tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says it's time to start regenerating talent in his world champion squad.
Hansen said he and his five-strong selection group had no hesitation in introducing three debutants to test rugby for the season-opener against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday night.
"We've gone with a very experienced side but we've also looked to bring in young players who have been in outstanding form in Super Rugby," said Hansen as he unveiled a lineup that will feature first test caps for Brodie Retallick (lock), Aaron Smith (halfback) and Julian Savea (wing).
In the only other contentious selection Hansen has gone with Hurricanes flanker Victor Vito at No 6 ahead of his Highlanders rival Adam Thomson who is on the bench. Crusader Zac Guildford also gets first crack on the right wing, getting the nod ahead of Hosea Gear and utility Ben Smith who is on the bench.
Other than that the lineup features plenty of World Cup-winning experience, with Daniel Carter (set to become the most capped first five in All Black history) restored to his No 10 jersey after he missed the business end of that tournament with that serious groin injury and Sonny Bill Williams getting the first chance at second five-eighths as Ma'a Nonu gets some much-needed rest.
"Right from the word go we've said to win test matches you need experience, but we also have to start introducing some younger people into our squad because you just can't keep the same people forever and a day," added Hansen.
"The more experience you have the easier it is because they've been there before and done it and understand what it's like. I makes it easier for these [young] guys because they've got someone to talk to and can say 'hey, it's OK just be yourself, do what you need do and we'll be there to support you'."
Hansen said Aaron Smith needed to start this test to get a chance to show he could bring that crisp delivery of his to the test arena.
"The style of game he plays, we'd like him to get the opportunity to go through the starting process and bring his game to the party and use Piri [Weepu] to come off the bench, and if we need to change the game or if we need his experience at the end we can do that."
Hansen also had no fears his young halfback would not provide the vocal direction his forwards need.
"He's very good at it, he's a cheeky wee man. The forwards expect halfbacks to talk, coaches do too, and halfbacks like obliging because they like talking."
The coach said it was also not a hard call to opt for Retallick, who has been so impressive for the Chiefs in his rookie Super Rugby season, ahead of out-of-form veteran Ali Williams. At 21 years and seven days he will become the second youngest lock in All Black history, just two days older than Mark Cooksley on his debut in 1992.
"[He's] been in outstanding form and deserves his opportunity to start. It's the same thing with Pow (Weepu), we've got an experienced guy that can come on and help if we need that at the end."
Vito got the nod over Thomson for the test because of two key factors.
"Adam has had a big season with the Highlanders," said Hansen. "We're really looking to Victor to bring his physical game to be honest. Thommo can concentrate this week on catching his breath and coming off the bench."
Hansen also lauded the progression made by Williams this season, comparing the converted league international to Brad Thorn in his coming of age in the XV-man code.
"He's definitely made huge strides," said Hansen of the Chiefs No 12. "He's in the same boat as Brad who took about four years to go from a converted player to understanding the game. We're seeing exactly the same thing with Sonny.
"He's come into our game with a number of skills but he just didn't know when to unlock them or use them. This season we're seeing a guy whose understanding the game and the role he has in it.
"We know he's a freak. He can do whatever he wants with the ball. Having that extra understanding has made him go up three or four levels. He's been outstanding."
Hansen also said the All Blacks, and New Zealand, had been reminded about the level they needed to meet by Scotland's upset over the Wallabies on Tuesday night.
"Clearly Australia may have underestimated Scotland. They've got a pretty busy week and maybe they were thinking about that second test they had this week. We just can' fall into that trap. We've got to hit the ground
running, and running hard."
1- Tony Woodcock
2- Andrew Hore (Highlanders)
3- Owen Franks (Crusaders)
4- Brodie Rettalick (Chiefs)
5- Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
6- Victor Vito (Hurricanes)
7- Richie McCaw (Crusaders)
8- Kieran Reid (Crusaders)
9- Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
10- Daniel Carter (Crusaders)
11- Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
12- Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs)
13- Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)
14- Zac Guildford (Crusaders)
15- Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
16- Hika Elliot (Chiefs)
17- Ben Franks (Crusaders)
18- Ali Williams (Blues)
19- Adam Thompson (Highlanders)
20- Piri Weepu (Blues)
21- Aaron Cruden (Chiefs)
22- Ben Smith (Highlanders)
Hansen said he and his five-strong selection group had no hesitation in introducing three debutants to test rugby for the season-opener against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday night.
