Ugh, naming teams until Thursday is a lame and paranoid policy by Hansen. Hope it doesn't become the norm, as the extra day is hardly likely to give much extra time for a team to change a game plan, and frankly there is unlikely to be any big suprises anyway. For the All Blacks, I can see this team - (first name most likely)
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore/Hika Elliot
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn (50th Cap)
5. Sam Whitelock/Tom Donnelly
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieren Read
9. Jmmy Cowan/Alby Mathewson
10. Daniel Carter
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma'a Nonu/Sonny Bill Williams
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane/Isia Toeava
15. Mils Muliaina
16. Hika Elliot/Andrew Hore
17. John Afoa
18. Tom Donnelly/Anthony Boric
19. Liam Messam
20. Alby Mathewson/Andy Ellis
21. Stephen Donald
22. Isia Toeava/Cory Jane
For the front row, the All Blacks will want to keep their front row pretty much the same. Afoa will likely provide conver from the bench as he can pack both sides of the scum and play hooker if all goes very wrong, with the only possible mix up I'd imagine is if Elliot starts over Hore. Elliot had a good test debut, but I'd imagine Hore will get the start now seeing he's pretty much the incumbant.
For the locks, I can't see Thorn being left out so the only possible swap would be to see Donnelly move into lock, as he hasn't had much time on the field since the Australia test. If Whitelock is left out, I see him being totally out of the 22 for a rest, with the most average lock in New Zealand (Boric) perhaps taking a seat on the bench. If Whitelock starts, I see Donnelly getting the bench spot, seeing as he was out of the 22 last week.
Kaino hasn't had as much game time as he'd have liked so far, so I can't see them leaving him out. McCaw will earn his 93rd Cup making him the highest capped All Black along with Mils. Read will start at 8 as usual. The bench spot for flanker will almost certainly go to Messam, as I can't see Daniel Braid getting any game time when McCaw is breaking such a mile stone, plus Messam can cover the other two loose forward positions.
Half back is almost anyones guess, but I can't see Ellis getting a starting spot, unless the coaches are high as a kite. I'd imagine they'll go with Jimmy Cowan, as I think they'll try and play it a bit safer, with Mathewson being a strong impact sub off the bench. If you have Cowan and Ellis on the team as they did on Saturday/Sunday morning, I see Carter getting the ball 2 mintues after it's left the ruck for a second match in a row.
Carter will start. If they trust Donald with a test start, then they're fools. I think Henry will actually do the right thing, and give McCaw and Muliaina a chance for a win in such a big game for them. Though Henry has made worse decisions, so there is a small change they'll start Donald, which will make O'Gara (or better yet Sexton) look like a god.
After Sonny Bill Williams has started two test matches, I think he'll give Nonu a chance to show why he is the incumbant. Nonu was the only player not sub'd on verse Scotland, so I see him getting a start. I predict a Nonu/Smith combo, which will push Sonny Bill Williams out of the 22 if Cory Jane returns. The other option, which I think is a salid one, is to try a SBW/Nonu combo, with Nonu at center. I can't see SBW moved back to Center after Saturday/Sunday's game, but I can see Nonu unleashing hell when on the front foot and receiving SBW pop passes. Maybe a bit too risky to try, and I think Smith's place is pretty solid considering he makes both of them play at their bests. Just a thought for the last untested mid field combo.
In the backline, I think Mils is a given for fullback considering it's his record breaking test. Hope he has a very good, unselfish game. I'd imagine Cory Jane will be fully fit to start on the right wing, but they may decide to keep him on the bench to make sure he's not further injured. I'm not sure if Rokocoko will be back, but I don't think he'll be in the 22. Small chance he'll start on the either wing. I'd imagine Toeava will either be starting on the right wing or be on the bench, depending on where Cory Jane is. Hosea Gear is pretty much a certainty to start at 11. The only way he wont be selected is through injury, or Henry wants to give Rokocoko a run.
Not much of a prediction, but a load of guesses. But either way, I can't see a team prepearing differently for any if the changes (unless Donald or Ellis start, in which the Irish boys will be having a booze up the night before, and placing a great deal of money on Ireland winning 12+).
