.Genia was unimpresive in the half-hour odd he spent on the field yet that appears to have gone un-noticed.People 'see' what they want to see quite often and some players become commentators' and fans' favourites-others don't.That's an interesting phenomenon and all very well but it doesn't excuse they way a lot of so-called 'fans' and self=professed afficianadoes turned-on their team like a feral pack on Sunday evening.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
"Plus NZ never get out muscled.." I respectfully beg to differ. It doesn't happen that often I'll grant you that but there have been tests when we've been outmuscled, one memorable occasion was against France in 1995 on the end of season tour. Colin Meads ripped into the team afterwards and told them it was the most gutless display he had ever seen from a team in black.
Emric
Guest
Cruden is improving and will soon be the no.1 pick first 5 All Black. Slade is like the iceman under pressure he's the right choice for the moment
jeremy
Guest
He may be the Peter de Villiers of the Roar oh dear god, there's 2 of them??
Emric
Guest
:) it just a small dig at our Australian Cousins - The Samoans deserved to win and Australia reallly didn't play that bad technically they simply lacked heart it was like none of them really wanted to be on the field.
Dave
Guest
Forecast for friday, high of 9, low of 1. Could be a shock for the Fijians.
Brendon
Guest
I don't think it will be such a problem for nz to beat Fiji. They have the depth an are playing with a decent 10. The wallabies had giteu who gives no room for his backs but running sideways all day. This mad AAC and mcabe useless.. Cooper with straight running and hard flat passing will open the game up for the Aussies. NZ don't have the problem because spade is a very good player and very experienced centers. Plus NZ never get out muscled.. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Capital
Roar Guru
Joseph may not represent the views of the establishment Emric :) He may be the Peter de Villiers of the Roar
Wawnout
Guest
Most sense you've made today.
Capital
Roar Guru
A bit out there - even for this testosterone fuelled site :)