ABs named

[RugbyReg]

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Ma'a Nonu, 22 Isaia Toeava.

 

[Scarfman]

Is it just me who thinks Stephen Donald is about as good as Dan Parks?

 

[PaarlBok]

Is it just me who thinks Stephen Donald is about as good as Dan Parks?

Pretty sure if he'll get pressure by the Wallabies. Carter in 12 is quite interesting. :nta:

 

[disco]

Donald had a good game in Brisbane. Hosea Gear is a good selection he's brother used to give Lote a bath but then really struggled against AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in Melbourne which cost him a RWC selection.

 

[Scarfman]

Is it just me who thinks Stephen Donald is about as good as Dan Parks?

Pretty sure if he'll get pressure by the Wallabies. Carter in 12 is quite interesting. :nta:

Cartel always thinking two moves ahead. In this case, move the world's best or second best player out of position and move a journeyman into it.

 

[Pfitzy]

Donald played very welll in Brisbane - Henry used his bench well there. Added something which is what you want from the bench 10. Good on him - after years of being mediocre he stood up. But its Donald so every chance he'll sit right back down this time

 

[naza]

Donald is terrific. I've always thought Carter was better suited to 12 than 10. The All Blacks looked more creative in recent years when Evans was in at 10 and Carter at 2nd 5/8th.

 

[Mainlander]

Donald is terrific. I've always thought Carter was better suited to 12 than 10. The All Blacks looked more creative in recent years when Evans was in at 10 and Carter at 2nd 5/8th.

Last time they picked Carter at 12 against Oz he was against a young Matt Gitteau and was owned... Well maybe not owned but certainly Gitteau came out on top. Think they've played against each other twice now at 12 for the AB's and both time Gitteau proved he was the better 2nd. Of cource Carter has the wood on him at 1st as one would expect from the BEST (were'd you get that 2nd best rubbish idea from Scarfman? or are you a closet Johnny Wilkinson fan?)

Can never understand this adoration for Evan's, he always folded under pressure... Did it when he was an AB fullback, constantly did it for the Highlanders, folded in the WC last year and blew it for the Blues in this year's Super-14. I for one hope he has a long carrier in Europe/Japland or were ever he fucked off to and never comes back.

Donald is all we have left (for now) in the cupboard but can run very hot and cold. Chiefs/Moolous are alway either raving about him or cursing him, sometimes at the same time. However with his limited opportunities so far in black he's looked steady enough and hasn't fucked up yet so fingers crossed. They have to use this combo because to be blunt Nonu there against the convicts is just too risky and a potential disaster waiting to happen. Oz targets Nonu and are pretty good at nullifying him. I blame Deans for this, Canterbury/Sadders know/knew how to do it (as the NPC final showed) and Deans took this knowledge with him to Oz (although to be fair it was probably Deans who worked out his weaknesses in the first place)

 

[PaarlBok]

Havent watch the NPC but cant remember Nunu playing bad for some time now. Donald I think is a bigger risk then him.

 

[whocares]

were'd you get that 2nd best rubbish idea from Scarfman? or are you a closet Johnny Wilkinson fan?

I hear Henandez is knocking on the door

 

[disco]

Cartel always thinking two moves ahead. In this case, move the world's best or second best player out of position

Mainlander,
I think he means behind Richie McCaw or possibly Jonny Wilkisnon I'm not sure.

 

[Mainlander]

Havent watch the NPC but cant remember Nunu playing bad for some time now. Donald I think is a bigger risk then him.

He got pulled very early in the NPC (or whatever it's called) final and was generally thought to have played like crap even by the Wellington supporters. Aussie have managed to expose him in all the tree Tri tests so far at least once in every game and as I said seem to be waiting for a slip-up. Against you Boks he was fine and to be fair kept his cool and composure against Oz for Most of the time but against the crafty Wannabe I equate watching him as being similar to handling nitro. The other disconcerting thing is he seems to be our only back outside Carter that threatens to break through the opposition.

 

[PaarlBok]

Will Carter do the kicking? Donald also hot & cold in this department.

 

[Gagger]

Cartel always thinking two moves ahead. In this case, move the world's best or second best player out of position

Mainlander,
I think he means behind Richie McCaw or possibly Jonny Wilkisnon I'm not sure.

Surely he means George Smith.....

 

[Scarfman]

Of cource Carter has the wood on him at 1st as one would expect from the BEST (were'd you get that 2nd best rubbish idea from Scarfman? or are you a closet Johnny Wilkinson fan?)

2nd best PLAYER in the world. Eeeeeeeeeeeasily the best 10.

 

[Ash]

Of cource Carter has the wood on him at 1st as one would expect from the BEST (were'd you get that 2nd best rubbish idea from Scarfman? or are you a closet Johnny Wilkinson fan?)

2nd best PLAYER in the world. Eeeeeeeeeeeasily the best 10.

Yeah, I understood the same too. I'd have McCaw and Carter as my one-two.

I have seen some of Hernadez, though, and geez, I rate what I have seen. It's a real shame that we don't get more NH games down here (or that I can't be bothered to download them). I even think I'd rate Hernandez over Gits as a 10. Gits is probably the 3rd best 10 in the world in my book, and could still be the best 12, but I think JdV would have claims on that right now?

 

[Mainlander]

Dean's will be pleased.

Stay at home dad Mils forces late change
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Hong Kong - Fairfax Media | Thursday, 30 October 2008

Isaia Toeava will start at fullback for the All Blacks in the Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup test after Mils Muliana elected to stay inNew Zealand with his newborn baby.

The All Blacks have had a late change of plans with fullback Mils Muliaina deciding to stay in New Zealand following the birth of his first child, meaning Isaia Toeava will start against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup test here.


Wellington rookie Cory Jane gets an unexpected callup to the bench.

Muliaina was expected in Hong Kong on Thursday but will now join the All Blacks for the Grand Slam leg of the tour that starts next week with a test against Scotland in Edinburgh.

Muliaina and his partner celebrated the arrival of baby boy Max on Tuesday.

The change robs the All Blacks of some vast experience at the back but won't alter their preparations with Toeava having trained at No 15 in Auckland last week and during the team's practices in Hong Kong.

Backline utility Toeava made his All Blacks test debut at fullback in the 2005 Grand Slam clincher against Scotland and has played there for Auckland at times.

The All Blacks back three of test debutant Hosea Gear, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Toeava are certain to get an aerial examination from the Wallabies kickers.

 

[RugbyReg]

he MAY have liked Barnes as a 2nd kicker to take advantage of possible poor positioning/inexperience at the back.

Expect AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to use his up and under and chase plan a great deal now.