Too much attention and not enough concentration?

I hope that the amount of attention that the ALL BLACKS have been receiving over in Tokyo, has not over-shadowed the fact that a test match against Australia is on Saturday.

Don't get me wrong, it is great to see that the All Blacks are very well received. I am just a bit concerned that their focus is on the glamour not the rugby. There will be a bit of time for all of that AFTER they win the game on Saturday - I hope.

All Blacks side named for Tokyo test

Tokyo, 9.30pm Saturday

ALL BLACKS
Mils Muliaina
Cory Jane
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu
Sitivenu Sivivatu
Daniel Carter
Jimmy Cowan
Rodney So'oialo
Richie McCaw (c)
Adam Thomson
Tom Donnelly
Brad Thorn
Neemia Tialata
Andrew Hore
Tony Woodcock

AUSTRALIA
A. Ashley-Cooper
Peter Hynes
Ryan Cross
Berrick Barnes
Digby Ioane
Matt Giteau
Will Genia
Wycliff Palu
David Pocock
Rocky Elsom (c)
Mark Chisholm
James Horwill
Ben Alexander
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Benn Robinson

Coach shuffle to the left

It seems that Graham Henry was not too impressed by the quality of forward play and has now taken up the reigns to see if he can do any better.

Graham Henry will take responsibility as the forwards coach, Steve Hansen will become the attack coach and Wayne Smith will be defensive coach.

I am wondering if Graham, like the rest of the dedicated rugby public, was waiting on the much anticipated improvements to the forward ethic and play, which seems, did not eventuate. And tired of hearing the endless critisms of the lineouts, will Graham be the light at the end of the very long tunnel.

My take on the lineouts is this. Throw the ball in quicker! Don't wait for the opposition to get settled, make a decision BEFORE you get to the lineout who will take the ball, and go from there. I know, it may not be that easy, but anything is better than what we experienced during this past year.

All we want to see if a big improvement and the All Blacks actually winning their own lineouts (for a change).

Go the ALL BLACKS!

All Blacks team for end of year tour

The All Blacks team for the end of year Northern Hemisphere tour has been announced.

The team is as follows:

John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Wyatt Crockett, Mike Delany, Stephen Donald, Tom Donnelly, Jason Eaton, Andy Ellis, Tamati Ellison, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Zac Guildford, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Luke McAlister, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock
Missing from the team are Josevata Rokocoko, Hosea Gear, Aled de Malmanche and Isaac Ross.