Weekend Match Preview

NZ vs ENG part2

Ok this is going to be a very good game to watch and I think it will be a nervous one for the Abs but I think they will take it. The battle ground is Christchurch and the conditions will hopefully be similar to last week. England have had a terrible week of preparation with all the distraction of the field with the rape charges but we all know things like this can motivate a side especially if the allegations are false, but either way it will no doubt affect the team. Starting with the backs they have bulked up the midfield defence with Noon and Flood (who is a natural centre) and have sacrificed ball players and kickers in Hogdson and Barkely. Not to say the new guys are not ball players, in fact I think Flood is one of the best distributors of the ball and he is not a bad kicker.

The Abs have stuck with the same 9, 10 and 12 which I think is key besides the fact that I think Ellis had an average game with the ball last week his work rate off the ball was very impressive almost like a 3rd flank. Henry has put faith in Kahui and lets hope he lasts the game without injury coz that boy is seriously injury prone. He D is impressive so Tindell will be iced and his distribution is what made Siti and Flash look so good for the chiefs, I do worry about his footwork and I don’t know him to carry the ball much, I may be wrong. Macdonald is back at 15 and I think from his stint last weekend he is rearing to go.Him and Wulf will be the secret weapons as the England backs will focus on Nonu, Carter and Siti. Wulf has his critics and the stage is set for him to answer them I think its time this youngster turned it up because the potential is there. I would like to see him increase his work load and make some runs in the midfield off the inside backs ala Howlett coz if he gets through he is gone.

The Forwards once again will be the deciding factor although Sheridan is out, which is a big loss for the poms, the have brought in replacements (who I don’t know) but I am sure they will look to that area of the game to dominate the all blacks. They did well in spoiling all blacks ball in part 1 and they read the set pieces very well but failed to make anything of it. They decided to try and throw it around a bit too late in the game and that is not their natural game plan so it failed. I think they would have been drilled hard this week and try and give the back some good front foot ball, kick in the corners and keep it tight.

The Abs have changed things around and besides all his critics I am happy to see So’oialo staying in the squad. His time at 6 think was superb he put in some serious workman-like performances and was very effective in the line-outs. He has not had many chances to run with the ball but when he has he has done the basics well and been an effective link, but he will get a bit of ball in hand now which I am sure he is looking forward to. Elmo’s boy Somerville is back also nice to see and clearly the 3 wise men are expecting a battle of attrition up front and he who lasts the longest will suffice. The big question is who is Adam Thomson? I know him as the crazy guy from the highlanders who plays with his socks down. He is a pretty tough dude and reminds me of Schalk Burger not as good but with a bit more skill and that John Cena – YOU CAN”T SEE ME - celebration that he does he has a bit more flair. The worry is that there will not have a player to do the grind work that So’oialo has been doing and they may be in a bit of trouble in the lose, hence the significance of having Ellis.

Finally (eish! It was supposed to be short) I think it will be a lot closer and it will demand much more from the players than the last but I think the Abs will take it…Oh by the way I am loving Keven leading the Haka he proper looks and sounds the part.