New Zealand are going to give their second stringers a run against the Barbarians in their tour-ending festive match at Twickenham on Saturday.
Despite the prospect of conceded their unbeaten status on the six-match year-end trip – which include victories against Australia, Wales, Italy, England and France – assistant coach Steve Hansen confirmed that the back-up squad will feature in London.
The All Blacks headed to London on Monday without Brad Thorn and Andy Ellis, who were both given leave to return home to their young families after the 39-12 win over France at the weekend, while Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Jimmy Cowan and Kieran Read fulfilled sponsor’s commitments in Germany.
Few, if any of the top side who were so impressive in scoring five-tries-to-none at Stade Velodrome will back up at Twickenham on Saturday, with most of the team who scrambled home against Italy in Milan getting their chance to say “don’t forget me” to Graham Henry’s coaching panel.
“We talked about it last night, it’s about respecting the guys who didn’t play. There’s a group who’ll get an opportunity against the Barbarians and they’ve worked hard to help this team win test matches in this campaign,” assistant coach Steve Hansen told NZPA.
“It’s now the turn of the people that aren’t playing that have done the donkey work up until now to show their respect and prepare well.”
No.8 Rodney So’oialo, now clearly behind Read in the pecking order, will likely lead the side again with fringe men such as Jason Eaton, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Mike Delany, Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith returning.
Go barbaarjanne!!
Im going to this game with Carol, 4man etc. Cant wait!
With Gitau at 10 the Baabaas are gonna be firing! Not like Fransie last year who kept all the ball for himself!
This throws the cat amongst the pigeons a bit as far as predicting winners are concerned for the Baabaas match….
Will have to wait to see the team sheets and then make a comparative analysis…
So basically this will be a Rest of the World Baabaas vs an All Blacks Baabaas team….
Pity we will not see a full strenght NZ team. They were awesome against France.
Ja, thats lekker, means the youngsters will go for it. It will be a good game.
It seems to me that while NZ know who their second team is and have managed their first and second team well on their tour, our coach is “calling for carefull management of our players”
Simply put, NZ, France and to an extent Aussie are a number of steps ahead of us in their player identification and management process.
Dunno whats wrong with the site, I have to log in everytime!!!
tight head
We are too much occupied with wining games. It’s a Saffa thing.
I also see that Divvi talks as if his wc team has already been decided. A good idea? Don’t like it.
Players should never be in a comfort zone, especially Saffa palyers.
9
Sjoe ek weet nie , die span moet vernuwe en die game plan moet uitgebrei word, nuwe idees, nuwe hulp afrigters.
Ek dink die jaar se sukses het hom nou in n comfort zone geplaas.
Comment from Bryan Habana in London :
“It’s a bit tough after having seen what they did to France last weekend. South Africa got team of the year but New Zealand are probably playing the best rugby out of all the teams at the moment.”
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