- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Speculation that this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup showdown foreshadows a Rugby World Cup final has gained traction with the return of All Black heavyweights Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks.
Back-line jostling continues with starting rights being granted to Piri Weepu at halfback and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Hosea Gear on the wings.
Overall, it’s seven changes from the side that blitzed the Boks and increases collective test-match experience by over a hundred caps.
A seasoned lineup, this side will be under strict instructions from Coach Graham Henry to pulverize and physically overwhelm their Wallaby counterparts at the set-pieces and breakdowns – the remedy for unpredictable Aussie flair.
The cultured competitive edge within the All Blacks camp provides the spark for Dan Carter to ignite Ma’a Nonu plus the fresh but untested legs of Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu off the shoulder and out wide.
Both returnee wing-men will be acutely aware that Zac Guildford and Cory Jane have laid down a compelling challenge comprising two tries apiece in last week’s outing.
The added dimension this week though, is in containing dynamite Digby Ioane and game-breakers Quade Cooper and Will Genia.
Super-loosie Adam Thomson drops back to a bench he’ll share alongside Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Andy Ellis and Colin Slade.
Sonny Bill has lost significant ground to a re-fired Ma’a Nonu in the battle for No12. Mainly because Nonu’s seasoned and subliminal partnership with Conrad Smith ticks boxes beyond Sonny Bill’s reach.
All Blacks side to face the Wallabies:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw – captain
8. Kieran Read
9. Piri Weepu
10. Daniel Carter
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore
17. Ben Franks
18. Samuel Whitelock
19. Adam Thomson
20. Andy Ellis
21. Colin Slade
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.