Bokwatch Day 2: All Blacks team named

The New Zealand side to host the Boks in the first game of the 2008 Tri Nations was named today.

The Details:

- Rodney So’oialo takes over the captaincy in the absence of the injured Richie McCaw.
- So’oialo starts at number 7 with Jerome Kaino playing eigthman.
- Chris Masoe was drafted back into the squad to cover McCaw, but doesn’t make the starting 22.
- Powerful loose forward Sione Lauaki warms the bench.
- Mils Muliaina reclaims the fullback position from Leon MacDonald.
- Tony Woodcock returns at prop at the expense of Neemia Tialata who is on the bench.
- The experience of Conrad Smith sees him start at outside centre ahead of Richard Kahui.
- Despite injury fears, lock Ali Williams is announced in the team. “Ali is an experienced player and the limited preparation shouldn’t be an issue.We just need to get his ankle right first,” said Graham Henry. If he fails to recover fully, he will be replaced by the inexperienced Anthony Boric.
- Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan’s drinking indiscretions have been swept under the carpet (fined $3000 and ordered to stop drinking as a condition of his employment) and he takes his place on the bench.

The Team:

New Zealand All Blacks

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Rudi Wulf
10. Dan Carter
09. Andy Ellis

08. Jerome Kaino
07. Rodney So’oialo (Captain)
06. Adam Thomson
05. Ali Williams
04. Brad Thorn
03. Greg Somerville
02. Andrew Hore
01. Tony Woodcock

Replacements:

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Neemia Tialata
18. Anthony Boric
19. Sione Lauaki

20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Stephen Donald
22. Leon MacDonald