Category: New Zealand

All Black vice captain Richie McCaw has been forced out of the New Zealand Tri Nations squad due to his recurring headaches.

McCaw has been suffering from headaches every since he sustained a head injury while playing against England on June 12.

Craig Newby will take McCaw’s place in the squad for the two remaining Tri Nations games.

Meanwhile lock Keith Robinson will play on Friday night for a Waikato XV against North Harbour. It will be Robinson’s first rugby game since missing two games for the All Blacks due to a back injury.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in the second rugby match of the 2004 tri series 23 points to 21.

South Africa lead for most of the game after scoring the first try within the first minute of the game.

It was not until the last minute of the game that New Zealand took the lead by a try Doug Howlett.

New Zealand Try: Doug Howlett; Penalties: Daniel Carter (5), Carlos Spencer

South Africa - Tries: Jean de Villiers, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez; Conversions: Percy Montgomerie(3)

New Zealand host South Africa in Christchurch for the second rugby match of the 2004 tri series.

The Springboks under new coach Jake White are on a four game winning steak having defeat Argentina, Wales and Pacific Islands this year. However the All Blacks have won the last seven matches played against the Springboks.

New Zealand is the firm favourite with the bookmakers with a win at playing $1.18, while South Africa $4.50 for the win. The All Blacks have been given a 16 point start over South Africa.

During the week five memebers of the All Black squad were effected by a stomach bug and pulled out of training. However they have all recovered and will suit up for the game on Saturday.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Specer, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Simon Maling, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Craig Newby, Byron Kelleher, Sam Tuitupou, Nick Evans.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez; Jacques Cronje, AJ Venter, Schalk Burger, Albert van den Berg, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Replacements: Danie Coetzee, Faan Rautenbach, Quinton Davids, Joe van Niekerk, Bolla Conradie, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell.

New Zealand started of the tri-nations competition with a victory hard fought victory over Australia.

New Zealand dominated both territory and possession, but were unable to convert that advantage into points. A penalty kick scored by Daniel Carter was scoring play in the first half.

In the second half All Black winger scored New Zealand’s only try after a concerted forward effort. Australia were able to score a try after Joe Rokocoko failed to take a high kick from the Wallabies.

The victory also means that New Zealand retain the Bledisloe.

New Zealand - Try: Doug Howlett; Conversion: Daniel Carter; Penalties: Carter (3)

Australia - Try: Stirling Mortlock; Conversion: Matt Gitea

New Zealand take on Australia in the first match of the 2004 Tri-nations competition. The game to be played at Wellington Stadium on Saturday, will be the first time the two nations have met in an international since Australia’s victory in the semi-final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

All Black lock Keith Robinson injured his back at training during the week and may miss the game, Simon Maling is set to take his played should he not play. Flanker Richie McCaw was originally named in the starting line up, but withdrew yet again because of headaches. Marty Holah will start the game in his place.

The Australian team is severly weaken through injury. Most significantly half-back and captain George Gregan is out from an injury sustained during the match against the Pacific Islanders. Also winger Clyde Rathbone is starting ahead of Wendell Sailor.

Australia: Chris Latham, Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, Chris Whitaker, David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe (c), Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (c), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson (Simon Maling), Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

The New Zealand All Blacks defeated the combined Pacific Islands team in a one-off rugby match played at North Harbour stadium.

New Zealand scored the first try through a kick to winger Joe Rokocoko.

All Black captain Tana Umaga scored a late try.

New Zealand - Tries: Joe Rokocoko (2), Justin Marshall, Rico Gear, Kees Meeuws, Tana Umaga; Conversions: Daniel Carter (4); Penalty: Carter

Pacific Islanders - Tries: Seru Rabeni, Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Sione Lauaki; Conversions: Seremaia Bai (3)

On Saturday night New Zealand will face the combined Pacific Islands team for the first time in a one-off rugby match to be played at North Harbour stadium, Auckland.

The All Blacks have called up Rico Gear to the right wing, as Doug Howlett is still out with a shoulder injury. Open-side flanker Richie McCaw, who is still suffering headaches, is out of the match. Marty Holah takes his place, however there is no specialist open-side flanker reserve on the bench. Lock Keith Robinson return from his knee injury, it is still causing some discomfort so he could still miss the game.

Samoan centre Brian Lima has been called up for the game after fellow Samoan, Seilala Mapusua, was suspended for one match for a dangerous tackle. Seru Rabeni starts at fullback after fellow Fijian Norman Ligairi was injured against Australia.

The bookmakers have New Zealand as a firm favourite to win then game, giving them a 28 point start over the Islanders. Personally I think the game will be a bit closer than that, but New Zealand will still win.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

Replacements: Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Jerry Collins, Mose Tuiali’i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Sam Tuitupou

Pacific Islanders: Seru Rabeni (Fiji); Lome Fa’atau (Samoa), Brian Lima (Samoa), Seremaia Bai (Fiji), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Fiji); Tanner Vili (Samoa), Mosese Rauluni (Fiji); Sisa Koyamaibole (Fiji), Alifereti Doviverata (Fiji), Sione Lauaki (Tonga), Ifereimi Rawaqa (Fiji), Inoke Afeaki (captain, Tonga), Taufa’ao Filise (Tonga), Aleki Lutui (Tonga), Soane Tonga’uiha (Tonga).

Replacements: Joeli Lotawa (Fiji), Tevita Taumoepeau (Tonga), Filipo Levi (Samoa), Semo Sititi (Samoa), Steven So’oialo (Samoa), Tane Tu’ipulotu (Tonga), Sireli Bobo (Fiji).

New Zealand 41 defeated Argentina 7 in a one-off test match played at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

The All Blacks opened the scoring with a try to Mose Tuali’i after Chris Jack broke through the mid field. Argentina were quick to strike with a try to Federico Aramburu as a result of an intercept near the All Black line.

First five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens, making his first test start for more than one year and a half, started off poorly. From the initial kickoff Mehrtens kicked the ball out on the full and the interception of his pass lead to the Argentine try. He did kick well scoring 16 points with a 100% strike rate.
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The All Black team to face Argentina for a one-off rugby test match on Saturday has been announced. In the starting team Chris Jack is the only forward to hold his place and Richie McCaw returns after missing last Saturday’s game through injury.

The outside backs remain the same as last week, but the inside backs have been swapped, giving Byron Kelleher, Andrew Mehrtens and Sam Tuitupou a start.

New Zealand - Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Simon Maling, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Mose Tuiali’i, Byron Kelleher, Andrew Mehrtens, Joe Rokocoko, Sam Tuitupou, Tana Umaga, Malili Muliaina, Nick Evans,

Reserves
Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Dan Carter.

Both Bruce Reihana and Andrew Blowers are looking to return to New Zealand to play their rugby. Both players are former All Blacks, currently playing for Northampton in England.

However they want the New Zealand Rugby Football Union to give them exemption under the tough eligibility rules that require them to play in New Zealand before they can be considered for the All Blacks. All Black coach Graham Henry is keen on both players.

Personally I think that they should be considered for the All Blacks. The eligibility rules were a knee jerk reaction that put in to try and stop New Zealand players from going overseas. But they shouldn’t be used to hamper players who want to return.