By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff
The All Blacks put one hand on the Tri-Nations trophy and another on the Bledisloe Cup tonight.
And after backing up their double demolition of the Springboks by walloping the Wallabies 49-28 they warned the rest of the rugby world that they have the ability to finally get both hands on an even bigger piece of silverware next year.
Unless the rulemakers can find some way to inhibit them between now and the World Cup they have delivered the blueprint for the methods needed to win the Webb Ellis Cup.
It's up to others to try to catch up. That might take some doing. New Zealand's southern hemisphere neighbours certainly don't appear to be up to that challenge right now.
The Wallabies appealed as the most likely for this early phase of test rugby under the new law interpretations.
But they were cast aside with embarrassing ease, seven tries to three, at Etihad Stadium. Robbie Deans was left to contemplate his eighth consecutive loss to Graham Henry. Few will have hurt as much as this one as he prepares to head to his old hometown of Christchurch for the rematch next Saturday.
The Dingo looks to have a dog on his hands compared to the pedigree breed of All Blacks emerging with such pleasing timing.
Australia's early field position produced a try from a charge down yet they were unable to engineer little else against the muscular All Blacks defence.
A couple of sloppy tackles in the second half will irk the Kiwi coaching staff although the game was well and truly won by then.
But it is New Zealand's approach with the ball in hand that is so handsome.
They have returned entertainment to a game that was in dire need of it.
The beauty of the All Blacks' attacking philosophy is that involves absolutely everyone. It's not just the backs who are dangerous - the tight five are menacing every time they have the ball in hand as too. And they are popping up out wide as well as doing the hard yards up the middle.
Look no further than lock Brad Thorn and hooker Keven Mealamu for evidence of that allround approach. Both featured in the buildup to an early try that was completed by some sensational skills from wing Cory Jane and fullback Mils Muliaina.
Mealamu was in the thick of the action throughout to continue his superb test season.
And when Jane wasn't setting up tries he was scoring them as well, beating Drew Mitchell with embarrassing ease and then squeezing over in the corner to give the All Blacks a bonus point before half time.
The party never stopped and there was even the warming sight of wing Joe Rokocoko ending a year-long try drought to cap his record 64th test.
The All Blacks forwards game was huge last night, following up their dismantling of the Springboks' pack.
Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino were too powerful and skilful for their back row opposites.
The scrum was solid despite the shaky surface and the lineout continues to give heart.
Given that sort of stability the All Blacks have enough weapons in their backline to create havoc.
The hard-nosed attitude from the referees continued with South African Craig Joubert sin-binning All Blacks prop Owen Franks and Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell for shoulder charges in the first spell. A second yellow card to Mitchell three minutes into the second half set the scene opened the way for further annihilation with Australia reduced to 14 men.
Joubert was also heavy with his whistle around the breakdowns, determined to prevent slowing tactics from either side, a point that cost Mitchell his place.
But while Joubert was busy he was also consistent - that was the essential ingredient.
And given an even playing field by the men in charge, the All Blacks are showing there really is only one team in the game right now.
All Blacks 49 (Mils Muliaina 2, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Corey Flynn tries; Carter 2 pen 3 con) Wallabies 28 (Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom tries; Matt Giteau 3 pen 2 con). HT: 32-14
Showing posts with label Wallabies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wallabies. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Carter pretty on surface, All Black inside
By RICHARD HINDS - The Age
Last updated 07:52 30/07/2010
All Blacks and glamour boys are not terms that sit comfortably. Not like, say, All Blacks and ruthless demolition or All Blacks and World Cup heartbreak. But as Dan Carter chats amiably with reporters in the manner of the well-trained modern athlete - talk a great deal without giving away a whole lot - you quickly appreciate how he has mastered this stereotype-defying role.
There are, most significantly, the raw ingredients.
The dark, handsome features that have had Carter regularly included on lists of ''world's sexiest athletes''. And the 28-year-old is a genuine pretty boy, even if his appearance is enhanced somewhat in comparison with a recent visitor to the inquistors table, battered veteran Brad Thorn.
Then there is the stellar career. Carter needs just 16 points tomorrow night to move into second place on the list of all-time test points scorers (he has 1075 at 15.3 per-game in 71 tests) - something good judges say is testament to a reliable boot that gets plenty of opportunities in an often rampant team; but which is almost incidental compared with the precision and creativity of his play from five-eighth.
