Field Theory by Hadyn Green

John Afoa Auckland (20 Test caps)
Anthony Boric North Harbour (10)
Dan Carter Canterbury (62)
Jimmy Cowan Southland (28)
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (1)
Mike Delany Bay of Plenty
Stephen Donald Waikato (16)
Tom Donnelly Otago (1)
Jason Eaton Taranaki (13)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (11)
Tamati Ellison Wellington
Corey Flynn Canterbury (5)
Owen Franks Canterbury (6)
Zac Guildford Hawke’s Bay
Andrew Hore Taranaki (43)
Cory Jane Wellington (8)
Jerome Kaino Auckland (22)
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty (3)
Brendon Leonard Waikato (12)
Luke McAlister North Harbour (28)
Richie McCaw Canterbury (76) – captain
Liam Messam Waikato (2)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (77)
Ma’a Nonu Wellington (42)
Kieran Read Canterbury (12)
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (39)
Rodney So’oialo Wellington (60)
Ben Smith Otago
Conrad Smith Wellington (29)
Adam Thomson Otago (12)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (33)
Neemia Tialata Wellington (37)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (58)
denotes new cap

The coaching change - that's nuts.

Pretty clearly an admission that Hanson hasn't had it all year, and that Henry is stepping in to rescue the forwards, and that senior players have been kicking up a fuss about the coaching. The stuff story quoted Henry as saying that he hadn't coached forwards for some years so it would be a bit of a learning experience for him. FFS.

I'm placing bets now that the requirement for those three to stick together as a team is going to bite us come world cup. It's not unreasonable to suggest that this change was to prevent Hansen getting the chop.

Only two hookers?

And injury prone ones at that. Don't they usually take three on tours like this?

Otherwise the team looks about right.

I'm utterly baffled by the coaching change though.

One of the excuses made when Henry was re-appointed ahead of Deans was that it was because of the superior calibre of his support staff.

Hansen was a great forwards coach, and Smith was a genius.

And now they’re telling us that’s not the case?

Henry talked yesterday about the need for innovation “moving forward”. There’s an argument for that, but I can think of a far more logical way of introducing it.

Only two hookers?

And injury prone ones at that. Don't they usually take three on tours like this?

Yup.

And given the lineout problems they've had all year, surely the last thing we want is hooker to get injured the day before a test and have to put a prop on the bench to cover. Be a good position to have more depth than Mealamu and Hore in.

I'm utterly baffled by the coaching change though.

Two things have to be considered. First of all, it seems the senior players had a near revolt before the last Bledisloe test in Wellington, so Henry and co. have had to make some changes in their style. Secondly, these are the coaches who said they would be judged by their results, when their actions say anything but. Within the context of keeping their arrogance and incomes their number one priority, and keeping the players happy, it all makes perfect sense.

If there is one man who can make a silk purse from a sow's ear it has to be Peter Russell. He should have replaced Hansen this year on his record and be the All Black's coach in 2012, if not earlier.

Guilford could now be ruined by the current coaches, who probably will take a player in the Howlett/Wright tradition and tell him to "bulk up" in the gym. Still we may get two good seasons out of the young fella.

I am disappointed Karl Lowe didn't get the nod, sionce he completely outplayed George Whitelock last week, dispite the fact Whitelock was in a pack full of All Blacks and should have had an armchair ride.

Dunno much about Ben Smith. One hopes he doesn't turn out like the other "kick and hope" special projects this panel like to toy with.

Only two hookers?

And injury prone ones at that. Don't they usually take three on tours like this?

I'm sure they'll be able to pick up some hookers while they're over there

I'm sure they'll be able to pick up some hookers while they're over there

One suspects they'll be keeping that sort of behaviour for after they get knocked out of the 2011 World Cup.

I'm picking a "Mike Brewer" type incident when one of the hookers goes down, and Anton Oliver gets rushed into the squad from the Oxford University team, rather than bringing over a NZ active player.

Disappointed that Aled de M was been dropped, especially after the great solo try he scored against Northland on Saturday. He was never given a chance in earlier AB games; just running as an after-thought.

He does the right kind of name for an international series too!

@TS,
Have you guys tracked down that touch-judge from Thursday’s game and driven him out of town yet?

@GL,
I suspect Alec De M didn’t do himself many favours after deciding he needed a rest following sitting on the All Black bench for 3 months before playing for Waikato.

Seriously, how much rugby has he had post Super 14?

@TS,
Have you guys tracked down that touch-judge from Thursday’s game and driven him out of town yet?

Yeah, how much would it suck for him, being from Napier as he is. Apparently he called in sick to work to his day job on Friday.

I can't believe Jerome Kaino already has 22 caps? Man they play a lot of rugby these days.

Made his debut in 2006 Sam.

But yeah...

49 tests since his debut and he's played 22.

On Henry sneaking Hanson out the back door, refer to South Africa's game plan this year. Henry has reluctantly given up on the style they want to play (attacking) and will put his energy into sorting the lineout out and developing our kicking game therefore Hanson is essentially moving to a position which will become largely redundant. Like a window cleaner at a prison.

Perhaps it's cause I'm not as immersed in it all as I'd be if I was still resident in NZ, but I don't see that the coaches are doing so badly. I've watched all the tests several times and but for errors by players, the tactics haven't seemed miles off. The losses to RSA are significant, the poor performances early in the season weren't. The losses to RSA reflected the difference between a settled team playing to their strengths and with confidence and a team still coming together, with some uncertain combinations (largely due to injuries) and unable to assert itself in the tight... is that coaching failure? Didn't seem that way to me, seemed like execution mostly.

Nice entry Hadyn, enjoyed that.

Have you guys tracked down that touch-judge from Thursday’s game and driven him out of town yet?

His house got egged, his kids have been hassled on Facebook and he's considering giving up refereeing.

is that coaching failure? Didn't seem that way to me, seemed like execution mostly.

I agree

His house got egged, his kids have been hassled on Facebook and he's considering giving up refereeing.

That's horrid. I'd hate to imagine if that try had been to win the game.

His house got egged, his kids have been hassled on Facebook and he's considering giving up refereeing.

Dicks of the week.

his kids have been hassled on Facebook

Pitchfork justice in the 21st century.

Grrrrrr....

It's a country with a proper indigenous language that also provides a finishing school for NZ international coaches....

Mutter mutter mutter where's Gavin Henson when you need him ?

It's a country with a proper indigenous language that also provides a finishing school for NZ international coaches....

Are you talking about Wales?

The coaching change - that's nuts.

Nah, it's genius - everyone knows they were getting stale. Next step is to swap Rodders and Milsy round. Joe must be gutted he didn't think of swapping with whoever wears No. 9 these days.

The stuff story quoted Henry as saying that he hadn't coached forwards for some years so it would be a bit of a learning experience for him. FFS.

And that's why the journos hate Henry - they can't tell when he's taking the piss either. Plus he gives them the "Headmaster look", and instantly they revert to being 14-year old schoolboys who aren't smart enough or sporty enough to impress the Head, and aren't cool enough not to care.

Dicks of the week.

Agreed, it is only a game. Although try telling that to a guy I know who $100 on a draw for the match. He was planning a lot worse than just an egg when I last saw him.

Which is why I never gamble, least of all on sport.

Dicks of the week.

There's been a lot of support for him too with offers from decoraters and paint companies to waterblast and repaint his house. So there's also some good people out there too.

All hail the mighty Southland Stags !