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[P] All Blacks vs. France

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rhizome17

Fan Favourite
The team has been annouced:

Mitchell Names Four Changes
24/06/2003 07:36 PM
IRN

There are four changes to the All Blacks side for Saturday's test against France in Christchurch.

Coach John Mitchell has replaced the front row with Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver and Dave Hewett coming back into the side.

Richie McCaw replaces Marty Holah on the flank.

The back line is the same as the one that lined up against Wales.

The full team is Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine in the backs. The forwards are Jerry Collins, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Carlos, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver and Dave Hewett.

The reserves are Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger, Byron Kelleher, Brad Thorn, Marty Holah, Keven Mealamu and Kees Meeuws.

Rodney So'oialo, Ma'a Nonu, Leon MacDonald and Carl Hoeft have been left out of the squad.

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Anton Oliver didn't look great against England, so will need a good game here to cement his place ahead of Mealamu. Kees Meeuws did have a great game versus Wales, but needs to be tested against better opposition. And good on Mitchell for not changing that fantast backline that tore Wales to shreds.This game will lack the intense buildup that the England game had, but there is that small matter of a certain World Cup game from four years ago...
 
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rhizome17

Fan Favourite
well, I think that HE thinks it is the best team at the moment, although I would disagree...on a couple of players, anyway. I need to see Oliver a bit more, and I am not totally convinced by Ali Williams.
 
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rhizome17

Fan Favourite
Reuben Thorne :kader: What were you thinking. A captain should never be sinbinned for something so stupid :kader:

All in all, what a shambles. Yes, the AB's won, but not very convincingly at all. Yes, the backline were superb at times, not least Rokocoko, three tries to the speedster.

But come on, why persist in playing Oliver when someone like Mealamu is waiting in the wings. Mealamu made as much ground in his first run as Oliver made in the entire time he was on the field, and his throws were 100% more accurate than Olivers. Get Mealamu in the starting lineup NOW!
Brad Thorne looks the goods as well, I am still not certain that Ali Williams is the man needed in tight games.

I hope Jerry Collins' injury is not too bad, as he is superb at number 8. And Kees Meuws should start as well.

As for Thorne, give the captaincy to Umaga... he has really matured of late.

We can't keep selecting these Crusaders and Highlanders for sentiments sake. Pick the ones that are good (Carter, Thorne etc.) but PLEASE some of these guys are yesterdays men.
 
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