So total babe magnet and points-scoring machine in a team worshiped by a nation. Little wonder Carter is regularly marketed - most notably during an underwear campaign two years ago - as ''New Zealand's David Beckham''. However, Carter says he has not modelled his career on any other successful international athlete.
''I like to pride myself on having good balance,'' he says. ''Obviously, when I'm involved in other things -media sessions or commercial work - I make sure as soon as I'm on the training paddock it's out of my mind and I'm concentrating on the job at hand. But, yeah, it can make for a busy lifestyle.''
Anything the All Blacks achieve should be weighed against the huge expectation the team shoulders. So you ask Carter if he felt a tinge of jealousy watching the All Whites win public acclaim with their giant-wounding performances in South Africa, while nothing less than constant, convincing victory is good enough from the All Blacks.
''I was just, like most other Kiwis, very proud of our country,'' he says. ''Ranked 78th, or something like that, and to do well against the world champions [Italy], it's probably similar to one of the weaker rugby teams getting within 10 points of the All Blacks. They would get a lot of adulation for that.''
Carter's comparison is revealing. Getting to within 10 points of the All Blacks. Not beating them. In 71 Tests since his debut in June 2003, Carter has been in the losing team just eight times. The thought of defeat clearly does not enter his head - even in a hypothetical sense.
Carter acknowledges those crushing expectations are always there. Slowly growing as a team that plunged New Zealand into mourning after losing in the quarter-finals to France in 2007 works towards a home World Cup next year, when nothing but victory will be acceptable.
Such pressure, Carter says, is like the team socks. It comes with being an All Black. Yet if the All Blacks are most renowned for inflicting mental injury than suffering it, Carter does acknowledge the team's ''head coach'' - mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka - is a crucial part of the support staff.
''Especially with the new guys coming into the environment, it can be a huge step up from anything they've done before, in terms of the pressure.''
For Carter's mental health, a stint with Perpignan in France at the end of 2008 was important - even if the trip was ended prematurely after two months by a serious Achilles tendon injury. Important not just for his bank balance (his initial contract was reportedly €700,000 [$1.3m at the time]), but also because he was able to stroll unnoticed through the streets of European cities where rugby was ''no big deal'' and, less happily, take an enforced break from the game.
''It definitely freshened me up,'' he says. ''It [being an All-Black in New Zealand] can be pretty challenging at times, I'd had seven years of that … hopefully it will help this year and next year as well.''
Talking about Saturday night's opposition, Carter is non-controversial to the point of bald-faced flattery. The Wallabies will miss Quade Cooper but have ''fantastic'' coverage; Will Genia is ''extremely dangerous'', the Australians will be as eager to atone for past failures against the All Blacks as the Kiwis were this year against South Africa. And so on.
But there is a genuine enthusiasm in the way Carter talks about the more expansive game both teams are playing, and an obviously agile mind at play when he discusses tactical nuances of his role - particularly the split-second decision of whether to seek the safety of the touch line or to roll the dice on kick and chase.
''It's something you get a feel for in the game,'' he says. ''I work pretty closely with our forwards in terms of how they are feeling about after they've had a few [line-outs] just to see if they want to push it closer to the touch line or back our kick-chase.
''Kicking it long can be dangerous because the Wallabies are similar to us, they love to counter-attack and they are very dangerous.
''A lot of things rule each other out in this game, that's why it is going to make for a fantastic match, they like to use the ball similar to us.''
Similar, perhaps. But at the exalted level of the All-Blacks' glamour boy?
Last updated 07:52 30/07/2010
All Blacks and glamour boys are not terms that sit comfortably. Not like, say, All Blacks and ruthless demolition or All Blacks and World Cup heartbreak. But as Dan Carter chats amiably with reporters in the manner of the well-trained modern athlete - talk a great deal without giving away a whole lot - you quickly appreciate how he has mastered this stereotype-defying role.
There are, most significantly, the raw ingredients.
The dark, handsome features that have had Carter regularly included on lists of ''world's sexiest athletes''. And the 28-year-old is a genuine pretty boy, even if his appearance is enhanced somewhat in comparison with a recent visitor to the inquistors table, battered veteran Brad Thorn.
