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Message: <blockquote data-quote="skywalker" data-source="post: 2337049" data-attributes="member: 38393">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 Woodcock2. Andrew Hore3. Greg Somerville4. Brad Thorn5. Ali Willliams6. Adam Thomson7. Rodney So’oialo (c)8. Jerome Kaino9. Andy Ellis10. Dan Carter11. Rudi Wulf12. Ma’a Nonu13. Conrad Smith14. Sitiveni Sivivatu15. Mils MuliainaReserves:16. Keven Mealamu17. Neemia Tialata18. Anthony Boric19. Sione Lauaki20. To be named21. Stephen Donald22. Leon MacDonald</blockquote>

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