All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have today named their team to play Ireland at Croke Park, Dublin, on Saturday November 15.
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw – captain
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Dan Carter
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Josevata Rokocoko
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa
18. Anthony Boric
19. Kieran Read
20. Piri Weepu
21. Stephen Donald
22. Isaia Toeava
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the team was expecting a torrid encounter from an Irish side which was playing with real adventure. “The Irish showed passion and physicality when they played us in New Zealand earlier in the year and we are expecting another tough Test match,” he said.
On that occasion, the All Blacks beat Ireland 21-11 in June in bitterly cold conditions in Wellington to maintain their unbeaten record against the men from the Emerald Isle.
Meanwhile, Josevata Rokocoko will play his 50th Test for the All Blacks in a brilliant career which has so far spanned five years, while Richie McCaw will captain the All Blacks for the 31st time in a Test, taking him to second place on the All Blacks Test captains list behind Sean Fitzpatrick (51).
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