Then there is the stellar career. Carter needs just 16 points tomorrow night to move into second place on the list of all-time test points scorers (he has 1075 at 15.3 per-game in 71 tests) - something good judges say is testament to a reliable boot that gets plenty of opportunities in an often rampant team; but which is almost incidental compared with the precision and creativity of his play from five-eighth.
So total babe magnet and points-scoring machine in a team worshiped by a nation. Little wonder Carter is regularly marketed - most notably during an underwear campaign two years ago - as ''New Zealand's David Beckham''. However, Carter says he has not modelled his career on any other successful international athlete.
''I like to pride myself on having good balance,'' he says. ''Obviously, when I'm involved in other things -media sessions or commercial work - I make sure as soon as I'm on the training paddock it's out of my mind and I'm concentrating on the job at hand. But, yeah, it can make for a busy lifestyle.''
Anything the All Blacks achieve should be weighed against the huge expectation the team shoulders. So you ask Carter if he felt a tinge of jealousy watching the All Whites win public acclaim with their giant-wounding performances in South Africa, while nothing less than constant, convincing victory is good enough from the All Blacks.
''I was just, like most other Kiwis, very proud of our country,'' he says. ''Ranked 78th, or something like that, and to do well against the world champions [Italy], it's probably similar to one of the weaker rugby teams getting within 10 points of the All Blacks. They would get a lot of adulation for that.''
Carter's comparison is revealing. Getting to within 10 points of the All Blacks. Not beating them. In 71 Tests since his debut in June 2003, Carter has been in the losing team just eight times. The thought of defeat clearly does not enter his head - even in a hypothetical sense.
Carter acknowledges those crushing expectations are always there. Slowly growing as a team that plunged New Zealand into mourning after losing in the quarter-finals to France in 2007 works towards a home World Cup next year, when nothing but victory will be acceptable.
Such pressure, Carter says, is like the team socks. It comes with being an All Black. Yet if the All Blacks are most renowned for inflicting mental injury than suffering it, Carter does acknowledge the team's ''head coach'' - mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka - is a crucial part of the support staff.
''Especially with the new guys coming into the environment, it can be a huge step up from anything they've done before, in terms of the pressure.''
For Carter's mental health, a stint with Perpignan in France at the end of 2008 was important - even if the trip was ended prematurely after two months by a serious Achilles tendon injury. Important not just for his bank balance (his initial contract was reportedly €700,000 [$1.3m at the time]), but also because he was able to stroll unnoticed through the streets of European cities where rugby was ''no big deal'' and, less happily, take an enforced break from the game.
''It definitely freshened me up,'' he says. ''It [being an All-Black in New Zealand] can be pretty challenging at times, I'd had seven years of that … hopefully it will help this year and next year as well.''
Talking about Saturday night's opposition, Carter is non-controversial to the point of bald-faced flattery. The Wallabies will miss Quade Cooper but have ''fantastic'' coverage; Will Genia is ''extremely dangerous'', the Australians will be as eager to atone for past failures against the All Blacks as the Kiwis were this year against South Africa. And so on.
But there is a genuine enthusiasm in the way Carter talks about the more expansive game both teams are playing, and an obviously agile mind at play when he discusses tactical nuances of his role - particularly the split-second decision of whether to seek the safety of the touch line or to roll the dice on kick and chase.
''It's something you get a feel for in the game,'' he says. ''I work pretty closely with our forwards in terms of how they are feeling about after they've had a few [line-outs] just to see if they want to push it closer to the touch line or back our kick-chase.
''Kicking it long can be dangerous because the Wallabies are similar to us, they love to counter-attack and they are very dangerous.
''A lot of things rule each other out in this game, that's why it is going to make for a fantastic match, they like to use the ball similar to us.''
Similar, perhaps. But at the exalted level of the All-Blacks' glamour boy?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
4th Bledisloe Test in Japan
All Blacks
Story by: ARU
Graham Henry expects strong performances from both sides
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Rodney So’oialo
7. Richie McCaw – Captain
6. Adam Thomson
5. Tom Donnelly
4. Brad Thorn
3. Neemia Tialata
2. Andrew Hore
1. Tony Woodcock
16. Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa
18. Jason Eaton
19. Kieran Read
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Stephen Donald
22. Tamati Ellison
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made three changes to the starting XV from the side which beat Australia in Wellington last month.
