All Blacks coach Graham Henry says the Philips Tri Nations opener will be critical to the series: "South Africa has a very strong team right now and we have a huge challenge in front of us. We'll need a big step up from our performance in the Iveco Series to be competitive."
Lock Ali Williams is expected to start the match in what will be his 50th Test even though an ankle sprain has kept him from training in the first half of the week. “Ali is an experienced player and the limited preparation shouldn’t be an issue,” noted Henry. “We just need to get his ankle right first.”
Tickets remain available for the match despite rumours of a sell-out. “We’d welcome a full house,” said Henry “and the extra support against the Springboks.”
The reserve halfback will be named after today’s NZRU misconduct hearing involving Jimmy Cowan.
The Team:
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Greg Somerville
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Willliams
6. Adam Thomson
7. Rodney So’oialo (c)
8. Jerome Kaino
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Rudi Wulf
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Neemia Tialata
18. Anthony Boric
19. Sione Lauaki
20. To be named
21. Stephen Donald
22. Leon MacDonald
Lock Ali Williams is expected to start the match in what will be his 50th Test even though an ankle sprain has kept him from training in the first half of the week. “Ali is an experienced player and the limited preparation shouldn’t be an issue,” noted Henry. “We just need to get his ankle right first.”
Tickets remain available for the match despite rumours of a sell-out. “We’d welcome a full house,” said Henry “and the extra support against the Springboks.”
The reserve halfback will be named after today’s NZRU misconduct hearing involving Jimmy Cowan.
The Team:
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Greg Somerville
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Willliams
6. Adam Thomson
7. Rodney So’oialo (c)
8. Jerome Kaino
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Rudi Wulf
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Neemia Tialata
18. Anthony Boric
19. Sione Lauaki
20. To be named
21. Stephen Donald
22. Leon MacDonald
