ABs: team to play Poms

Julian Savea has been brought straight back into the All Blacks for winger Cory Jane in the only change to the starting 15 for Sunday morning’s revenge test against England at Twickenham. The selectors have also made a slight tweak on the bench, swapping in powerful lock Luke Romano for Sam Cane as they try and bolster their mobility. Dan Carter has been named to start at first five in what will be his 100th test.

 

NEW ZEALAND: Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Ben Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Luke Romano, Steven Luatua, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Ryan Crotty.

A few weak spots there, it would be a shame for England not to give their best in this test; they certainly have the better pack overall and they have shown what their backs are capable of.

 
Too many injuries for England to make an impression.

Australia had them on the ropes and didn't carry it through. The All Blacks won't make the same mistake .

Besides the All Blacks have something to prove (last years humiliating loss) ... and then there's that "perfect year" we've been reading about the last month.

I think the All Blacks are going to squash the Poms this weekend. 

 Perfect year? Much talk from a rugby nation embroiled in corruption. If England are weakened then I'll give this one a miss.

 We are very weakened, it's a shame

Block your ears in preparation for the chest beating. The Dodos as it were love patting themselves on the back.

 That's sport, I'm afraid. It can't be helped !

And we still don't know who are best team is anyway, we're still tinkering

Just one change for us...Cole for Wilson in the front row.

 
Brown and Farrell are class acts. Something special in my opinion.

Look forward to watching them again.

Barrett and Tuilagi would have made a massif difference. Pity about their injuries. I would have liked to see them clash with the All Blacks.

You guys have the man power to be a very serious threat at the coming WC. 

 Nope, not impressed by Barritt at all and he shouldn't be in the team even when fit. I have nothing against him personally, but the manner in which he was parachuted into my team was a disgrace. There are better centres than him who are actually English !
But he played very well against NZ last year, he has not let England down when selected and he was very brave re his eye injury. As I say, I have nothing against him whatsoever. I just would not select him. He shouldn't be in my team.
I also have a problem with players who are not English or do not have at least a parent who is or have been born/bred here at the very least. That is not right in my opinion.

We are building a team and trying combinations, still have many players to try out. But it takes time and we do have a fair few injuries, sadly.

Brown is a very good player. I'm very pleased he has finally got his chance.
Farrell, for me, does not get the credit he deserves. I see him developing into a very good 10 if he is allowed to stay in that position.
And we do have some decent centres and wings kicking about....if they aren't all injured
For me, Care is the better 9. I can't see why he isn't in the Squad. That is puzzling me.

But we shall see. Better defence and a bit more belief....thrown in with some luck...and who knows ? We could keep the score down a tad ha ha ha !!

 Oh I never give up on my team, Cloudy. I'm just not one of these people who expects to win things, I wait and see what happens, because that is the way I am. I do not expect anything, that is insulting to the opposition.

You should always go out and expect to do your best. But that works both ways !


We shall see, I am just sorry we have suffered the injuries, but that's the way it is. We get over it and move on.

I just hope they give a good account of themselves. I shall still be watching and supporting them, it makes no odds to me !!

And this is why I don't go in for making rash predictions either. One never can tell what will happen. Let's face it, no-one expected us to win in NZ when we were down to 13 men and defending our line for 10 mins, did they ? !


All I'll say is, these players are not of the same ilk, sadly. I'd like to see a bit more steel from them.......

 
Yes I agree regarding Danny Care. Quality player. Could it be his off the field issues that's hurt his name a tad? Seems to be behaving himself these days.

Your comments regarding the foreign poms is rather interesting. Of the many talented centers you have available ... who are your picks?

Twelvetrees is rather green. He didn't impress me. You rate him?

Who else? Maybe Farrelll to 12? Prefer him at 10 personally.

Not too clued up with the assortment you have available at center !!

 
 

good team and should be more then enough to take care of the english.

our main weakness is center, ben smith is still finding his feet and if i was england i would seriously target this area, cos its a waste of time trying to compete with the All Blacks anywhere else.
bad choice of words, its obviously not a waste of time, but u would have to expect very little reward anywhere else.

the All Blacks team i would have selected would have had
2 andrew hore instead of kev melamu
16 kev mealamu instead of dane coles
17 ben franks instead of wyatt crockett
18 steven luatu instead of luke romano
19 sam cane instead of luatua

given the center dilemma, i would have also kept crotty who has the ability to cover both 12 and 13 and do a very good job.

no tuilagi and barret is a massive loss for the english, but still plenty of class to be able to put up a fight, never forget what the players always say, the All Blacks bring out the best in them.
brown, farrel are world class, parling is a fave of mine and vunipola had a great debut, reminds me of a wycliff palu when hes on form.
top that of with the english being pumped due to the All Blacks aura and i do believe im getting goosebumps, :oP

dont speak for all kiwis, but i wouldnt be surprised if this is the match most have been waiting for all year long, i know i have.

BTW aussie based kiwis, dont forget to order sentanta sports if u wanna watch the All Blacks, $39.95 for the first month and $19.95 every month after that for a minimum two months.
so obviously get it for the first two months and then bid it farewell till the next EOYT, :oD

GO THE MIGHTY MIGHTY ALL BLACKS & THEIR QUEST FOR A 100% SEASON!!!