60-Test All Blacks veteran Rodney So’oialo returns to the number eight spot, with Kieran Read moving onto the bench, while in the backs Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their positions on the left wing and centre respectively. On the bench, Corey Flynn comes in as reserve hooker, with the uncapped Tamati Ellison covering the outside backs.
The team will again be captained by Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 77th Test.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the side’s historic first-ever Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan would be another massive challenge between two great rugby rivals.
“Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test,” he said.
Henry said the All Blacks were also enjoying the Test build-up in Tokyo.
“We have been welcomed with open arms by the Japanese people and the team is certainly enjoying the hospitality and culture here and looking forward to playing in front of the Japanese fans.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Carter has scored 185 points against Australia and is closing in on Andrew Mehrtens’ record of 202 points.
Courtesy NZRU
Australia v New Zealand – Historical Notes
• The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
• Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
• This is just the second Bledisloe Cup Test, and the third game between Australia and New Zealand overall, to have been played on neutral territory. Australia beat New Zealand 16-6 at Dublin in Ireland in a 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final. The All Blacks then beat Australia 19-14 during last year’s historic Bledisloe Cup tie in Hong Kong.
• Matt Giteau has scored 32 points from three appearances against the All Blacks this year, which has taken his career tally to 93 from 16 games. Should he score the seven he needs to raise 100 against New Zealand in Tokyo, the 27-year-old will become just the fourth player in history (& the third Australian) to surpass a century of points against the All Blacks. He would also complete a notable career double; having earlier this year become just the seventh player from any country to have surpassed a century of points in Tests against South Africa.
• Giteau also needs just one conversion to tie the record for the most by any player against New Zealand – which stands at 16 held by South African Percy Montgomery. Giteau has kicked the last 13 of his conversions against the All Blacks in succession.
• If he takes the field from the run on reserves bench, George Smith will be playing his 24th Test against the All Blacks. This would move him beyond Tim Horan, and into outright 3rd, in terms of the most caps achieved by any player against the All Blacks. Only two players from any country – and they are both Australians: David Campese (29) and George Gregan (27) – have played more Tests against New Zealand.
Story by: ARU
Graham Henry expects strong performances from both sides
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Rodney So’oialo
7. Richie McCaw – Captain
6. Adam Thomson
5. Tom Donnelly
4. Brad Thorn
3. Neemia Tialata
2. Andrew Hore
1. Tony Woodcock
16. Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa
18. Jason Eaton
19. Kieran Read
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Stephen Donald
22. Tamati Ellison
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made three changes to the starting XV from the side which beat Australia in Wellington last month.
60-Test All Blacks veteran Rodney So’oialo returns to the number eight spot, with Kieran Read moving onto the bench, while in the backs Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their positions on the left wing and centre respectively. On the bench, Corey Flynn comes in as reserve hooker, with the uncapped Tamati Ellison covering the outside backs.
The team will again be captained by Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 77th Test.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the side’s historic first-ever Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan would be another massive challenge between two great rugby rivals.
“Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test,” he said.
Henry said the All Blacks were also enjoying the Test build-up in Tokyo.
“We have been welcomed with open arms by the Japanese people and the team is certainly enjoying the hospitality and culture here and looking forward to playing in front of the Japanese fans.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Carter has scored 185 points against Australia and is closing in on Andrew Mehrtens’ record of 202 points.
Courtesy NZRU
Australia v New Zealand – Historical Notes
• The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
• Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
• This is just the second Bledisloe Cup Test, and the third game between Australia and New Zealand overall, to have been played on neutral territory. Australia beat New Zealand 16-6 at Dublin in Ireland in a 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final. The All Blacks then beat Australia 19-14 during last year’s historic Bledisloe Cup tie in Hong Kong.
• Matt Giteau has scored 32 points from three appearances against the All Blacks this year, which has taken his career tally to 93 from 16 games. Should he score the seven he needs to raise 100 against New Zealand in Tokyo, the 27-year-old will become just the fourth player in history (& the third Australian) to surpass a century of points against the All Blacks. He would also complete a notable career double; having earlier this year become just the seventh player from any country to have surpassed a century of points in Tests against South Africa.
