It should be a walk in the park for New Zealand

World Cup / Editor / 28 September 2007 / Leave a Comment

Despite the 10 changes, this team still look incredibly strong

Dean Roulston preview's New Zealand v Romania

Despite pasting the Scots by 40-0 at the weekend, this week has seen grumbles a plenty among New Zealand supporters and bursts of optimism from other quarters. The win was by a record margin for the All Blacks at Murrayfield, but the ABs performance was not what everyone, including myself, wanted or expected. With 20 handling errors, New Zealand failed to fully get into the destructive rhythm they promised.

Their task was not helped by a ridiculous clash of playing strip, and also by the Scots fielding a team so under strength, not even Google had heard of the front row. Their defence and the way they tore into the Scottish scrum and other forward exchanges, was heartening, but they should really have notched up twice as many points, if not more. This lack of focus would be costly against a greater foe, but in the end a win is a win and 40-zip is pretty still pretty emphatic.

There were a few standout performances from both sides. Doug Howlett for the All Blacks scored two tries to surpass Christian Cullen's record of 46 tries for the All Blacks. Vastly improving Ali Williams scored a vintage try striding down the touch line swatting defenders away with ease. It was good to see Reuben Thorne get around the field without a zimmer frame and the forwards generally dominated the set-pieces. The front row stalwarts, Hayman-Oliver-Woodcock predictably smashed a Scotland front row consisting of whathisname? Nobody, and the guy who reckons he's seen Nessy.

Despite their many knockers, the All Blacks have been talking tough this week, saying that while it would have been nice to have not made so many simple errors, the areas of the game they'd been focusing on the training pitch had gone well. The message from the coaches and players has been, that everything is on track, and in line with their preparations.

So with this in mind, they've ignored calls from the NZ rugby public to put out the number 1 side for Saturday's game against Romania, and made 10 changes to the side that fumbled their way through the Scotland win.

In comes an entirely new front row, with Keven Mealamu looking for a big game as he tries to cement the no 1 hooking role, so could be a good value bet in the to score market. Waikato hard man Keith Robinson, is finally fit and will lock alongside Thorne. Jerry 'the hitman' Collins is again captain from the blindside flank, with Chris Masoe and Sione Lauaki joining him in a fearsome back row.

In the a late injury to Dan Carter means Luke McAlister will start at fly half. He's joined by the vastly experienced Aaron Mauger and the exciting Isaia Toeava in the centres. Toeava will be keen to impress, having seemingly been passed by Conrad Smith as the number 1 centre. Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu will be flying out on the wings and Nick Evans gets a start at fullback.

Despite the changes, this team still has an incredibly strong and experienced look about it. You can really see the depth that Henry has built over the last 4 years, and this team will without a doubt wipe the floor Romania. A once proud Rugby nation (having beaten the France and Scotland in the 1980's), Romania have really slipped away since funding from the Ceausescu regime dried up, and are now ranked a lowly 15th in the world. Combine that with a short 4 day turnaround between their tough game against os lobos and Saturday's fixture, and I can see another massive score for the All Blacks. Considering this, I see the 2.4 available on the All Blacks - 85.5 points as a good investment.