What a spectacular way to kick off against the Aussies in the first tri nations 2010, and I mean "kick off" how many times did we win the ball back from the kickoff!Spectacular precision kicking by the clothing magnate and great running by the front to get the ball back on the black side. Just this part of the game made the Aussies look a bit out of their league, and kept me captivated yes captivated, you heard it here first.

Piri Weepu replaces the injured Jimmy Cowan in the only change to the All Black starting XV for this weekend.  This brings Alby Mathewson onto the bench & in line for his first test jersey.  Benson Stanley replaces Israel Dagg on the bench which is surely due to injury as well.
 
Meanwhile the Aussies continue to be in state of flux & have not yet named their team but there is expectyed to be about 5 changes.

Well having already been burnt at the TAB by two All Blacks 13 & over margins am I going to be conservative again?  I hate to say it but yes I am. 
 
The Aussies have a lot to play for this week & despite thinking the All Blacks will have too much firepower for them I am (once again) going to take the All Blacks by 12 points & under at $2-75 & then a small emotional hedge on Aussie by 12 points & under at $4-60.

Here lies the sad tale of Isaac Ross.  Twelve months ago he was in charge of the All Blacks lineout but has since been dropped by the All Blacks then the Crusaders & then even Jarred Hoeata was picked ahead of him for NZ Maori!  Once Steve Hansen puts the word out about your problems its all down hill!
 
Makes you ask what Steve Hansen saw in him in the first place & was it similar to Campbell Johnstone's right shoulder?

This test should be played at a famous sporting amphitheatre rather than a non-descript AFL ground! 
 
Anyway, for the first time in two years, this weekend’s test between the All Blacks & the Wallabies is not being billed as Graham Henry against Robbie Deans with even Chris Rattue billing the All Blacks as clear favourites & handing them praise for the way they have played this year.  With both teams having already dismantled the Boks who will be better at executing this new breed of up tempo international rugby?

Interesting article from New Plymouth about the pre-season player movement in the NPC.  Seems they were quite bullish about their acquisitions & prospects for the season.
 
Well that was before they met the Mighty Kauris in the first hit out of the season anyway.

As they say - Australians were originally hand picked by England's finest judges.  Now they seem to have enlisted a photographer to snap some of Ted's playbook for this coming weekend & published it in their daily papers.  The All Black management have been known to suffer from a bit of paranoia in the past but any reaction this time seems justified.  The interesting thing will be to see if the Aussies are able to decipher much from that lot.

As I am yet to receive the excellent Rugby News NPC season preview edition I direct you to the Auckland Herald's brief season preview & an even briefer version from the Sunday Star Times.
 
What is notable to me is the amount of movement by what I would call established players between provinces.

The All Blacks have made two changes to their starting XV for this weekend's test versus the Convicts with The Rocketman replacing Rene Ranger on the left wing & Jimmy Cowan replacing Piri at halfback.  In the other change to the 22 Victor Vito takes Liam Messam's spot on the bench.
 
Meanwhile Berrick Barnes replaces the suspended Tokoroa Kid, though he will start in number 12 & Giteau will take over at number 10.  Stephen Moore takes over from Faingaa at hooker & the other Faingaa twin earns a place on the bench.

Ever since the Wellington test the South Africans seem to have taken whinging to a new level that would put the Poms to shame.  First of all PdV moaned about cheating & said how well the Boks had played.  Then SARU have asked a judge to investigate bias by refs against the Boks.  I don't remember any of this moaning when they were winning last year.
 
To top it off PdV has now stated that refs are favouring the All Blacks so tickets can be sold for next year's RWC?