ABs team for Argentina named

Sorry, was on my smartphone so havnt posted the link yet.

http://www.allblacks.com/news/17693/All-Blacks-team-to-play-Argentina-named.
Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (80)
2. Keven Mealamu (89)
3. Owen Franks (28)
4. Samuel Whitelock (22)
5. Brad Thorn (56)
6. Jerome Kaino (45)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (100)
8. Kieran Read (33)
9. Piri Weepu (53)
10. Colin Slade (9)
11. Sonny Bill Williams (11)
12. Ma’a Nonu (63)
13. Conrad Smith (52)
14. Cory Jane (28)
15. Mils Muliaina (99)

Reserves:

16. Andrew Hore (59)
17. Ben Franks (14)
18. Ali Williams (70)
19. Victor Vito (11)
20. Jimmy Cowan (50)
21. Aaron Cruden (6)
22. Isaia Toeava (35)

Dagg Guilford Kahui not considered for injury.

Owen Franks I meant...SBW on wing...
Smartphones don't make people using them very smart...

No Franks?

Both Franks brothers picked,Owen starting no sign of Adam Thomson,three outside backs missing.Injured or being protected?
Vito,Hore,Ali Williams,Ben Franks,Toeva,Crudon,,COWAN?!!!are the bench
Underestimating Argentina helps no one,it looks a strong time on paper
but no out and wing remains for AB`s
Is it time for replacements?SBW may get found out on the wing certainly if they get past Argentina.
Bit fed up with the double speak ,players available selection one minute,not considered the next.
Either they are fit or ctocked,if the latter get replacements in now.

Em, Nonu on the wing instead of SBW?!

There's a link here

Apologies...amended the post...

Thats right Alan they should just play them into the ground like your Oz team- "Pick the best team' you said.

Now look at them...the worst for injuries in the entire cup.

methinks others know more about player management than you do..

It looks like the way that the team as been picked, that Abs believe the game is already won before they even kick off.

Taken it for granted the your team is better than the other team you are playing against,is maybe asking for trouble.

I think the ABs will win I mean it will be very tough and close for a while but I would expect the ABs to win by 15-20 points

AB's will win comfortably. Even with no DC and SBW out of position on the wing they will have too much for Argentina.

Taylorman,you miss my point,player management?we have`nt seen the same team two games running.
Of course the coaches no better than me,thats what they are paid for.
In the past the most settled team has won the RWC.
The point is are these injured,or could they play?if they can`t then surely
replacements are needed.
This year super 15 finished a fortnight before 3Ns finished a fortnight before
RWC.
ALL the SANZAR nations have had to manage there players work loads,SA resting the away games was the way to go.
BUT even they have lost key players too it is obvious,there is no right or wrong ways of managing it.
My point being you get things like,they trained well,they are available,then it is they are not considered.
IF they are injured say so end of story,my very real worry they are
underestimating Argentina.SBW is a great player but he is a tyro at wing,and argentina have a tricky little bugger there.
In 2007 they underestimated France ,Mauger and Howlett sat in the stands.
Taylorman you agreed with me earlier start your best team,now changed your tune?
Don`t worry i`m as nervous as you much as I hate RWC`s I want to win this one.I may not live at my age to see another.
But one jarring note Jimmy Cowan? he is in dreadful form if he get`s on and throws a hospital pass/.
Like he did against Canada 4 more years of choking jibes.What`s happened to Thomson ?if he`s crocked they could get Todd in.

Rumours that Weepu is out after injuring his knee. Nothing confirmed yet.

So who is missing from the best team Alan, assuming no one is pulling leg over injuries. How do you pick a best team when there are injuries. I fail to understand that one logical point. Dagg would be at fullback, kahui would be on one wing and jane on the other. The rest is what they see is the best team.

Or is it just not your best team (again)? Perhaps they think Vito is better cover than Thompson?

For once can you not have something positive to say cos its getting really silly.
Not one favourable comment in your post above- still seems like you against the world Alan.

For my liking, this team will NAIL Argentina, probably by more than 20- more likely 30, so if anyone is underestimating them, I sure aint.

Might be rubbish to you but I called it 'support'.

