The All Blacks have lost their enforcer, Jerome Kaino, for at least a month in a major blow heading into Saturday’s return Bledisloe clash with the Wallabies at Eden Park.
Liam Messam has replaced Kaino at blindside flanker in one of three changes to the New Zealand starting line-up from last weekend’s 12-12 Bledisloe draw in Sydney.
Kaino, the experienced defensive rock of the All Blacks, will be sidelined for between four to six weeks with the elbow injury he suffered in the opening exchanges last Saturday at ANZ Stadium.
Backline powerhouse Ma’a Nonu (shoulder) has also been ruled out with injury, but should only miss the one match in The Rugby Championship.
Nonu’s scratching allows reliable Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty to mark Matt Toomua in his first run-on start after seven appearances from the bench.
Crotty beat Malakai Fekitoa to the No.12 jersey after Conrad Smith’s return from the birth of his first child pushed the Highlanders youngster out of the outside centre position.
Tight-head prop Charlie Faumuina also returns from illness to take his place on the bench.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has been urging better execution and a stronger performance up front after the Wallabies enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for the last 50 minutes at ANZ Stadium.
“While we were disappointed with the draw last weekend, we are excited by the opportunity that presents itself this weekend,” Hansen said.
“We have been working hard on all aspects of our game this week and there’s a definite resolve to improve the quality of our performance on Saturday.”
Winger Cory Jane will play his 50th Test at Eden Park, where the unchanged Wallabies are aiming to end a 28-year drought.
New Zealand have also won their last 32 matches at their spiritual home since an 18-18 draw with South Africa in 1994.
All Blacks: Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa.
atlas
Guest
as per post August 21st 2014 @ 12:33pm reading interview NZ Herald today appears Messam was always going to start this match - his enforced 'rest' last week he was not happy with but accepted. Kaino would have been sub, no great loss, Luatua will do ok.
Dave
Guest
A position you know better than most!
The
Roar Rookie
Dead last
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Genia wasn't dropped, he is injured and may or may not make it back for the RC. I don't read anywhere or anyone commenting on his absence affecting the team. That might change after the weekend. To suggest a guy like Genia is average is absurd.
Mickh
Guest
First the ref now the injury toll. Getting in early I see. You guys better win because I can't bear the thought of reading this site for a few weeks. It's been a hard enough read already this week.
Chivas
Guest
Genia is out of form and got dropped. Now he is a vital cog....
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Messam is a very handy replacement and lose nothing. Crotty was very strong defensively when he came on. The Wallaby Centres have a brick wall to get through.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Geeez the bar must be set incredibly high in your World. To label guys like Pocock, Genia and Cooper as average players indicates to me you are either winding us up, ignorant or arrogant. maybe a combo of the three. Any team outside of the AB's would welcome these guys with open arms.
GeoffBrisbane
Guest
No.1?
atlas
Guest
When the squad was named, Messam was noted as not injured but being 'rested' after his Super season, I took this to be for the first match and thought he'd always play this one with Kaino off the bench, player management for the tournament. Luatua/Cane should get a run depending on who's subbed/injured. As for Carter - another site stated of the All Blacks' last 44 matches he has played in 22 - his unavailability hardly a worry these days. And at least 2 of those 22 he's gone off injured - the du Plessis shoulder and the achilles v England. I'd no longer count him as a 'loss', rather a bonus if he is available. Woodcocks unavailability is perhaps under-rated, good solid player that he is. Good to see Charlie Faumuina back, hope he gets decent game time on his home ground (Luatua as well!)
Knightblues
Guest
time to put the abs in their place at last!
vman
Guest
unlike the missing abs you havn't named any players considered the best in the world in there positions just a bunch of average players apart from moore
bryan
Guest
How about Pocock, Moore, TPN, Cooper, Genia, Cummns? I suppose you could add Speight to that as well.
Stu. B.
Guest
KAINO,CARTER,NONU all missing,what international team could sustain a loss of this caliber and still look like winners?This is it wallabies and Mckenzie now or never,please do the job,no excuses.
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
Messam is not a bad replacement given he has had 2 years experience . C Smith likewise isn't a bad replacement and watching Crotty when he came on last week I didn't think went badly either. And with Big Charlie F on the bench i reckon the team has strengthened with the bench also.