Steve Hansen has named his New Zealand squad to take on Australia in the decider of the 2015 Rugby Championship this weekend.
There is a first cap for livewire Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder, who is joined in the back three by clubmate Julian Savea, making his first start of the tournament. Sonny Bill Williams is named at inside centre in place of the injured Ma’a Nonu, while Dan Carter returns to the number 10 jumper.
Up front Jerome Kaino returns on the blindside flank at the expense of Liam Messam, while Luke Romano partners Brodie Retallick in the engine room.
As ever it is an obscenely experienced line-up, with 868 caps amongst the starting line-up.
NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO PLAY AUSTRALIA
15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Date: Saturday, August 8
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:05 local (07:05 ART, 10:05 GMT, 12:05 SAST, 22:05 NZST)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Close to a 1st choice line up, as were prev teams in the RC. Romano, apart, this is likely the AB WC pack IMO. Likewise, apart from Money Bill, in for Nonu & poss Milner-Skudder on the wing, this must be the WC b/line.
I believe Hansen prefers Ben Smith @ f/back over Dagg, so this only leaves the wing posi potentially up for ‘grabs’. Of course there’s always the exp Corey Jane waiting in the, er, wings too.
Mostly, though, Hansen wants to win this game, as with every game his teams play. Won’t take this match lightly, but NZ ought to just outlast Oz as they did SA last up. So long as Oz don’t take after their cricket team this morning that is.
Interesting comments. Like you I believe the team that Steve Hansen has picked to play Australia is getting closer to his ideal first choice team.
I would have Sonny Bill Williams in the team for his ability to offload out of the tackle.
Time will tell.
That is a seriously good rugby team. The AB strength in depth is scary
Very much looking forward to seeing how SBW gets on. And Milne-Skudder as well – is he the real deal or is he one of these backs who look fantastic in Super 15 but never quite cut it at test level?