Thoughts on the NZ team for France?

Question

One or two "surprises". No Howlett, Robinson starts, No Mauger, Ali ahead of Jack. What are your thoughts?

1: Woodcock

2: Oliver

3: Hayman

4: Robinson

5: Williams

6: Collins

7: McCaw

8: So'oialo

9: Kelleher

10: Carter

11: Sivivatu

12: McAlister

13: Muliaina

14: Rokocoko

15: MacDonald

Bench: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe, Leonard, Evans, Toeava

Answer 1

Looks like they are continuing to give guys a run. I thought Conrad Smith may have started or got a spot on the bench ahead of Ice. The bench were all test fired last week - so Ted has probably had this team scoped out for some time - like the last three years!

Front row looks the business - those three have taken the French apart every time a coconut over the last few years.

No Howlett ! But  lets face it Siti, Doug and Joe are all world class, all can get the job done against the French and I suspect Ted still hopes to get Siti firing on all cylinders to give the Aussies and Africans something to ponder.

I think Masoe has had a great tournament, he was always going to be on the bench as was Evans - both so versatile covering six guys between them. Hate the way some people tend to under-rate those two - both are unreal players.

Mils, Joe and Leon should be exciting - all have the big game experience and ability to combine and shine.

Answer 2

I am kind of surprised and not surprised at the sametime, if that makes sense.

Jack and Williams are two of the form locks in the world at the moment. Why wouldn't you start them both? It is a surpise but then again everyone knows Henry is a huge fan of Robinson, he has kept him in the squad for a reason.  Jack looked pretty good off the bench, maybe Henry wants some big runs in the last 20-30mins from him.

No Howlet!! Now that is a surprise! Nobody was predicting  that. From the beginning of the WC I was thinking they should start the 2 Fijian flyers, but Howlett has been in bloody good form. What does the poor boy have to do to get a start? Sitivatu has been in poor form I thought.

Centre was a contentious selection, I thought Smith was going to take it out because Henry is a big fan. This is the 3rd successive WC that we have put a FB at centre.... band omen??

Lets just hope Carter is 100%

Oh yeh, looks like we are going to be wearing grey. The French won the toss.

Answer 3

I think they've gone mental putting jack on the bench for robinson, no h**e thats a bit of a surprise (he's been playnig well i thought)

Masoe on the bench, questionable

leonard? i thought Ellis had a blinder against romania (bit more energy, accuracy)

I thought give evans a crack at starting fullback, rest Mcdonald up for semis

Carter Start ? injury cloud over his head a risk (the semis and final are gonna be hard games)

Mauger missing? they need some experience in mid field (thats what cost them 2003).

good to see resting howlett, very experienced (especially against Aus and SA).

thats it for me.

Answer 4

I'm genuinly concerned.  I am feeling very uneasy come match day...I guess it is still a fine team though.

Answer 5

Yes a few surprises in the selections but I can see the reasoning in picking this team.

McAlister at 12 instead of Mauger. McAlister has the goods on attack but his defence is suspect and in a tight game the experiened Aaron Mauger would have been a safer option but i guess McAlister is there to add flare to the backline?

As for Muliaina at centre, I do rate him as a centre and believe he will link well with the wingers, hes strong on defence, good under the high ball and most importantly hes not greedy!

Where as Leon Mcdonald (used to be greedy) has surprised me at this world cup he does seem to have good form so im glad he is starting at full back ahead of nick evans.

Sivivatu hasnt really played that well in the pool games where as doug howlett has but im happy with the selection i think he will run the french round the paddock!

Looks like this teams been chosen well, the forwards are all experienced in their positions and know their job to do .. GO FORWARD! and as for the backs ... well they look ready to attack so we should see some open rugby and some AWESOME tries.