All Blacks team named to face Boks,,,,

The All Blacks team to play South Africa in the Investec Rugby Championship match at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday 15 September has been named.

The team is as follows: (with Test caps in brackets)
 

Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (88)
2. Andrew Hore (68)
3. Owen Franks (37)
4. Luke Romano (4)
5. Samuel Whitelock (31)
6. Liam Messam (13)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (109)
8. Kieran Read (41)
9. Piri Weepu (62)
10. Aaron Cruden (13)
11. Julian Savea (3)
12. Ma’a Nonu (69)
13. Conrad Smith (59)
14. Cory Jane (34)
15. Israel Dagg (18)

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu (96)
17. Charlie Faumuina (1)
18. Brodie Retallick (6)
19. Victor Vito (15)
20. Aaron Smith (6)
21. Beauden Barrett (2)
22. Tamati Ellison (2)

The squad features an interchange of several starting XV and bench roles from last week. In the forwards, hooker Andrew Hore gets a start in the number two jersey with Keven Mealamu on the bench; Samuel Whitelock swaps with Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam starts ahead of Victor Vito.

In the backs, halfback Piri Weepu gets his first start of the year, with Aaron Smith on the bench; while Tamati Ellison comes onto the bench replacing Ben Smith.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “We are all looking forward to the challenge that the Springboks will bring this weekend. They are an opponent that we have immense respect for, they are our traditional foe and there is great history between our two countries. It’s going to be a huge Test match. It is also the first All Blacks Test in Dunedin’s indoor stadium, which is exciting for the team.”

“At the halfway stage of the new Investec Rugby Championship we are very happy, from a results point of view. There is a second challenge we have set ourselves – to constantly improve our game – and in that regard we are not the finished product. However, the coaching staff and team leaders are reasonably happy with the progress we are making and Saturday gives us another opportunity to confront both challenges – our opponent and ourselves,” Hansen added.

Interesting facts

• The All Blacks have played the Springboks in 83 Tests since 1921, with 46 victories to the All Blacks, 34 to South Africa and three draws. The very first Test between the two sides was played at Carisbrook on 13 August 1921, with the All Blacks winning 13-5.
• The last Test between the two sides was in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in August last year, with South Africa winning 18-5. The last match in New Zealand was earlier that year in Wellington with the All Blacks winning 40-7.
• Ma’a Nonu plays his 70th Test this weekend while his good mate Conrad Smith will pull on the black jersey in his 60th Test. The midfielders will play a record 36th Test together.
• Meanwhile, Conrad Smith has been on the winning Test side 53 times in his 59 Tests for a remarkable 89.8 percent success rate. Captain Richie McCaw has played in 109 Test matches for 97 victories for an 88.9 percent success rate.
• The All Blacks most capped prop, Tony Woodcock, joins teammate Dan Carter on 89 Test caps this weekend making them the joint fifth most capped All Blacks of all time.
• When Cory Jane scored his 11th Test match try last week, he brought up 2000 points scored by the All Blacks in Tri Nations / Rugby Championship Test matches.
• McCaw will play in his 43rd Tri Nations / Rugby Championship game this weekend, equalling the New Zealand record held by former teammate Mils Muliaina and five short of former Wallaby George Gregan’s 48.

A very good team tht should have the capacity of beating the Springbok combination - please note I do not call them a team - by 20+ points.

What is noticeable is that Smith - who did not perform well against the Argentinians - is now on the bench.   I think that is a mistake - he should be in the starting line up.   Weepu is way past his sell-by date - he is only good for the Haka.   

I also noted that Retallick is on the bench - but that could represent an improvement for the All Black team.   I think that whatever All Black team selected - will be way too good for the static and simple game plan of the Springboks.

surprised that ben smith was dropped in favour of ellison, but thats not form related, thats just giving ellison a chance to spread his wings after being in great form in 2012 at all levels.

weepu for aaron smith was a surprise, but maybe they think that smith could do with a wee rest to recharge the batteries, i would have loved for the best halfback passing game in the business to have lined up against the Boks.
in both tamati ellisons and weepus case, i would have put them in the starting 22 last week and but mr and mr smith back in the role they have been playing to date.

messam and whitelock is a no brainer, we need the best against the Boks and these two are the best in their positions IMO, they made huge impacts against the pumas of the bench and in the case of whitelock, NZ are very fortunate to have whitelock, romano and retallick as our three rotating locks.
IMO thats the best locking combo ive seen in a long time in terms of form and different set of skills they provide.
 

good te see charlie make the bench for his second test cap, hansen is doing all the right things by spreading experience amongst the rookies hes bloodied so far in 2012.
i thought ben franks would return to the 22 TBH, but charlie gets a chance to prove himslef on the back of a good outing against the pumas.
obviously owen is the one who will get benched at some stage, so i kope woody dosent get injured, thar was the best thing about ben, his experience at all levels on both sides of the scrum.

GO ALL BLACKS!!!

 I thought Weepu was back at Burger King, and not even in the squad. 

ABs: Weepu too FAT !

Weepu, the Ab’s second choice half back who’s form that has been lacking,  is a FATTY !

@sharbok,

lolz, maybe weepu and francois steyn should go to fat camp, :P

Sasue

Many a truth - spoken in jest!!!!!!  :) 

 Personally I think Weepu is as thin as a reed. There is no way that he is fatter than me, An I am as thin as a reed, Or would like to believe that:)

Only question is can this very weakened Bok side take these pretty average abs.

Fat boy wee poo may actually have shed some nz lard. Anyhow he is priceless in the hahahahaka - if anybody spots an intelligent face doing the haka please let us know.

yeah i reckon moms cooking must a waist full hey weepu

on the team that backline looks mighty omw.....weapons all over the park only way to beat them is ball possession if the high attack AB game plan is on show the speed tempo and intensity will have the boks defence at 6's and 7's

there pack is strong and skill full and there backline is just plain nasty and love to hurt you on the scoreboard. its once again the clash of the game plans. lets see if HM's defence kicking game plan can even held a candle to the black hurricane thats coming

A. Smith was dropped due to breaking team protocol after the match. I think this is a good move anyway. Weepu's experience to weather the storm then bring on Smiths speed once the boks run out of puff after 60.....