"We've gone with a very experienced side but we've also looked to bring in young players who have been in outstanding form in Super Rugby," said Hansen as he unveiled a lineup that will feature first test caps for Brodie Retallick (lock), Aaron Smith (halfback) and Julian Savea (wing).
In the only other contentious selection Hansen has gone with Hurricanes flanker Victor Vito at No 6 ahead of his Highlanders rival Adam Thomson who is on the bench. Crusader Zac Guildford also gets first crack on the right wing, getting the nod ahead of Hosea Gear and utility Ben Smith who is on the bench.
Other than that the lineup features plenty of World Cup-winning experience, with Daniel Carter (set to become the most capped first five in All Black history) restored to his No 10 jersey after he missed the business end of that tournament with that serious groin injury and Sonny Bill Williams getting the first chance at second five-eighths as Ma'a Nonu gets some much-needed rest.
"Right from the word go we've said to win test matches you need experience, but we also have to start introducing some younger people into our squad because you just can't keep the same people forever and a day," added Hansen.
"The more experience you have the easier it is because they've been there before and done it and understand what it's like. I makes it easier for these [young] guys because they've got someone to talk to and can say 'hey, it's OK just be yourself, do what you need do and we'll be there to support you'."
Hansen said Aaron Smith needed to start this test to get a chance to show he could bring that crisp delivery of his to the test arena.
"The style of game he plays, we'd like him to get the opportunity to go through the starting process and bring his game to the party and use Piri [Weepu] to come off the bench, and if we need to change the game or if we need his experience at the end we can do that."
Hansen also had no fears his young halfback would not provide the vocal direction his forwards need.
"He's very good at it, he's a cheeky wee man. The forwards expect halfbacks to talk, coaches do too, and halfbacks like obliging because they like talking."
The coach said it was also not a hard call to opt for Retallick, who has been so impressive for the Chiefs in his rookie Super Rugby season, ahead of out-of-form veteran Ali Williams. At 21 years and seven days he will become the second youngest lock in All Black history, just two days older than Mark Cooksley on his debut in 1992.
"[He's] been in outstanding form and deserves his opportunity to start. It's the same thing with Pow (Weepu), we've got an experienced guy that can come on and help if we need that at the end."
Vito got the nod over Thomson for the test because of two key factors.
"Adam has had a big season with the Highlanders," said Hansen. "We're really looking to Victor to bring his physical game to be honest. Thommo can concentrate this week on catching his breath and coming off the bench."
Hansen also lauded the progression made by Williams this season, comparing the converted league international to Brad Thorn in his coming of age in the XV-man code.
"He's definitely made huge strides," said Hansen of the Chiefs No 12. "He's in the same boat as Brad who took about four years to go from a converted player to understanding the game. We're seeing exactly the same thing with Sonny.
"He's come into our game with a number of skills but he just didn't know when to unlock them or use them. This season we're seeing a guy whose understanding the game and the role he has in it.
"We know he's a freak. He can do whatever he wants with the ball. Having that extra understanding has made him go up three or four levels. He's been outstanding."
Hansen also said the All Blacks, and New Zealand, had been reminded about the level they needed to meet by Scotland's upset over the Wallabies on Tuesday night.
"Clearly Australia may have underestimated Scotland. They've got a pretty busy week and maybe they were thinking about that second test they had this week. We just can' fall into that trap. We've got to hit the ground
running, and running hard."
1- Tony Woodcock
2- Andrew Hore (Highlanders)
3- Owen Franks (Crusaders)
4- Brodie Rettalick (Chiefs)
5- Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
6- Victor Vito (Hurricanes)
7- Richie McCaw (Crusaders)
8- Kieran Reid (Crusaders)
9- Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
10- Daniel Carter (Crusaders)
11- Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
12- Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs)
13- Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)
14- Zac Guildford (Crusaders)
15- Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
16- Hika Elliot (Chiefs)
17- Ben Franks (Crusaders)
18- Ali Williams (Blues)
19- Adam Thompson (Highlanders)
20- Piri Weepu (Blues)
21- Aaron Cruden (Chiefs)
22- Ben Smith (Highlanders)
