4th Bledisloe Test in Japan

All Blacks
Story by: ARU


Graham Henry expects strong performances from both sides

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Rodney So’oialo
7. Richie McCaw – Captain
6. Adam Thomson
5. Tom Donnelly
4. Brad Thorn
3. Neemia Tialata
2. Andrew Hore
1. Tony Woodcock

16. Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa
18. Jason Eaton
19. Kieran Read
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Stephen Donald
22. Tamati Ellison



All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made three changes to the starting XV from the side which beat Australia in Wellington last month.

60-Test All Blacks veteran Rodney So’oialo returns to the number eight spot, with Kieran Read moving onto the bench, while in the backs Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their positions on the left wing and centre respectively. On the bench, Corey Flynn comes in as reserve hooker, with the uncapped Tamati Ellison covering the outside backs.

The team will again be captained by Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 77th Test.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the side’s historic first-ever Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan would be another massive challenge between two great rugby rivals.

“Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test,” he said.

Henry said the All Blacks were also enjoying the Test build-up in Tokyo.

“We have been welcomed with open arms by the Japanese people and the team is certainly enjoying the hospitality and culture here and looking forward to playing in front of the Japanese fans.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Carter has scored 185 points against Australia and is closing in on Andrew Mehrtens’ record of 202 points.

Courtesy NZRU



Australia v New Zealand – Historical Notes

• The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
• Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
• This is just the second Bledisloe Cup Test, and the third game between Australia and New Zealand overall, to have been played on neutral territory. Australia beat New Zealand 16-6 at Dublin in Ireland in a 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final. The All Blacks then beat Australia 19-14 during last year’s historic Bledisloe Cup tie in Hong Kong.
• Matt Giteau has scored 32 points from three appearances against the All Blacks this year, which has taken his career tally to 93 from 16 games. Should he score the seven he needs to raise 100 against New Zealand in Tokyo, the 27-year-old will become just the fourth player in history (& the third Australian) to surpass a century of points against the All Blacks. He would also complete a notable career double; having earlier this year become just the seventh player from any country to have surpassed a century of points in Tests against South Africa.
• Giteau also needs just one conversion to tie the record for the most by any player against New Zealand – which stands at 16 held by South African Percy Montgomery. Giteau has kicked the last 13 of his conversions against the All Blacks in succession.
• If he takes the field from the run on reserves bench, George Smith will be playing his 24th Test against the All Blacks. This would move him beyond Tim Horan, and into outright 3rd, in terms of the most caps achieved by any player against the All Blacks. Only two players from any country – and they are both Australians: David Campese (29) and George Gregan (27) – have played more Tests against New Zealand.