RWC - The A Games with Shaggy (NZ vs Canada)

[Getofmeland]

The A games with Shaggy – New Zealand V Canada, Sunday 2nd October, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Wow, is it the end of pool play already – it only seems like three weeks since the opening match was played.

By the time New Zealand and Canada face off in the last game of pool A at Wellington's Westpac stadium, the placing in this pool will have been already determined. That is unless Canada manages what would probably be the greatest upset in World cup history, and manages to beat the All Blacks.
While I'm sure that Canada will give the All Blacks a torrid time in some facets of the game, current form suggests that anything other than a convincing win to New Zealand, is an unlikely result.

Given that the quarter finals are just around the corner, and the short turn around between Canada's last match and this one, it will be interesting to see how the respective coaches approach their team selections.

All of the press releases that I've read so far indicate that the only player in the All Black camp that is unavailable due to injury, is utility back, Richard Kahui, who has a minor hamstring strain.

We did see a couple of injuries to the outside backs in the All Blacks match with France, that, although not deemed serious, may tempt the selectors to rest either Israel Dagg or Cory Jane or both.

This may open the door for Mils Muliaina to be selected at full back, and perhap Isaia Toeava, Zac Guildford, or even Sonny-Bill Williams a start on the wing.

There will undoubtedly be changes in the forwards as New Zealand can now field their strongest trio of loose forwards for the first time in the tournament. Number 8, Keiran Read is now available, and I would expect that he will start, and probably get around 60 minutes of game time.

The temptation must also be there, to rest Jerome Kaino, who has played all of the games so far. This probably won't happen though, because the selectors will want to give McCaw, Kaino, and Read game time together before the quarter finals.

I don't expect too many other changes to the All Blacks playing personnel, as the indications are that the best side will take the field from here on in.

What Canada does in terms of team selection, will also be interesting.

Will coach Keiran Crowley ring the changes?

The first choice players have had a heavy workload, and he may be tempted to give some of his up and coming players an opportunity, or he might ask for one last big effort from his experienced players.

Personally, from a fans perspective, I hope he does the later – I'd love to see Kleeberger, O'Toole, and Sinclair, do battle with the All Black loose trio, or DTH van der Merwe match up against Conrad Smith.

I'd expect that the All Blacks will look for continuity of play, and improvement in playing combinations in this match, and that Canada will look to keep the game close, and to gain further respect.

I said further respect, because Canada, along with Japan, and Tonga, have already gained the respect of the rugby public following pool A. They all have demonstrated that the gap between the top nations, and the next teir has lessened, and they've played entertaining rugby along the way.

My prediction is that the All Blacks will win by 30 – 40 points

Blog by Shaggy