McCaw leads altered NZ v Barbarians
02 December 2009 (17:48)
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| Richie McCaw © Gallo Images |
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will lead the All Blacks in
their tour-ending non-cap international against the Barbarians at
Twickenham on Saturday.
Flanker McCaw, recently crowned the IRB 2009 world player of the
year and Cory Jane - back in his first-choice position of full-back
- are the only two survivors from the team that beat France 39-12
in Marseille last weekend.
And the Twickenham crowd won't have a second chance to see Dan
Carter, who starred in New Zealand's November win over England at
'headquarters', after coach Graham Henry left the fly-half out of
his entire matchday 22.
Instead, Stephen Donald will run-on at No 10 for his first start
of the tour with prop John Afoa also making his first start against
a star-studded Barbarians side that features All Black wing Joe
Rokocoko.
New Zealand have yet to lose on this tour, having defeated
Australia (in Tokyo), Wales, Italy, England and France.
Of New Zealand's four debutants on this tour three - Zac
Guildford, Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison - will start while Mike
Delany is on the bench.
The Barbarians re captained by South Africa World Cup-winning
second row Victor Matfield and features several of his fellow
Springboks in star wing Bryan Habana, Jacques Fourie, Fourie du
Preez and Bismarck du Plessis.
Australia supply four players in wing Drew Mitchell, fly-half
Matt Giteau, back-row George Smith and blindside flanker Rocky
Elsom, the Wallaby captain.
The starting team, which was traditionally composed of players
from the Britain and Ireland, features just three northern
hemisphere names in Wales centre Jamie Roberts and Italian forards
Carlo del Fava and Salvatore Perugini - a sign of how Europe's top
clubs are increasingly reluctant to release players for what many
still regard as a prestigious fixture.
Barbarians coach Nick Mallett, currently in charge of Italy,
said: "We have the benefit of a full week together ahead of the
match.
"Knowing the talent that has been assembled among the 22
players, we expect to be very competitive and give the All Blacks
and the Twickenham crowd a real taste of Barbarian rugby at its
best," the former South Africa coach added.
Teams for the non-cap international between the Barbarians and
New Zealand at Twickenham here on Saturday (1430GMT):
(15-1) Barbarians
Drew Mitchell (AUS); Joe Rokocoko (NZL), Jacques Fourie (RSA),
Jamie Roberts (WAL), Bryan Habana (RSA); Matt Giteau (AUS), Fourie
du Preez (RSA); George Smith (AUS), Schalk Burger (RSA), Rocky
Elsom (AUS); Victor Matfield (RSA, capt), Carlo del Fava (ITA); WP
Nel (RSA/uncappped); Bismarck du Plessis (RSA), Salvatore Perugini
(ITA)
Replacements: Stephen Moore (AUS), Tenai Mtawarira (RSA),
Quintin Geldenhuys (ITA), Andy Powell (WAL), Will Genia (AUS),
Morne Steyn (RSA), Leigh Halfpenny (WAL)
New Zealand
Cory Jane; Zac Guildford, Tamati Ellison, Luke McAllister, Ben
Smith; Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard; Rodney So'oialo, Richie
McCaw (capt), Liam Messam; Anthony Boric, Jason Eaton; John Afoa,
Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Adam Thomson, Tanerau
Latimer, Jimmy Cowan, Mike Delany, Sitiveni Sivivatu
Read more on the latest rugby news page.
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