Preview: All Blacks versus Fiji

www.allblacks.com, Sportal.co.nz and NZPA

We preview the first All Blacks test of 2011, the 'Clash for Canterbury' test, kicking off at 19.35 (NZT) at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin, the last international fixture at the famous 'House of Pain'.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 4, All Blacks 4, Fiji 0

LAST TIME: June 10, 2005 (Albany) – New Zealand 91-0 Fiji 0.

WALKING WOUNDED:
The All Blacks have had a few injury problems, but the main focus was the resting of the Crusaders players. It has been an intense schedule for the franchise, and some key players have since been rested. Andy Ellis, Sonny Bill Williams and Brad Thorn, amongst others, have been sent home to recover from a gruelling season.

There have been injuries alongside the players rested, including Cory Jane (finger), Richard Kahui (hamstring), Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle).

For the Fijians, the loss of playmaker Nicky Little is a huge blow, while Waisea Luveniyali's suspension hasn't helped the team's cause. Another veteran, lock Ifereimi Rawaqa, pulled out of the match with sickness.

FORM:

New Zealand
Won v Wales (a) 37-25
Won v Ireland (a) 38-18
Won v Scotland (a) 49-3
Won v England (a) 26-16
Lost v Australia (a) 24-26

Fiji
Lost v Japan 13-24 (h)
Won v Samoa 36-18 (h)
Lost v Tonga 21-45 (h)
Lost v Samoa 9-31 (a)
Won v Tonga 41-38 (a)

WHO'S HOT: There are so many to choose from but you can't go past arguably two of New Zealand's best-ever players in Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, who finds himself in the unusual position of the reserves bench. Two players to watch for are winger Zac Guildford and lock Jarrad Hoeata. Guildford has paved his way back into the side after a superb season with the travel-laden Crusaders, who made the final of the Super Rugby competition. Hoeata has shown enough in his debut season with the Highlanders to warrant a starting spot in the side, while Colin Slade makes his debut in the starting lineup. A lot of pressure will be riding on the young Cantabrian's shoulders and it will be interesting to see whether his solid kicking game will emerge.

For the Fijians, their strengths lie in their speedy wingers and strong front row, captained by prop Deacon Manu. Naipolioni Nalaga and Timoci Naqusa will be following in the footsteps of past speedsters Sireli Bobo and Rupeni Caucaunibuca. Castres first-five eighths Seremaia Bai will be looking to direct the side on attack, especially given his Kiwi counterpart has played the one Test. Fullback Iliesa Keresoni was a part of the Premiership-winning Saracens, and no doubt his experience with the English club has been picked apart by his team mates as they search for an unlikely result.

WE THINK: While Australia were found out by a passionate Samoa there shouldn't be a similar outcome in this match.

Fiji are a class below the All Blacks who, while fielding a young team, have experience throughout the lineup. Slade's inexperience is aided by the Ma'a Nonu-Conrad Smith combination outside of him, Hoeata's inexperience is aided by the presence of a 61-game veteran in Ali Williams.

To add to their woes, Carisbrook is scheduled to have true southern weather: Cold, wet and miserable. It's fitting, then, that the stadium that has been a fortress for the All Blacks for 103 years, will be sent off in typical fashion.

While the understrength All Blacks should be too strong for Fiji in this one, it will be the Canterbury region that will be the true victor in this clash.

TEAMS:

New Zealand: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Andrew Hore, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Liam Messam, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Colin Slade, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Zac Guildford, 15. Mils Muliaina Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. John Afoa, 18. Sam Whitelock, 19. Jerome Kaino, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Dan Carter, 22. Ben Smith

Fiji: 1.Campese Ma'afu, 2.Sunia Koto, 3.Deacon Manu (captain), 4.Sekonaia Kalou, 5.Rupeni Nasiga, 6.Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7.Akapusi Qera, 8.Sakiusa Matadigo, 9.Nemia Serelevu, 10.Seremaia Baikeinuku, 11.Naipolioni Nalaga, 12.Ravai Fatiaki, 13.Albert Vulivuli, 14.Timoci Naqusa, 15.Iliesa Keresoni. Reserves: 16.Viliame Veikoso, 17.Setefano Somoca, 18.Josefa Domolailai, 19.Malakai Ravulo, 20.Vitori Buatava, 21.Taniela Rawaqa, 22.Vereniki Goneva.

REFEREE: S Dickinson

New Zealand’s playing record at Carisbrook before Friday’s last rugby test at the Dunedin ground:-

June 6, 1908 v British & Irish Lions - won 32-5
September 13, 1913 v Australia - won 23-15
August 13, 1921 v South Africa - won 13-5
August 25, 1923 v New South Wales - won 19-9
September 8, 1928 v New South Wales - won 16-14
June 21, 1930 v British & Irish Lions - lost 3-6
September 12, 1936 v Australia - won 38-13
September 14, 1946 v Australia - won 31-8
May 27, 1950 v British & Irish Lions - drew 9-9
September 3, 1955 v Australia - won 8-0
July 14, 1956 v South Africa - won 10-6
July 18, 1959 v British & Irish Lions - won 18-17
September 8, 1962 v Australia - won 3-0
August 15, 1964 v Australia - won 14-9
August 21, 1965 v South Africa - won 13-0
July 16, 1966 v British & Irish Lions - won 20-3
June 26, 1971 v British & Irish Lions - lost 3-9
August 1, 1973 v NZ Juniors - lost 10-14
July 30, 1977 v British & Irish Lions - won 19-7
September 8, 1979 v Argentina - won 18-9
June 13, 1981 v Scotland - won 11-4
July 2, 1983 v British & Irish Lions - won 15-8
August 23, 1986 v Australia - won 13-12
July 15, 1989 v Argentina - won 60-9
June 16, 1990 v Scotland - won 31-16
May 30, 1992 v Ireland - won 24-21
July 17, 1993 v Australia - won 25-10
July 9, 1994 v South Africa - won 22-14
June 15, 1996 v Scotland - won 62-31
August 16, 1997 v Australia - won 36-24
June 20, 1998 v England - won 64-22
July 10, 1999 v South Africa - won 28-0
June 24, 2000 v Scotland - won 69-20
August 11, 2001 v Australia - lost 15-23
June 15, 2002 v Ireland - won 15-6
August 9, 2003 v South Africa - won 19-11
June 12, 2004 v England - won 36-3
August 27, 2005 v South Africa - won 31-27
July 12, 2008 v South Africa - lost 28-30
June 13, 2009 v France - lost 22-27
June 19, 2010 v Wales - won 42-9

Games: 41
Wins: 34
Losses: 6
Draws: 1

Winning percentage: 83 percent
Biggest win: 60-9 v Argentina, 1989
Heaviest defeat: 15-23 v Australia, 2001