kip

15. Malili Muliaina (Auckland)
14. Doug Howlett (Auckland)
13. Tana Umaga (vice captain, Wellington)
12. Aaron Mauger (Canterbury)
11. Joe Rokocoko (Auckland)
10. Carlos Spencer (Auckland)
9. Justin Marshall (Canterbury)
8. Jerry Collins (Wellington)
7. Richard McCaw (Canterbury)
6. Reuben Thorne (captain, Canterbury)
5. Ali Williams (Auckland)
4. Chris Jack (Canterbury)
3. Greg Somerville (Canterbury)
2. Keven Mealamu (Auckland)
1. Dave Hewett (Canterbury)

16. Mark Hammett (Canterbury)
17. Kees Meeuws (Auckland)
18. Brad Thorn (Canterbury)
19. Marty Holah (Waikato)
20. Steve Devine (Auckland)
21. Daniel Carter (Canterbury)
22. Caleb Ralph (Canterbury)


Marshall comes in at HB. Well well well. Seems this game is one they
really want to win, so the best are all on display. But not kicker,
not that it's going to matter....

bobs

Don't understand Bitch at all. Meg has always had problems with Gregan.

Well, that confirms it. Nonu was either caught with Bitches wife, or
Ralph has photos of someone doing something dodgy. And Blair seems to
have been called up to fill up the water bottles. Still trying to figure
out why Bitch dislikes Cullen because of his kicking, and then selected
Blair because of it, and then turns around and doesn't even select Blair in the 22.

--
"Behind every strong man is a government tax collector" - Bobs

(see Bobs' Book of Quotes)

mike ireland

Who is going to kick? Carlos again? Or Mauger? Both are very average
kickers, but I'm actually glad to see Mils getting another run at
fullback. His passing and linking and running have been impressive. If
he keeps playing so well at fullback, it's going to be tough for Blair
to get in. I guess if Carlos and Mauger start missing, there is always
Carter on the bench (who is still a long way from Mehrts and Blair in
terms of penalty kicking reliability). Surely a top class kicker has to
be in the starting 15 somewhere when the ABs hit the quarters of the
World Cup (but one never knows what the Mitch man is thinking).

MI

kip

Deans said Carlos to kick, with Carter as backup. Begs the question as
to why no Blair, even in the reserves. Would have to say that this
must be considered their 1st XV, plus first pick reserves no doubt.
Looks like wanting to win this one comes ahead of any block-building..

pengwin

True, let's just hope that Marshall is on song with his passing. Defensively the
named Centre to wing combination for the Wallabies looks weak to me.
-> Larkham - Flatley - Rogers and Tuqiri.

There will be some big holes there. Especially if the All Blacks continue to
support phase ball like they did against SA. Having said that, these four are
very good on attack. They should be shut down fast. The All Blacks should take
note of England's Defensive pattern for Sat night.

nik

11 out of 22 - Canterbury...

Nik

greig blanchett

[...]

Marshall's there to give us 3 loose forwards. Basically, he's covering
for Thorne.

kip

Thorne? Are you talking about the GREATEST ALL BLACK CAPTAIN OF OUR
TIME ?

Show some respect you pleb.

slipstream

The only thing marshall your halfback has unleashed in the last 3 years is
his hair dye bottle cap................ youll win despite the idiot coach.
Bobs you are about right!

peter ashford

Maybe Deans really *does* think that kicking has no part in the modern game?