Teams Anounced for This Weekend's Clash

The expected three changes to the Wallabies team were anounced today. Phil Waugh, Jeremey Paul, and Clyde Rathbone are the changes to the starting side. No surprises there, all three changes were tipped during the week and have come to fruition. I am surprised by the inclusion of Waugh over Smith. Smith has been said to be out of form and not at the top of his game, but he consistently harassed the All Blacks, and while they weren't quite frustrated enough by his efforts to tear their own hair out, they had a fair crack at his! Waugh is a sound replacement, but if it were up to me, I'd have Smith in there still. Rathbone and Paul are good changes that shoud assist the side with their game this weekend.

In a much bolder move, the All Blacks have anounced their team today, and Isaia Toeava has been named to start at centre, with Mils moving back to full back, and McDonald moving to the bench. Clearly these are not changes that are made in line with a rotational selection policy. Firstly, there are only three, and secondly there is only one new player coming in to try a new position. Toeava is a full back normally during the Super 14 and it will be interesting to see how he handles big time test match rugby out of position. I think that the Wallabies will be looking to exploit his inexperience, and it remains to be seen if he is up to the challenge. Keep an eye on this area of the game, it will be crucial I am sure. But let's not get too carried away, if Toeava is shown up, I am sure that a switch between him and Mils will be on the cards, after all, he is a full back and Mils is now the incumbent centre.

Elsewhere Howlett comes in from Rico Gear on the wing. This change must surely be one of the last attempts Howlett will have to justify his place in the side. He will need to have a good game to show that he can expect to be in the frame come world cup time next year. He had a poor Super 14, and has given up incumbent status to Gear. I'll be looking forward to seeing if Howlett can get his act together and produce some of the class that made him so exciting to watch early on in his career.

Hooray! Mullet man is back in at lock for the Clown. In case you're not familiar with the nomenclature I've employed, I am referring to Jason Eaton coming in for Ali Williams. I think that this might be a reflection of the poor performance at lineout time the All Blacks showed in Brisbane against the Wallabies. While the lineout was shaky in the first Bledisloe Cup match, Eaton did win all the balls that were thrown to him, and the All Blacks did not lose any on their own throws. I think that this is a good decision, and could lead to some competition for the black hersey amongst the forwards. We are weak in the lineout, and guys like Williams need reminding that they need to be on top of their game, especially in the lineout, if they are going to play for the national team. A good call, and with Williams on the bench, you can be sure that he will get some game time during the second half, or earlier if Eaton doesn't perform.

Lastly, Weepu comes back in for Cowan and replaces him on the bench. Not much in this change, Cowan is clearly the third string half back for the team. He's good to have as back up, and has a lot of room to improve. The other two will need to keep a look out over their shoulders to see what he is up to. Isn't this the way that it should be in the national side though? This seems to me to be the main strength of New Zealand rugby - the depth of players in each position (with the possible exception of centre). The Wallabies on the other hand do not have so many class players to chose from - who is there to replace Larkham as a first rate first five in Australia? There are some sniffing around, but the Wallabies are nowhere near as well served as the All Blacks are with Carter and McAlister.

Where New Zealand is lacking is in the top two inches. It has been so long since we saw a clearly set up, well rehearsed back line move yield any points for an All Black team that I for one am beginning to wonder if they can do it. I hope that the art of using the ball to beat the man is not dead, and that the All Black backs know how to create and build pressure to get over the line, and create space out wide. So far in the Tri-Nations there has been no evidence to suggest that they do. Instead, and it is to be expected, they have followed a Crusaders style of play that relies on punishing defence until the opposition gives away possession and scoring from the counter attack. What I want to know is why are they confining themselves to scoring from the counter attack? Why not build your own attack as well and create pressure? I sincerely hope that this deficiency is overcome prior to Rugby World Cup 2007 or the All Blacks may find it very tough at semi-final stage.

The media seem to be coming to the party, and winding up for the game this weekend. The Aussies seem to have realised that griping about the poor game their team put on against the Africans is irrelevant this week. This week they are in Auckland. Up against the All Blacks. A home game. Rest assured there will be a test match atmosphere at this game. Both teams play an expansive game and running rugby is what they do best. Expect less kicks, expect more running and more hit ups. All Blacks to dominate up front, Wallabies to have the edge in the backs. The Wallabies will want the win more, for the All Blacks the cup is in the bag, but for the Wallabies they will be wanting to silence their critics in Australia. I think we can expect a
real hum dinger!