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The New Zealand side has been announced, and, as usual, there’s a whole host of changes from the team that lost the Tri Nations to the Wallabies.
I think there are nine changes in all. Yes, that’s right, nine!
Henry has admitted that he doesn’t know what his best side is, and seems content to chop and change until he figures that out.
So, for starters, there is a whole new backline; Kahui, a center, is on the wing, partnered with Toeava, a fullback cum center on the other wing.
Nonu, an inside center, is now playing on the outside. Dagg gets a deserved run at fullback and Cowan is back in the drivers seat.
Only Carter remains intact from the Aussie game.
In the scrum, we see four changes. Hore returns, pushing Mealamu out of the match 22 altogether.
Thorn and Williams resume their old partnership. Kaino and Vito take the place of the injured Read and Thompson, and Whitelock is now blindside flank cover.
The cardinal All Blacks’ sin has always been playing key players out of position during the Rugby World Cup – think Cullen at center, a mistake repeated a few years later with Muliaina at center.
Their other favorite mistake is leaving experienced players in the stands during crunch games in favor of young hotshots – think McAlister’s implosion versus France in 2007, while Aaron Mauger looked on helplessly in his suit and tie.
And this first team up against Tonga – trademark All Black Rugby World Cup selection confusion – players out of position, hotshot in place of an established combination; exactly what we, in the rest of the rugby world love to see.
Cue the implosion.
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.