Preview: England v New Zealand
Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:49
Head to head: Queen Elizabeth and Nonu
Following the disaster of last weekend’s record defeat to South Africa, Martin Johnson's England side face possibly the only sight more daunting than a raging Springbok - a highly motivated, Richie McCaw inspired, All Black team on a quest for Grand Slam glory.
Almost immediately following the clash last week at Twickenham Johnson has been feeling the heat from the English press regarding his ‘new’ England side. Starting with Graeme Simmons' post-match interview, Johnson has had to put up some stern defence around his inexperienced side but, come Saturday, he will be able to do no more than watch from the stands.
It has been an odd week’s preparation for a high profile test match - more so in the media than anywhere else. With few giving the home side a chance in hell of making an impression a lot of the focus has fallen on the traditional New Zealand ’War dance’, the Haka. After Wales', now legendary stand-off in Cardiff last weekend, everyone has been keen to have their say on the pre-match ritual.
Many of the All Black players, Ma’a Nonu in particular, took great offence to the actions of Ryan Jones and his men and have warned England that a similar action would not be welcomed at Twickenham.
While the England side of course boasts two New Zealand born stars in their match day 22 it seems unlikely there will be a 'response.' It just doesn’t strike me as something Johnson cares too much about. That said, personally, the offence to Mr Nonu aside, I thought the pre kick-off atmostphere and tension at the Millennium Stadium was brilliant.
Let us turn to the teams then, after all, it really is just the 80 minutes of action that most of us give a damn about. 'Johnno' has made three changes to the team that went down 42-6 to the Boks last weekend with Michael Lipman, Toby Flood and Nick Kennedy coming in for Tom Rees, Danny Cipriani and Tom Palmer respectively.
While Lipman does offer genuine leadership and certainly warrants his chance to make a claim for an England spot, Rees is surely one of only a couple players who has come away with some credit for his performances this November and an individual who could only benefit from locking horns with the likes of McCaw and Jerome Kaino?
Similarly then Cipriani, for all his troubles over the last two weekends, will surely be worse off for not facing up to the New Zealand challenge? While he was poor (ok really poor) last weekend it would be a brave man who lays all the blame for last weekend disaster at the feet of the 21 year-old.
The return of Kennedy, forced by injury or not, is good to see. Having performed so well on debut the Exiles star will be a massive asset in the lineout and will hopefully make the most of his opportunity.
Going in search of a Grand Slam triumph Graham Henry has named an almost unchanged side from the one which overpowered a resolute Welsh side last weekend. The experienced and intelligent Conrad Smith returns at the expense of Richard Kahui in the outside centre berth.
After withstanding the relentless attack of the Welsh Dragons for the first forty minutes last weekend the All Blacks produces a simply brilliant second half display to secure the win. In a performance highlighted by their composure and experience the All Blacks, conducted by Dan Carter and McCaw, were able to step up their level when they needed to and got the job done against the Six Nations Champions.
By doing so they kept up their hopes of completing yet another successful Grand Slam tour of the Northern Hemisphere - something their captain has insisted this week is a major motivating factor for them.
One man for whom this weekend will be especially interesting is, former Wellington Hurricanes star, Flutey, Having subsequently moved to the UK, the London Wasps star has qualified for citizenship and will this weekend be making his fourth appearance for his adopted country.
Having come through the Junior All Black system with Piri Weepu. McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Keven Mealamu, Flutey will certainly have a good idea of what he and his teammates are up against when the All Blacks come calling.
"I have played with or against these guys most of my career and I'm really excited about Saturday Getting the opportunity to represent England against New Zealand is a big moment. I am looking forward to the challenge of the 'haka'.
"I was born and brought up in New Zealand but I will be singing the English national anthem loud and proud.
"They're very dangerous in the counter-attack area - they have ballplayers throughout the side, people with great footwork and a very high skill set."
Good friends and former teammates Conrad Smith and Flutey will be in almost direct opposition this weekend and Smith admits, while he is pleased his mate has been successful in the UK, it will be a little strange seeing the former New Zealand Maori star in the England jersey.
"It's a bit strange, I'm obviously happy for him," Smith said.
"I always knew he was a pretty classy player. Having played with him a lot, you get to see his skills. I was stoked for him when he first came over and caused such a hit over there. You heard how good he was playing."
Having failed the Springbok test miserably last weekend Johnson faces the biggest challenge of his young managerial career this weekend. Trying to rebuild a sides confidence is possibly the hardest task for any coach but a challenge he would not have been able to avoid this week.
The two sides are worlds apart, both in their development and in their class. While England have talent and potential the All Black side is ridden with World-Class talents, many of whom can turn a game on its head single-handedly. While a victory on Saturday may be unlikely the unforgiving English press and public will demand some sort of 'brave stand' from the home side - do they have the heart? Let's wait and see...
by Pete Murison
Players to watch:
For England: Clearly a lot of eyes, both English and Kiwi, will be focused squarely on Flutey. Up against his birth nation the inside centre faces a tough test but could well be inspired by the experience. Just inside him Toby Flood has been handed his chance to seize the No.10 jersey. With Jonny Wilkinson injured and Cipriani benched can the Tigers star take his chance? Having had an average November by his high standards Paul Sackey will also be looking to make an impression this weekend.
For New Zealand: The returning Conrad Smith is a hugely important cog in the New Zealand midfield. So creative and dangerous with ball in hand he could torment the England midfield. After an awesome second half display last weekend in Cardiff Jerome Kaino is starting to look good alongside McCaw and So’oialo in a powerful backrow for the Kiwi’s. With the England scrum vulnerable Tony Woodcock, who I consider to be the best loose head in the world at the moment, could really cause some damage.
Head-to-Head: Jamie Noon and Flutey have definitely not gelled as a partnership while Smith and Nonu have seasons of experience. Can the England duo stand the test? With Mils Muliaini in opposition Delon Armitage squares up against the form fullback in World rugby. This head-to-head will be huge for the Exiles star to get an idea of what is expected at this level and whether or not he is up to it. Lastly, can Michael Lipman make an impression against Richie McCaw?
Recent Results:
2008 New Zealand won 44-12 Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2008 New Zealand won 37-20 Eden Park, Auckland
2006 New Zealand won 41-20 Twickenham, London
2005 New Zealand won 23-19 Twickenham, London
2004 New Zealand won 36-12 Eden Park, Auckland
2004 New Zealand won 36-3 Carisbrook, Dunedin
2003 England won 15-13 Westpac Trust, Wellington
2002 England won 31-28 Twickenham, London
1999 New Zealand won 30-16 Twickenham, London WC Pool B
1998 New Zealand won 40-10 Eden Park, Auckland
1998 New Zealand won 64-22 Carisbrook, Dunedin
rugby365 prediction: While one would expect some sort of response from England after last week’s disappointing display it is near on impossible to see them lasting with the All Black juggernaut for 80 minutes. New Zealand by 20 or more.
England: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 James Haskell, 5 Nick Kennedy, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Croft, 19 Tom Rees, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Dan Hipkiss
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Date: Saturday
November 29
Venue: Twickenham, London
Time: 14:30 Local time (14:30 GMT)
Weather: Expect largely sunny intervals - Low of 4°C and a high of 5°C
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), George Clancy (Ireland)
TMO: Tim Hayes (Wales)
