Razagenus Rugby Rave

The All Blacks have named 18 players to start the second Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland this Saturday, they hope playing three halfbacks will result in better service from the breakdown.

Piri Weepu has been recalled and is bracketed alongside Jimmy Cowan and Andrew Ellis. At hooker standout Andrew Hore is bracketed with Kevin Mealamu, while Adam Thompson and Daniel Braid are again bracketed together for the loose forward bench spot.

Unfortunately International Rugby Laws prevent more than 15 players being fielded at any one time.

There are positives in this squad for the All Blacks, having inspirational captain and breakdown King Richie McCaw back, though he will face a stern return as Australia are fielding two world class fetchers in George Smith and Phil Waugh.

Though I am expecting a big game from Rodney So’oialo as he would have grown from his time as captain, now that responsibility is gone he will play with more fire than control. The whole team will gain from having Richie back but the back row will benefit most.

Kaino is a better number six than eight and the left and right flanker roles have been swiftly axed. And if Piri Weepu starts, his combination with Wellington compatriot So’oialo should fix the dire problems clearing from our best attacking platform, the scrum.

Conrad Smith returns to partner Ma’a Nonu in the centers, who does play better when Smith is outside him. Richard Kahui is on the bench where he should made his test appearance from last week.

Stirling Mortlock will be a handful for Smith, but if the line moves up quickly he can be contained. Also Smith should take some tips from his opposite and look for the intercept, they will use Mortlock all night to run it up, and Smith is intelligent enough to know when to attempt this dangerous but rewarding skill.

Mils Muliaina moves to the wing to bring in Leon MacDonald at full back, this is another positive move as it provides more kicking options and loses no attacking prowess.

The All Blacks try to win every game they play, though the changes to the squad and tactics and they way they tried to run the Wallabies off there feet last week, would suggest they were targeting the Auckland and Brisbane tests as the ones to win.