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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Dan Carter Is Out While McCaw Raises His Ton 3 views
14 September 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Connected with:
Wiki Player
Dan Carter,
Colin Slade,
Richie McCaw
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Scott Donaldson looks at the All Blacks team named to play Japan.
The All Blacks superstar Daniel Carter will not play against Japan on Friday night after suffering a back injury. There is no point risking him in a game the All Blacks should win easily and he is being wrapped in cotton wool to play France next week. He has been replaced by Colin Slade, while Jimmy Cowan comes onto the bench. This also gives Colin Slade a chance to get the monkey off his back from his last All Blacks start against South Africa and a gives him a chance to get some confidence, so there is a silver lining.
The All Blacks selectors have given Mils Muliaina a chance to prove he is better than the exciting Israel Dagg at fullback and captain Richie McCaw earns his 100th cap. This team pays Japan the ultimate compliment but looking like a full strength side with only Kieran Read, Jimmy Cowan and potentially Israel Dagg missing from a top lineup that would start both next week against France and in the Quarter Finals.
Andy Ellis could be getting his last run of the tournament at halfback, so don't read too much into that. Conrad Smith renews his partnership with Ma'a Nonu as the top midfield combination, while a strong performance against Tonga has shown us that Richard Kahui is now a first choice winger and he gets a start on the left wing. Muliaina is feeling the pressure after another great performance by Israel Dagg against Tonga.
In the forwards the All Blacks have probably gone for their best lineup for this match, although the most under pressure will be Number Eight Adam Thomson who returns from injury. With Kieran Read out injured Adam Thomson has the chance to push for a Number Eight starting spot in a head to head race with the more bulky Victor Vito.
It will be good for this team to have a run together before they play France. It is hard to know what you can read into these selections. I think Zac Guildford is on the scrapheap now. I wonder if the selectors initially brought Kahui as a winger or it has just worked out that way? I think he is a great option. Are they just giving the quicker pass of Andy Ellis some game time for fitness? I think Cowan will be great against the bulkier teams like South Africa and England, but Ellis and Weepu could be options against Australia.
All Blacks:
Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad
Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Adam Thomson,
Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen
Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa,
Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Sonny Bill
Williams.
What do you think of this team?
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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