• Giteau also needs just one conversion to tie the record for the most by any player against New Zealand – which stands at 16 held by South African Percy Montgomery. Giteau has kicked the last 13 of his conversions against the All Blacks in succession.
• If he takes the field from the run on reserves bench, George Smith will be playing his 24th Test against the All Blacks. This would move him beyond Tim Horan, and into outright 3rd, in terms of the most caps achieved by any player against the All Blacks. Only two players from any country – and they are both Australians: David Campese (29) and George Gregan (27) – have played more Tests against New Zealand.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Four new faces for All Blacks
Restructure to coaching setup
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 10:02 18/10/2009
Photosport
ALL BLACKS CALLUP: Hawke's Bay's Zac Guildford
In-form Bay of Plenty five-eighth Mike Delany and Otago fullback Ben Smith were the bolters in Graham Henry's 33-strong All Blacks squad to tour Japan, the UK and Europe.
Henry this morning named four uncapped players in his squad that will play tests against the Wallabies, Wales, Italy, England and France and then close a six-week tour with a fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
He also confirmed a restructure of the coaching setup, with the main feature being Henry taking over responsibilities for the forwards, Hansen moving into the position of attack coach (previously occupied by Wayne Smith) and Smith taking over defensive responsibilities (hitherto Henry's domain).
Henry described the reshuffling of the coaching portfolios as "exciting" and said it had been done with the blessing of the senior player group in the squad. "I'm a bit apprehensive to tell the truth, I haven't coached the forwards for a while... but I think getting a bit nervous about it brings the best out in you," he added.
"It's good for me to have that challenge, and I'll be using a lot of knowledge from the forward pack which I think will be good for them."
Delany, 27, who has had an outstanding season with Bay of Plenty in the Air NZ Cup, is one of three specialist five-eighths chosen for the tour; Smith, the 23-year-old standout Otago player in a largely disappointing season in the south, has been included as one of four wings, though both he and 26-year-old Cory Jane also cover fullback, as does Delany; and the other new caps are 20-year-old Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison who has been with the national squad for much of the season.
Both Guildford and Ellison were widely tipped to make the tour, but Delany and Smith definitely come into the bolter category. Smith has played mostly at fullback for Otago this season but Henry said he was chosen essentially as a winger.
They have both been picked on the strength of outstanding provincial campaigns which Henry spoke about at today's team announcement. It is unusual, though, that the coaches have included three five-eighths for the tour (four if you throw Luke McAlister into the mix), and just two hookers.
Smith makes the All Blacks after just his third season of provincial rugby, and just one Super 14 campaign with the Highlanders this year. He also played alongside fellow All Black Owen Franks in the 2007 New Zealand Under-21 side.
Delany made his provincial debut in 2005 and his Super 14 breakthrough last year. He has played 52 matches for Bay of Plenty and is the leading scorer in this year's Air NZ Cup.
Guildford has had a stellar season, playing for the Hurricanes, the world champion New Zealand Under-20 team and Hawke's Bay. He has scored a competition-leading 13 tries in this year's provincial championship.
There is no room in the touring troupe for long-serving, but out of form wing Josevata Rokocoko, seldom-used wing Hosea Gear, hooker Aled de Malmanche and lock Isaac Ross who was singled out by Henry as a special case who needed a spell out of the game. All four featured through this year's international campaign.
There is also a return to international duty for Waikato loose forward Liam Messam who was dropped from the All Blacks after the Iveco Series and given a stern message about improvements needed in his game. Veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo also survives, while Bay of Plenty's Tanerau Latimer won a tight three-way battle against George Whitelock and Karl Lowe as Richie McCaw's openside backup.
Cantabs Corey Flynn and Andy Ellis - who were both invalided out of last year's tour - and North Harbour's Anthony Boric also make returns to the All Blacks after spells away with injury. Flynn will have extra responsibility as the only specialist hooker backup for Andrew Hore in a clear selection gamble that was undertaken to allow an extra loose forward into the mix.
The coaches confirmed that if there was a late injury to one of their specialist hookers prop John Afoa would cover the position on the field and either he or Tony Woodcock would deputise as lineout thrower.