As for this..."SBW may get found out on the wing certainly if they get past Argentina"

I doubt it...but think of what he could do in the position

Mills is on 99 caps...! Wow

Positive right,Thomson as far as I can see is a non starter Vito did really well
versus Canada.
The pack is really strong ,the strongest available no problems what ever.
Vito may well be a better cover for McCaw.
You want to hear some thing positive ,read Teds latest comments,expect
a more kicking game for territory.Playing the game in the othersides half.
Not trying passing rushes from inside your own 22.for your information the last 3 occassions Argentina met NZ.Was a draw,a win by 2points,and a win by 6 points.
I NEVER underestimate the other side,read what the veterans of 1987 said
we did`nt think about the next game we just went out and played.
I`ll be honest I don`t know the best backline with Carter out probably Muliana,Dagg,and Guildford.Mils for his extra experience,Dagg because you can`t leave him out.Guildford because he works well with his Hawkes Bay buddy,and like The Rock used to .He gets involved creating chances not just sits on his wing.
The comments about SBW are those voiced by expert ex players I`ve read not just my own.
He has loads of experiece in midfield but little on the wing and that makes me nervous.
On present form Ellis must have wondered what he has to do,he can`t be worse than Cowan on recent form.
Yes,I expect a win but not by 20-30 points by,a couple with no more injuries will do nicely .
My support they never need doubt and THAT is not rubbish that is FACT.

Most passionate Englishman I've read.

Thats better...wasnt hard now was it...

Mind you if we win by a couple we wont win this tournament.

With SBW he's got big game nouse from League- as does Thorn- and it shows. Has hardy put a foot wrong and has a lot of potential. he hasnt the rugby positional awareness but he makes up for it other areas. He'll be fine. In fact one of these days he'll be the talking point bagain- perhaps this one.

maestegmafia wrote:Mills is on 99 caps...! Wow

Great to see him reach the century of caps. Great player and one of the best full backs over the last number of years.

Not seen the Argentina team yet but my guess is that Contepomi will try putting a few kicks SBW's way, maybe turn him and try and put him under some pressure but agree with Taylorman - he has plenty about him to deal with it, especially with Muliaina playing along side him helping him with positioning etc.

Thought SBW looked pretty good on the wing when he came on against France, solid in defence and came in-field looking for work. Don't think it will be his best position in union but he will certainly do a job there and he's one of the few players I'd be happy to try in another position if it gets him on the field. As much as I`m not a huge fan of him personally I certainly appreciate his skills and ability, especially against tight & solid defences.

I wonder if he will swap with Nonu in some pre-planned offensive moves during the game itself?

No chance of a swap b9.
Abs tight 5, loosies, midfield are the cornerstone of this team.
There is so much talent available back 3 that GH is able to move them around.
Teams looking very solid.

Well i think NZ will win by 38-45 points.

Be interesting to see how the massive SBW does up against the little speedsters Argentina normally field on the wing. Camacho, Amorosino and Agulla all have bags of pace, decent hand offs (well awesome hand offs in Agulla's case) and all tend to bounce through tackles like some demented childs toy. SBW could have real problems dealing with their quick feet and mazy running. On the other hand he'll probabley just run straight over them in attack.

SBW has some serious toe, I don't think it will be much of a match up to be honest.

emack2 wrote:Both Franks brothers picked,Owen starting no sign of Adam Thomson,three outside backs missing.Injured or being protected?
Vito,Hore,Ali Williams,Ben Franks,Toeva,Crudon,,COWAN?!!!are the bench
Underestimating Argentina helps no one,it looks a strong time on paper
but no out and wing remains for AB`s
Is it time for replacements?SBW may get found out on the wing certainly if they get past Argentina.
Bit fed up with the double speak ,players available selection one minute,not considered the next.
Either they are fit or ctocked,if the latter get replacements in now.

HENRY, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY CALL UP HOSEA GEAR. PLEASE.

We had something like 8 wings competing for 2 spots, through utter mis-management we've ended up with no wings at all.

