Graham Henry makes seven changes to All Blacks for upcoming Tri Nations encounter against Wallabies
New Zealand national Rugby Union team’s, also known as All Blacks, head coach Graham Henry has announced his match 22 for their upcoming Tri Nations encounter against their sporting rivals, Wallabies.
All Blacks will host the Wallabies for their second Tri Nations encounter on Saturday, August 6, at Eden Park, Auckland. Eden Park is a favourite hunting ground for the All Blacks, which is supported by the fact that Wallabies
last won a match at this venue in the 1986 season.
Henry has made seven changes to the side, which delivered the Springboks a 40 – 7 thrashing last weekend. This includes four changes in the forwards pack and the remaining three in the backs. The inclusion of the seven players
has taken the total tests of the All Blacks match 22 to 766 as compared to the Wallabies 390 caps.
Henry has acknowledged the recent impressive performance by the Wallabies and their players in the 2011 Super Rugby Championship. He added, “There is no doubt that the intensity levels will rise for this Test.”
Saturday’s test is one of a two match series which both Wallabies and All Blacks play for their bilateral Bledisloe Cup title. Commenting further, Henry said, “It's game one in a two-match Bledisloe Cup series involving the
teams ranked number one and two in the world. It's a hugely important Test and is going to be a massive challenge, but we are looking forward to that.”
In forwards, Andrew h**e has been dropped to the bench as Keven Mealamu replaces him as the hooker in the side. Similarly, Ben Franks will start from the bench, making way for his brother Owen Franks to start the match at the position.
Adam Thomson is moved to the bench making way for Kieran Read to start as number eight, while Samuel Whitelock makes way for the Brad Thorn at the number four, lock position. Thorn will pair with Ali Williams at the crucial 4 and 5 positions, as Whitelock
is dropped to the bench.
Jimmy Cowan has been dropped from the side, as the All Blacks experienced international scrumhalf Piri Weepu plays his first international game of the season.
Wingers’ Cory Jane and Zac Guildford, in spite of their impressive performance against the Springboks’, failed to retain their place in the match 22. Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu have replaced Guildford and Jane respectively. Gear has recovered from
his hamstring injury to play his first international of the season.
The All Blacks squad for their upcoming international against the Wallabies includes,
Starting XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw(c) 6 Jerome Kaino , 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu,
1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew h**e, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
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