Ellis gets the third halfback spot in preference to Wellington's Piri Weepu who was ruled out because of his long-term ankle injury. "I spoke to him yesterday," said Henry. "He's struggling with his ankle and fitness and we believe he needs time to get that operated on so he can come back and be a candidate for the No 1 halfback in New Zealand."
And Boric is one of four specialist second-rowers chosen for the trip after he spent much of the year recovering from a broken toe suffered near the end of the Super 14 season.
The All Blacks coaches went for a mix of 18 forwards and 15 backs for the trip. There are five props, two hookers, four locks and seven loosies among the forwards, while in the backs there are three halfbacks, three five-eighths, four midfielders, four wings and the one specialist fullback, with cover from Jane, Smith and Delany.
"It was a difficult side to select," said Henry at today's announcement press conference. "There are a lot of good players who haven't been selected. A number of young players put their hands up and that's good for our future as an international team. So depth is returning, and that's good."
Henry said the new caps had demanded selection through form in the Air NZ Cup that could not be ignored.
"Zac Guildford has had a great year, and he and Ben Smith have got the skill-set that we believe is needed in the modern game. They're good under the high ball, good at the kicking game, good at the kick-chase game and also can counter-attack from the back three. That was very important in their selection.
"Tanerau Latimer has been in the group for some time and we've been very impressed with him. He's come back from injury and played well for Wellington.
"Mike Delany gets selected on form. He's a late developer and we like his real positiveness when he plays, he's a good kicker of the ball and has got the ability to counter-attack as well."
Henry also spelt out the special circumstances of Ross' absence after the talented Cantab had been a first-choice lock for most of the test year.
"We believe he's got things he needs to work on to become a better player," said Henry. "If he's going to be a strong scrummager and better at the breakdown he needs some time out of the game to develop the strength to be able to do that. So he'll come back a better player."
Henry also spoke about the two wings who had been part of his squad all season who missed selection.
"Joe Rokocoko will be disappointed, and he and Hosea Gear are similar really. We're looking for players in the back three who are good under the high ball and can counter-attack. Those are things they need to work on."
Henry stated the obvious when he said de Malmanche had missed out because "he needs to work on his throwing ability", but clearly there's a gamble in the call to go with just the two hookers, especially with Flynn's injury record.
Harbour wing Rudi Wulf was another initial selection who had missed the touring squad, with Henry saying "he hasn't played sufficient football in one position". Sitiveni Sivivatu is judged fit to tour despite not playing a provincial game since he picked up a groin strain late in the Tri-Nations campaign.
Henry said form in the national provincial championship had been the key factor in the selection of three of the new caps.
"Delany, Guildford and Smith, the new All Blacks, have put their hands up consistently through the tournament. Mike Delany you would say is in the top-three in-form players in this Air NZ Cup, Zac the same and Ben the same. Form for the new caps was critical obviously."
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland for a training camp this week before flying out to Tokyo next Sunday, October 25.
Players not considered for selection due to injury include: Piri Weepu (ankle), Isaia Toeava (pelvis), Lelia Masaga (shoulder), Keven Mealamu (chest), Bryn Evans (back), Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Ali Williams (Achilles).
All Blacks touring squad
Forwards:
John Afoa Auckland (20 test caps)
Anthony Boric North Harbour (10)
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (1)
Tom Donnelly Otago (1)
Jason Eaton Taranaki (13)
Corey Flynn Canterbury (5)
Owen Franks Canterbury (6)
Jerome Kaino Auckland (22)
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty (3)
Andrew Hore Taranaki (43)
Richie McCaw Canterbury (76) - captain
Liam Messam Waikato (2)
Rodney So'oialo Wellington (60)
Kieran Read Canterbury (12)
Adam Thomson Otago (12)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (33)
Neemia Tialata Wellington (37)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (58)
Backs:
Dan Carter Canterbury (62)
Jimmy Cowan Southland (28)
Mike Delany Bay of Plenty *
Stephen Donald Waikato (16)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (11)
Tamati Ellison Wellington*
Zac Guildford Hawke's Bay *
Cory Jane Wellington (8)
Brendon Leonard Waikato (12)
Luke McAlister North Harbour (28)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (77)
Ma'a Nonu Wellington (42)
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (39)
Ben Smith Otago *
Conrad Smith Wellington (29)
* denotes new cap
All Blacks tour schedule
Saturday 31 October, All Blacks vs Australia, National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 7 November, All Blacks vs Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 14 November, All Blacks vs Italy, San Siro Stadium, Milan
Saturday 21 November, All Blacks vs England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 28 November, All Blacks vs France, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Saturday 5 December, All Blacks vs Barbarians, Twickenham, London
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 10:02 18/10/2009
Photosport
ALL BLACKS CALLUP: Hawke's Bay's Zac Guildford
In-form Bay of Plenty five-eighth Mike Delany and Otago fullback Ben Smith were the bolters in Graham Henry's 33-strong All Blacks squad to tour Japan, the UK and Europe.