TheGreyGhost wrote:

emack2 wrote:Both Franks brothers picked,Owen starting no sign of Adam Thomson,three outside backs missing.Injured or being protected?
Vito,Hore,Ali Williams,Ben Franks,Toeva,Crudon,,COWAN?!!!are the bench
Underestimating Argentina helps no one,it looks a strong time on paper
but no out and wing remains for AB`s
Is it time for replacements?SBW may get found out on the wing certainly if they get past Argentina.
Bit fed up with the double speak ,players available selection one minute,not considered the next.
Either they are fit or ctocked,if the latter get replacements in now.

HENRY, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY CALL UP HOSEA GEAR. PLEASE.

We had something like 8 wings competing for 2 spots, through utter mis-management we've ended up with no wings at all.

He's got the perfect opportunity, Guildford down injured. Please Ted, make the phone call to Wellington.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Be interesting to see how the massive SBW does up against the little speedsters Argentina normally field on the wing. Camacho, Amorosino and Agulla all have bags of pace, decent hand offs (well awesome hand offs in Agulla's case) and all tend to bounce through tackles like some demented childs toy. SBW could have real problems dealing with their quick feet and mazy running. On the other hand he'll probabley just run straight over them in attack.

Amorosino is a revolving door in defence against anyone...in some ways Nonu will be watsted running against him since even Tony Underwood could have bulldozed him.

TheGreyGhost wrote:
HENRY, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY CALL UP HOSEA GEAR. PLEASE.

Please don't!

I fail to see majestic how this is not taking Argentina seriously. We are hanging on in here with the number of injuries we have. Thomson, Kahui, Dagg seem like genuine injuries to me. Other than that looks like the A squad to me. We might have a late pull out yet from McCaw or if he does play and we get an early lead I expect to see him subbed off.

I agree, if Guilford is injured then get rid of him. Bring in somebody like Gear. Swallow your pride. SBW is not a genuine winger. He´s a guy who comes off the bench and plays where the best means of attack is. Corey Flynn has been a passenger so get rid of him while you´re at it and for me bring in a guy like Matt Todd as we are thin on backrow options. I don´t know what the fitness levels of Todd or Gear are like but if you´ve got an injury rule like this why not use it to your advantage. If McCaw looks as dodgy as he does then why not bring in some more loose options?

For the love of all that is good, please don´t put Weepu to flyhalf at halftime and bring on Cowan. Cowan shouldn´t even be on the bench. Put your faith in these two starters where they are - slade and weepu - and give them some time together. Have some confidence in Slade and don´t chuck him on the wing or fullback. If he´s on the field, keep him at flyhalf. He won´t get confidence from playing on the wing.

The others have to lift their game to protect this kid or at least make life easy for him. Good to see Mils get his 100th test. A cynic might say Dagg could´ve played and Muliaina is getting his 100th test now before his farewell to Japan but I don´t know the real story so thank you for 100 games of service Mils and respect to you. Ka pai bro.

I just hope we get through unscathed and Slade gets a full game and gets some confidence. I think we have too much for Argentina in the backs but let´s use this as perfect practice in the forwards to get angry and dominate the set piece. I have every confidence the boys can do it. But we could do with some good luck for a change and get through this with no more injured.

kia kaha

Kia for AB coach.

TheGreyGhost wrote:Kia for AB coach.

+1

Hey,foul when i suggest bringing in reinforcements i`m negative someone else does it he`s a hero.
Thomson seems unlikely to play again,Todd as a back up for Richie is sensible now.[goes away to sulk]

Fair enough alan. I hadnt considrered the bench.
For me things look ok. Im ok with sbw where he is because i like to see potential reailsed.
Gear maybe too late. Our tight 5 look sorted. Read and kaino are there. Smith and nonu are solid. Key conbinations are in place and i see no reason to panic.

I agree about Todd and Gear. Get em in. SBW can tear Argentina apart but either SA or Aussie know how to exploit poor positional play and I'm sure SBW will make a few mistakes on the wing when it matters in that regard.

Dagg awesome as he is seems a bit injury prone like Kahui. Either way we're blessed to have Mils as well. Great player and he's added a lot to the jersey's legacy too.

Finally, if Weepu and Slade are the preferred combo, play them the full bloody game. They should be fit enough to last the 80 and if not they don't deserve to be there. We need the combination more settled. Cowan has been crap this cup so I'd lean towards Ellis as his pass is better and Slade needs all the time he can get.