Luke Romano has bounced back from injury to earn an unexpected start at lock for the All Blacks in Saturday’s match in Sydney.
The man touted as the long-term replacement for pack enforcer Brad Thorn is the only real surprise in the starting 15 named on Thursday to face Australia in the opening match of the inaugural Rugby Championship.
There are five changes from the side who routed Ireland 60-0 in their last Test two months ago.
Youngster Brodie Retallick is surprisingly on the reserve bench behind 26-year-old Romano, who made his Test debut at Hamilton.
The qualified builder was a comparatively late starter in first class rugby but has gone from strength to strength.
Involvement in the first two Wallabies Tests this month seemed unlikely when he hobbled out of the Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Chiefs with a shoulder injury but his recovery has been rapid.
Romano will partner lock Sam Whitelock in a forward pack featuring five Cantabrians.
In-form Liam Messam has won the contentious blindside flank berth ahead of Victor Vito, who is on the reserve bench, and Adam Thomson.
Two changes from the starting pack that routed Ireland sees Keven Mealamu oust fellow veteran Andrew Hore at hooker while Kieran Read returns from injury at No.8, pushing captain Richie McCaw to his favoured openside flank role in place of youngster Sam Cane.
In the backs, Dan Carter and Cory Jane have overcome injury and replace Aaron Cruden and Zac Guildford respectively.
As expected, Ma’a Nonu is inserted for his first Test of the year in place of injured outside centre Conrad Smith, with standby squad member Sonny Bill Williams retaining his spot at No.12 in the other half of a fearsome midfield.
Hosea Gear has retained the left wing spot ahead of youngster Julian Savea in a tight selection call.
Just eight of the starting XV – which boasts 624 combined caps – started the previous Test against Australia, last October’s 20-6 win in the World Cup semi-final at Auckland.
A squad of 24 were to fly to Sydney on Thursday, with Thomson and prop Charlie Faumuina travelling as standby options.
All Blacks team: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, Brodie Retallick, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore.
guinness14
Guest
I agree with you on that one. I Like Pocock, but no where near the work rate of Richie, who can cover the paddock quicker than DP. Same position, who both have a different style. Cheers.
Wal the Hooker
Guest
Not sure about the WBs getting thrashed PK! I'm not that overconfident the WBs is one side that always give the ABs trouble...
Bono
Guest
For all the talk about the wallabies being weak up front, I honestly can't remember in recent history an AB forward pack dominating the Aussie pack in Australia, and this is the weakest AB pack in the last three to four years imo. This game is going to be tight and I fully agree with the points that Nick Cross raised as well. Should be good.
Harryonthecoast
Guest
Would like Roarers to watch McCaw closely in Sats game and just watch how much ground he covers. Pocock is not in the same street.
Harryonthecoast
Guest
Don't underestimate Romano!
Harryonthecoast
Guest
Well would you rather have Romano than Simmonds?!!
Harryonthecoast
Guest
Not during the game I hope!!!
WQ
Guest
Nice work Jerry and moaman, as an All Blacks fan I am pleased you had to work so hard to find those stats!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Form is not so much an issue for me. We have seen it so many times. Cory Jane Dagg and Carter will step up, no doubt in my mind. Nonu will play the role of distributor which i think he will thrive, he is just so mature now as a player, i don't think we will see any issue there. The All Blacks have picked the most physical pack possible and when you have big boys like SBW Nonu Gear running onto front foot ball......
Argyle
Roar Guru
Yeh fair enough Pete, Mate I think we (Australia) would have a fair better chance if Higginbotham played 6. It is by far an away his best position. Ive said it a thousand times he runs well in space with outside backs. A very good link forward. However his body height with ball in hand can e average. I am expeting a tight game and I think he will get held up a few times by the All Blacks. This is an art form well displayed by the New Zealand Super 15 teams this year. Pocock will get heavily marked by NZ, knowing he is at his best when he is second man in, New Zealand will hold him back, down whatever it takes, and so they should to make his journey to the next breakdown turbulent. Australia has no other genuine pilferer in the run on side. In my team I would have backed up Pocock with Schatz at 8 who has a tremendous work rate and could support Pocock. Dennis and Higginbotham will be found wanting as they have no combination with Pocock as a back row unit. I do expect to see one off pieces og birlliance by Wallaby backrowers but not an 80 minute performance.
moaman
Roar Guru
Well spotted mate----I must have scrolled right through the 70s ;-( Mind you..if Joe Morgan hadn't been illegally held back........
Argyle
Roar Guru
Yeh, Mate Nathan Sharpe is a fine line-out forward along with Higginbotham. Dennis is yet to really stamp himself as an international forward an any aspect of the game. Timani would struggle against a number of NPC teams let alone the All Blacks however the telling point, the crux if you will is both the ability of TPN and Moore to get their throw in's accurate 100%. New Zealand know this and will pressure those guys as well as Timani. I would be looking for short lineouts if i were Australia when on the attack and steak & veg 2 ball in defence. But I reckon at some stage of the game the Wal's will try a 6 ball 5 yards out from our own line, duff it and the All Blacks score.
Jerry
Guest
I found another time - god, I'm such a stats nerd. In 1976 they lost the 3rd and 4th tests to South Africa. The next away test wasn't till November the following year when they lost to France in Toulouse.
moaman
Roar Guru
TeamT--- I just spent 15 minutes of my tragic life scrolling through the records--I could be wrong but I couldn't find any instance of the ABs losing three-in-a-row overseas since the ill-fated 1949 tour of deepest,dark Africa.
moaman
Roar Guru
Tissot Time -Thanks -will pass that on.Much appreciated. Jerry--My bad for not being clear.My "The bench is interesting.Wasn’t expecting Retallick,Hore nor Smith to be there. " meant that I didnt expect Hore to be subbing,thought he would start.Smith was Ben Smith when I expected Ellison.Also thought Retallick would start,obviously. WQ-also great adviceNot sure I could handle a hot woman atm but it would be nice t ofind out one way or the other! Peterlala--see above. Riccardo-Yep,thanks.
all7days
Roar Guru
I wouldn't put to much weight on what works in super rugby
Nick Cross
Guest
I think this is going to be a lot closer than what I'm reading here. <5 points in it. The main reasons are: 1) Sydney test 2) Out of position (Nonu), out of form (Dagg, DC), unproven at test level (Gear), and recently injured with minimal game time (Jane) backs. Only SBW and A Smith are on top of their games in their position. 3) Everyone is panning the Wallabies, big win for ABs last start - complacency I'm imagining the ABs getting there but only just and it wouldn't take much in the way of luck going the way of the home side for a win to Wallabies N
WQ
Guest
Nice pick up Team taniwha be interesting to see?
Team taniwha
Guest
Agree regarding the locks. As Spiro says, with Romano AB's trying to replicate what they have lost with Thorn. Apparently his nickname at the Crusaders is Prickle as in little Thorn. We will see how well he can fill the void. For the trains spotters, AB's are on two game losing streak out of NZ, not sure when there was last thee game streak.
all7days
Roar Guru
Good side. I am not fully sold on Romano yet, but his attitude is good and he has his chance to seal his spot this week. Before the last test against Ireland I never rated Messam either. He's ok at super level but usually doesn't play the tight role often enough. If he replicates his last performance his will own the Jersey. I would eventually like to see Ben Smith move to centre (maybe on the northern tour). Would've liked to see Zak there as well. The way he plays off Carter is similar to how SBW plays off Crudan.