All Blacks announce team to play France

NZ Rugby’s 3 wise men have named their team to take on France this weekend; in it is one new All Black and a new captain.

The mighty NZ team has a freshness about it, struck with a series of injuries to the core team of the past seasons, this weekend will test the wisdom of the NZ coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith.

There is still plenty of super grunt in the team that makes oppositions eyes water at the sight of them, but in this team are some new boys that will be under the spotlight. Firstly is new taxi off the rank and All Black number 1088, Isaac Ross. This lad is made up of 118 KG of prime NZ rugby beef and he towers at 1.99mtrs, he may be new to test matches but he has had a mighty super 14 buildup this year to earn his test jersey. Beside him will be the rock of the NZ pack Brad Thorn, this will add concrete to the pack and put Isaac in familiar scenes beside his mate.

The AB’s have got a tremendous record under the captaincy of Ritchie, he is on the sidelines for a bit and the genius at full back Mils Muliaina takes on the reins of the team. His leadership of the Chiefs didn’t interrupt his prowess in the super 14 and this extra responsibility should only make him shine more.

Front row master Tony Woodcock will play his 50th Test; beside him will be mobile Andrew Hore and beast Neemia Tialata. With these guys up front and the Crusaders duo behind the AB’s pack should be moving forward. This will be an order that forwards coach Steve Hansen has put out, as the back 3 loosies are a relatively new bunch in the test match scene. They ooze talent, but they are newbie’s at this level. Liam Messam and Adam Thomson come from a Sevens background and will ensure speed at the breakdowns, Kieran Read will be their other hunting partner at blindside & offer reliability and hight.

Receiving the ball from the hard working forwards will be Jimmy Cowan and Stephen Donald, again this is young combination & they too will be aiming to stamp their mark on the international stage. After their hands touch the pill the Island missile Ma’a Nonu gets a shot, one out from him is Isaia Toeava. There is 2 ways you can look at this backline, some say young and untested, some say very very scary. Looking to fly out wide is the proven Josevata Rokocoko, he always seems to glide in the super 14, but absolutely propel in a black jersey. On the other wing is Rudi Wulf, again critics quickly rip into him, but this man has a knack of being in the right place at the right time, further to this he almost always does the right thing when he is there.

The tail to this team is Mr Mils Muliaina, he has 68 tests to his name so far and he will direct traffic from his preferred spot. He will be keen to aid the new boys and cause havoc as he slices in on an angle to receive passes from the centers.

Waiting in the reserves is Cool Hands Luke McAlister, he has done his northern stint and with an injury to Richard Kahui it has seen him jump right back into contention. Sitting on that reserve bench will add a heap of experience to the AB's if Mr Henry needs it and with his kicking and torpedo legs he will for sure make a cameo appearance when given his chance.

New Zealand teams have a habit of being world champions in between world cups. This team has a whole lot of new with some serious experience, this hit out against France will be the first real look at where NZ’s future lies.

The team is:

1. Tony Woodcock

2. Andrew Hore

3. Neemia Tialata

4. Brad Thorn

5. Isaac Ross

6. Kieran Read

7. Adam Thomson

8. Liam Messam

9. Jimmy Cowan

10. Stephen Donald

11. Rudi Wulf

12. Ma’a Nonu

13. Isaia Toeava

14. Josevata Rokocoko

15. Mils Muliaina – captain

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu

17. John Afoa

18. Bryn Evans

19. Tanerau Latimer

20. Piri Weepu

21. Luke McAlister

22. Cory Jane