Henry this morning named four uncapped players in his squad that will play tests against the Wallabies, Wales, Italy, England and France and then close a six-week tour with a fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
He also confirmed a restructure of the coaching setup, with the main feature being Henry taking over responsibilities for the forwards, Hansen moving into the position of attack coach (previously occupied by Wayne Smith) and Smith taking over defensive responsibilities (hitherto Henry's domain).
Henry described the reshuffling of the coaching portfolios as "exciting" and said it had been done with the blessing of the senior player group in the squad. "I'm a bit apprehensive to tell the truth, I haven't coached the forwards for a while... but I think getting a bit nervous about it brings the best out in you," he added.
"It's good for me to have that challenge, and I'll be using a lot of knowledge from the forward pack which I think will be good for them."
Delany, 27, who has had an outstanding season with Bay of Plenty in the Air NZ Cup, is one of three specialist five-eighths chosen for the tour; Smith, the 23-year-old standout Otago player in a largely disappointing season in the south, has been included as one of four wings, though both he and 26-year-old Cory Jane also cover fullback, as does Delany; and the other new caps are 20-year-old Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison who has been with the national squad for much of the season.
Both Guildford and Ellison were widely tipped to make the tour, but Delany and Smith definitely come into the bolter category. Smith has played mostly at fullback for Otago this season but Henry said he was chosen essentially as a winger.
They have both been picked on the strength of outstanding provincial campaigns which Henry spoke about at today's team announcement. It is unusual, though, that the coaches have included three five-eighths for the tour (four if you throw Luke McAlister into the mix), and just two hookers.
Smith makes the All Blacks after just his third season of provincial rugby, and just one Super 14 campaign with the Highlanders this year. He also played alongside fellow All Black Owen Franks in the 2007 New Zealand Under-21 side.
Delany made his provincial debut in 2005 and his Super 14 breakthrough last year. He has played 52 matches for Bay of Plenty and is the leading scorer in this year's Air NZ Cup.
Guildford has had a stellar season, playing for the Hurricanes, the world champion New Zealand Under-20 team and Hawke's Bay. He has scored a competition-leading 13 tries in this year's provincial championship.
There is no room in the touring troupe for long-serving, but out of form wing Josevata Rokocoko, seldom-used wing Hosea Gear, hooker Aled de Malmanche and lock Isaac Ross who was singled out by Henry as a special case who needed a spell out of the game. All four featured through this year's international campaign.
There is also a return to international duty for Waikato loose forward Liam Messam who was dropped from the All Blacks after the Iveco Series and given a stern message about improvements needed in his game. Veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo also survives, while Bay of Plenty's Tanerau Latimer won a tight three-way battle against George Whitelock and Karl Lowe as Richie McCaw's openside backup.
Cantabs Corey Flynn and Andy Ellis - who were both invalided out of last year's tour - and North Harbour's Anthony Boric also make returns to the All Blacks after spells away with injury. Flynn will have extra responsibility as the only specialist hooker backup for Andrew Hore in a clear selection gamble that was undertaken to allow an extra loose forward into the mix.
The coaches confirmed that if there was a late injury to one of their specialist hookers prop John Afoa would cover the position on the field and either he or Tony Woodcock would deputise as lineout thrower.
Ellis gets the third halfback spot in preference to Wellington's Piri Weepu who was ruled out because of his long-term ankle injury. "I spoke to him yesterday," said Henry. "He's struggling with his ankle and fitness and we believe he needs time to get that operated on so he can come back and be a candidate for the No 1 halfback in New Zealand."
And Boric is one of four specialist second-rowers chosen for the trip after he spent much of the year recovering from a broken toe suffered near the end of the Super 14 season.
