So nervous are these ABs that they have wrapped Richie up in cotton wool. His main duties this week are PR related. The great man was seen at the break shooting the puck at a Black Hawks game. Other pictures of the ABs have them wandering the streets of Chicago looking up at the big buildings.
But all that ends on Saturday when these undercooked ABs face the Mighty Eagles. Obviously the ABs, on a losing streak having just been easily disposed of by the Boks, want to change the trend.
So to get some insurance SBW and Carter are straight into the match 23. Here's the side we will face on Saturday on hallowed Soldier Field.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Julian Savea.
Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago
Kick-off: 15.00 (09.00, Sunday, November 2 NZ Time; 20.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Chris Assmus (Canada), Andrew McMaster (Canada)
TMO: Brian Arciero (Canada)
