All Blacks team named for DHL Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia

28/10/2010 12:35:20 p.m.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their team for the DHL Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday 30 October.

The Test is the first in the All Blacks Telecom BackingBlack Tour to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Starting XV:

1.  Tony Woodcock (69)

2.  Keven Mealamu (80)

3.  Owen Franks (17)

4.  Brad Thorn (46)

5.  Tom Donnelly (13)

6.  Jerome Kaino (33)

7.  Richie McCaw – captain (89)

8.  Kieran Read (25)

9.  Jimmy Cowan (41)

10.  Daniel Carter (74)

11.  Josevata Rokocoko (66)

12.  Ma’a Nonu (52)

13.  Conrad Smith (41)

14.  Cory Jane (21)

15.  Mils Muliaina (89)

Reserves:

16.  Hikawera Elliot (uncapped)

17.  John Afoa (25)

18.  Samuel Whitelock (8)

19.  Daniel Braid (4)

20.  Alby Mathewson (1)

21.  Stephen Donald (19)

22.  Isaia Toeava (26)

Number of Test caps in brackets

The starting XV features four changes from the team that beat Australia 23-22 in Sydney last month in the last match of the Investec Tri Nations: Jerome Kaino is back at blindside flanker, Jimmy Cowan is at halfback, Daniel Carter returns to the Test side following his ankle surgery while Josevata Rokocoko is in the number 11 jersey in his 67th Test.

Meanwhile, hooker Hikawera Elliot, whose sole All Blacks appearance to date was against Munster on the 2008 end of year tour, may make his All Blacks Test debut from the bench, while other reserves include loose forward Daniel Braid, who last played for the All Blacks in 2008; Alby Mathewson at reserve halfback; with Stephen Donald covering the inside backs and utility Isaia Toeava, who is back in the All Blacks after hip surgery, the outside backs cover.

Graham Henry said:  “Australia will again present a massive challenge for the All Blacks and we have picked an All Blacks starting side that has done outstandingly well this year.  This Test is a very important one for the team who are keen to get the Tour off to a good start, and, like all trans-Tasman matches, it will be another huge encounter.”

A number of All Blacks will reach individual milestones on Saturday:  Captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will play their 90th Tests –and their 70th Test together, Daniel Carter will play his 75th Test match, becoming the seventh most capped All Blacks of all time, while the All Blacks most capped prop, Tony Woodcock ,will play his 70th Test.

All Blacks Telecom BackingBlack Tour

Saturday 30 October, All Blacks v Australia, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong

Saturday 6 November, All Blacks v England, Twickenham, London

Saturday 13 November, All Blacks v Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Saturday 20 November, All Blacks v Ireland, AVIVA Stadium, Dublin

Saturday 27 November, All Blacks v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

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NZRU

Press Release