The All Blacks coaches went for a mix of 18 forwards and 15 backs for the trip. There are five props, two hookers, four locks and seven loosies among the forwards, while in the backs there are three halfbacks, three five-eighths, four midfielders, four wings and the one specialist fullback, with cover from Jane, Smith and Delany.
"It was a difficult side to select," said Henry at today's announcement press conference. "There are a lot of good players who haven't been selected. A number of young players put their hands up and that's good for our future as an international team. So depth is returning, and that's good."
Henry said the new caps had demanded selection through form in the Air NZ Cup that could not be ignored.
"Zac Guildford has had a great year, and he and Ben Smith have got the skill-set that we believe is needed in the modern game. They're good under the high ball, good at the kicking game, good at the kick-chase game and also can counter-attack from the back three. That was very important in their selection.
"Tanerau Latimer has been in the group for some time and we've been very impressed with him. He's come back from injury and played well for Wellington.
"Mike Delany gets selected on form. He's a late developer and we like his real positiveness when he plays, he's a good kicker of the ball and has got the ability to counter-attack as well."
Henry also spelt out the special circumstances of Ross' absence after the talented Cantab had been a first-choice lock for most of the test year.
"We believe he's got things he needs to work on to become a better player," said Henry. "If he's going to be a strong scrummager and better at the breakdown he needs some time out of the game to develop the strength to be able to do that. So he'll come back a better player."
Henry also spoke about the two wings who had been part of his squad all season who missed selection.
"Joe Rokocoko will be disappointed, and he and Hosea Gear are similar really. We're looking for players in the back three who are good under the high ball and can counter-attack. Those are things they need to work on."
Henry stated the obvious when he said de Malmanche had missed out because "he needs to work on his throwing ability", but clearly there's a gamble in the call to go with just the two hookers, especially with Flynn's injury record.
Harbour wing Rudi Wulf was another initial selection who had missed the touring squad, with Henry saying "he hasn't played sufficient football in one position". Sitiveni Sivivatu is judged fit to tour despite not playing a provincial game since he picked up a groin strain late in the Tri-Nations campaign.
Henry said form in the national provincial championship had been the key factor in the selection of three of the new caps.
"Delany, Guildford and Smith, the new All Blacks, have put their hands up consistently through the tournament. Mike Delany you would say is in the top-three in-form players in this Air NZ Cup, Zac the same and Ben the same. Form for the new caps was critical obviously."
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland for a training camp this week before flying out to Tokyo next Sunday, October 25.
Players not considered for selection due to injury include: Piri Weepu (ankle), Isaia Toeava (pelvis), Lelia Masaga (shoulder), Keven Mealamu (chest), Bryn Evans (back), Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Ali Williams (Achilles).
All Blacks touring squad
Forwards:
John Afoa Auckland (20 test caps)
Anthony Boric North Harbour (10)
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (1)
Tom Donnelly Otago (1)
Jason Eaton Taranaki (13)
Corey Flynn Canterbury (5)
Owen Franks Canterbury (6)
Jerome Kaino Auckland (22)
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty (3)
Andrew Hore Taranaki (43)
Richie McCaw Canterbury (76) - captain
Liam Messam Waikato (2)
Rodney So'oialo Wellington (60)
Kieran Read Canterbury (12)
Adam Thomson Otago (12)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (33)
Neemia Tialata Wellington (37)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (58)
Backs:
Dan Carter Canterbury (62)
Jimmy Cowan Southland (28)
Mike Delany Bay of Plenty *
Stephen Donald Waikato (16)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (11)
Tamati Ellison Wellington*
Zac Guildford Hawke's Bay *
Cory Jane Wellington (8)
Brendon Leonard Waikato (12)
Luke McAlister North Harbour (28)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (77)
Ma'a Nonu Wellington (42)
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (39)
Ben Smith Otago *
Conrad Smith Wellington (29)
* denotes new cap
All Blacks tour schedule
Saturday 31 October, All Blacks vs Australia, National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 7 November, All Blacks vs Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 14 November, All Blacks vs Italy, San Siro Stadium, Milan
Saturday 21 November, All Blacks vs England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 28 November, All Blacks vs France, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Saturday 5 December, All Blacks vs Barbarians, Twickenham, London
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