All Blacks v Fiji at Carisbrook. 22/07/11, 7.35pm (NZT).

[Darwin]

The All Blacks kick of their 2011 international season in a few days time versus Fiji in Dunedin. It is likely to be a cold (possibly damp) night in Dunedin, which will not favour the Fijian's traditional running game. However, I'm sure the All Blacks would have taken notice of Australia's upset loss to Samoa, so will not be taking the match lightly.

The Fiji team has been announced:
Iliesa Keresoni, Vereniki Goneva, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai, Vitori Buatava, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), Seko Kalou, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Deacon Manu, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu.
Reserves: Setefano Samoca, Viliame Veikoso, Rupeni Nasiga, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Ranuku, Taniela Rawaqa, Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei (two to be omitted)

The All Blacks side is expected to be named today. Several players have already been ruled out with injury, and it has been suggested that many of the Crusaders (and possibly) Blues players who have had big work-loads during the season (e.g. Thorn, Read, Mealamu, Afoa et. al.) may be rested for this match, so we will likely see a mixture of first-choice and second-choice players in the starting XV when it is named today.

 

[markshaw]

Napolioni Nalaga is the only threat at all to us I beleive , I've never heard of 95% of their players. That Samoan team are household names. Anything less then 50 points would be a tad disapointing

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Waiting to see the ABs side, but Fiji will win by <10

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I thought Manu was Fiji's captain?

 

[Darwin]

I thought Manu was Fiji's captain?

Not sure what the story is there - Manu is normally the captain when he's playing. Waqaniburotu has captained Fiji before (most recently v Japan when Manu was rested), but I would have thought Manu would have taken back the captaincy.

 

[Larksea]

All Black side? My understanding is that it will be named tomorrow morning,

1, Crockett
2, Mealamu
3, John Afoa
4, Jared Hoeata
5, Ali Williams
6, Jerome Kaino
7, McCaw (c)
8, Liam Messam
9, Piri Weepu
10, Colin Slade
11, Zac Guildford
12, Ma'a Nonu
13, Conrad Smith
14, Ben Smith
15, Mills

16, The Hore man 17, Ben Franks 18, Brad Thorn 19, Adam Thompson 20, Jimmy 21, Dan 22, Sonny

I know they want to rest crusaders but because of injuries Crockett & Guildford may have to start. Though it just may be that Sivivatu is ok and gets a run at 11. McCaw will get as much gametime as he can since he's had so little this year.

Important games for Messam, Thompson, Hoeata and Ben Smith. Sivivatu to if he's in.

Highlight for me is Ali Williams back in black.

Gotta like the cut of Hoeata's jib. I am a huge supporter of Boric but Hoeata is the kind of player that could take his chance with the AB's in a big way and make it very hard for Boric to get back in.

My concern: Colin slade kicking for goal.

 

[Larksea]

Napolioni Nalaga is the only threat at all to us I beleive , I've never heard of 95% of their players. That Samoan team are household names. Anything less then 50 points would be a tad disapointing

I know a few of those names. Biggest one outside the captian is Deacon Manu. He's a kiwi who was pretty big in NZ for quite a while with Waikato & the chiefs. Was in the NZ Maori team and was very close to all black selection under John Mitchell before he went overseas. He was very good at scrum time back in the day.

 

[Darwin]

All Black side? My understanding is that it will be named tomorrow morning,

1, Crockett
2, Mealamu
3, John Afoa
4, Jared Hoeata
5, Ali Williams
6, Jerome Kaino
7, McCaw (c)
8, Liam Messam
9, Piri Weepu
10, Colin Slade
11, Zac Guildford
12, Ma'a Nonu
13, Conrad Smith
14, Ben Smith
15, Mills

16, The Hore man 17, Ben Franks 18, Brad Thorn 19, Adam Thompson 20, Jimmy 21, Dan 22, Sonny

I know they want to rest crusaders but because of injuries Crockett & Guildford may have to start. Though it just may be that Sivivatu is ok and gets a run at 11. McCaw will get as much gametime as he can since he's had so little this year.

Important games for Messam, Thompson, Hoeata and Ben Smith. Sivivatu to if he's in.

Highlight for me is Ali Williams back in black.

Gotta like the cut of Hoeata's jib. I am a huge supporter of Boric but Hoeata is the kind of player that could take his chance with the AB's in a big way and make it very hard for Boric to get back in.

My concern: Colin slade kicking for goal.

I don't think Slade will be kicking for goal - he hasn't been kicking for Canterbury as he's been resting a groin injury. I don't think Weepu's been goal-kicking either since he's been back, so who will be kicking when Carter is off the field will be interesting. I'm expecting Carter to be starting in any case, with Slade being brought on early in the second half.


You are right, the team is not going to be named until tomorrow morning (not sure where I got the idea it was going to be named today). The front row makeup will be interesting as all the front-rowers have had quite a big work-load in Super Rugby. I would probably be inclined to go for the Franks brothers as the props, as they have actually played less minutes this season than Afoa or Crockett. I would probably go with Hore at hooker for the same reason. I would pick Hoeata and either Williams or Whitelock at lock - Hoeata started every game for the Highlanders, but has had a good rest over the last few weeks as the Highlanders weren't involved in the playoffs. The selectors may be tempted to pick Adam Thomson at 6 (if only to get more Otago/Highlanders supporters to the game!) but I think Kaino, McCaw, Messem looks the most likely trio. I'd start Cowan and Carter, with Weepu and Slade on the bench, but the rest of the team I'd pick the same as you.

