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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
New Zealand vs Canada Preview 8 views
30 September 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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The teams have been named and now it is time for New Zealand to take on the might of Canada on Sunday. Scotty Donaldson looks at the clash.
Graham Henry has made plenty of changes to the team to face Canada on Sunday afternoon in his 100th test match as coach. It doesn't really matter who the All Blacks play from their squad, they should win easily against the improved Canadians. It will be interesting to see how cohesive this New Zealand team is.
History is not on the side of the visitors. These two teams have met four times before with the All Blacks winning all four easily. Their closest result was in the 1991 quarter finals where New Zealand won 29-13. In the other three matches the All Blacks have posted half century wins including their only other Rugby World Cup match in 2003.
Most selections by the home team are based on getting a viable side without injured players from the win over France.
Points of interest
This match will be the first All Blacks test match played at home during the day for years. They usually appreciate the warmer conditions which help their expansive game. There could be some rain for this match however.
The most interest surrounds the performances of Ali Williams, Kieran Read, Jimmy Cowan, Mils Muliaina and Sam Whitelock who are playing for starting spots heading into the quarter finals.
The back three is intruiging with the spotlight on how Mils Muliaina goes at fullback in his 99th test match. If he plays really well and Israel Dagg flourishes on the wing in place of the injured Cory Jane, is there a thought that Dagg and Muliaina could both start in the quarter final allowing Muliaina to raise his 100 test caps?
Zac Guildford gets a start on the left wing, but will not take any further part in the tournament especially given the form of the injured Richard Kahui so far in the Rugby World Cup tournament.
Sonny Bill Williams starts in midfield instead of Ma'a Nonu. This is simply to rest Nonu and give SBW some time in the midfield. Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are a great midfield partnership.
Cowan starts at halfback in his 50th test and needs a good game under his belt to push for a starting spot in the quarter finals.
There is plenty of interest in how Kieran Read goes returning after injury and he probably won't play a full game. The reserves are limited, but Sam Whitelock will probably move from lock to blindside flanker or Anthony Boric will come on and play at blindside as the All Blacks try and give game time to their reserve locks. It seems that Victor Vito who I rate highly will take no further part in the tournament unless there are several injuries.
Andrew Hore and Ali Williams start and in my opinion are slightly over the hill and this could well be their last starts of the tournament.
The All Blacks have named Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter to start. The All Blacks mean business.
What do you think of this All Blacks side?
Canada on the other hand have only made one change from the team that drew with Japan earlier this week, but unlike most of the other minnows, they have resisted the urge to rest and rotate players and this could come back to haunt them as they could easily run out of steam against the All Blacks.
Only one player, full-back James Pritchard, was unavailable because of injury and his absence prompts one change of personnel, and one positional. Matt Evans moves from wing to full-back and Conor Trainor starts at number 14.
Their coach former All Blacks fullback Kieran Crowley has exceeded expectation by lifting his team to a win over Tonga and a draw with Japan leaving them in a good position to gain third spot in the pool and automatic entry to the next Rugby World Cup in 2015.
For Canada I have been impressed by loose forward and bearded beast Adam Kleeberger and centre DTH Van Der Merwe.
I think there will be some sore bodies taking the field for Canada and even more leaving the field after being taught a lesson by the home team. It is always a great experience to play the best players in the world and Canada will give it their all, but it won't be enough.
New Zealand should win by 75 points.
All Blacks to face Canada
Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava.
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Conor Trainor, 13 DTH Van Der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (c), 1 Hubert Buydens. Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Andrew Tiedemann, 19 Tyler Hotson, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Sean White, 22 Nathan Hirayama.
Date: Sunday, October 1 Kick-off: 15. 30 (02.30 GMT) Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium Referee: Romain Poite (France)
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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