 

[Larksea]

yeah you may be right, but I think they will rest as many Crusaders as they can. Afoa may have clocked up more minutes on the park due to the crusaders front row being so well managed & Rotated but the crusaders players have done so much travel this year and in that last few weeks they went NZ - SA - AUS - NZ and had 3 big games in less than 4 weeks and I think that's more of a factor. IMO the crusaders were obviously fatigued in that final, quite badly too.

 

[nickdnz]

It's not what I'd call Fiji's best squad, but it's certainly not as perdestrian as some New Zealanders think. The players I'd look out for are -

Napolioni Nalaga: (One of the best wings in the world in recent years, hasn't played any top level rugby since being stuck in Fiji and is playing for the Police team I believe. Most known for playing for Clermont)

Deacon Manu: Usually the captain, he used to play rugby in New Zealand before moving to the Scarlets, where he was considered to make his international debut for Wales.

Albert Vulivuli: Played a bit of a season for the Reds before moving to Racing Metro, was one of the stand outs on the 2010 EoYT.

Akapusi Qera: Probably the best flankers to come out of Fiji ever. Won Fiji player of the Year in 2006-2007 season and won Gloucester player of the year in 2009-2010 (after scoring two hatricks and Gloucester's second top try scorer). Had a bad run with injuries lately, but he's likely to impress this game.

Timoci Nagusa: Has had a big season for Montpellier, reaching the Top 14 final.

Seremaia Bai: One of the best 1st 5/8ths/Inside centres in France at the moment. He's playing for Castras, but has been playing for Clermont for the past four seasons.

I would have loved to have seen Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Vilimoni Delasau, Isa Nacewa and Sireli Bobo in the squad but I'd probably only pick Bobo and Nacewa on form. It seems a tad unfair that Fiji is having players pressured by their clubs to not play in the RWC.

 

[Darwin]

All Blacks side announced:

Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Smith, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, John Afoa, Corey Flynn

No surprises really given Henry had stated that many of the key Crusaders players were going to be rested. Slightly disappointed that Ben Smith didn't get the start over Sivivatu, but it was obvious Sivivatu was going to start after he trained with the first choice backline yesterday. Hopefully Smith gets some good game time off the bench in front of his home crowd. Given there is no other goal-kicker in the team it looks like Colin Slade may be taking the kicks. Looking foward to watching Hoeata on debut paired up with Ali Williams in his first game back for the AB's in a couple of years.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i want to see smith come on for mils anyway, see him where he really belongs

 

[Larksea]

yeah I'd rather see ben Smith get a run ahead of Sivivatu as well, and on 2nd thought Sam Whitelock does need gametime more than brad Thron rest is pretty much as expected. bring on friday!

 

[Darwin]

I just realised that there are 5 Highlanders in the All Blacks 22 (admittedly not a full strength 22) - I don't think we have had such a high number of Highlanders in All Blacks for almost 10 years!

The AB's should be too good in this game - despite not being full strength the All Blacks boast 531 caps amongst the starting lineup. Fiji generally play their best rugby on dry hard grounds with warm temperatures so they probably won't be at their best with the temperature not likely to be far above 0 degrees (it is forecast at this stage to be about 1-2 degrees...). I expect the AB's may be a bit rusty, and I'd expect they will play for territory early, with a lot of kicks in behind the Fijian backs for the likes of Zac Guildford to chase. If they manage to get themselves a good lead they may start to be a bit more expansive in the second half. Overall I'm picking a the AB's to have a comfortable win by about 50 points.

 

[DJRonStar]

Ben Smith is over rated. Hope he does get on so we can all see his frailties.

 

[nickdnz]

Happy with that squad to be honest. I hope Zac Guildford become the first player to be driven back 120m in a tackle, but other than that I'm pleased. Ben Smith should come on at fullback, not on the wing. He is clearly best at fullback. If there is a game Sitivini Sivivatu should fire, it will be against Fiji (his last game against them was his 4 try debut, and if it is expansive, he'll really benefit). I also really hope Wyatt Crockett has a cracker, as he should be able to terminate the Fijian scrum. I'm confident of a victory, especially after the Samoa result.

 

[Darwin]

Ben Smith is over rated. Hope he does get on so we can all see his frailties.

Have you actually watched the Highlanders this season - Smith has been outstanding all season. I would love to know what you perceive as his frailties.....

 

[nickdnz]

Have you actually watched the Highlanders this season - Smith has been outstanding all season. I would love to know what you perceive as his frailties.....

There is only one of him?

 

[Darwin]

There is only one of him?

haha.... Strangely there are actually two Ben Smiths in NZ rugby, both who started their careers in Otago. Unfortunately the older Ben Smith (who now plays for BOP) is not in the same class as the younger Ben Smith .....

 

[big ginger 8]

Is this being televised?

Also Nick it's Nacewa's choice if he plays for Fiji or not.