Friday, September 18, 2009

New Zealand v Australia (Sat)

TRI-NATIONS
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington Date: 19 September Kick-off: 0835 BST
Coverage: Live scores on BBC Sport website, Live on Sky Sports 2


Graham Henry
Graham Henry's contract was extended to the end 2011 in July

New Zealand will look to avoid losing three home matches in the same season for the first time when they meet a buoyant Australia in Wellington.

Defeat would put the All Blacks bottom of the Tri-Nations table and turn more attention on coach Graham Henry.

"The coaches are always under pressure when you have a loss the week before," said captain Richie McCaw.

"They've been great this week, they haven't allowed any of that to come through to the team."

Before a 30-28 loss to South Africa in Dunedin in July 2008, New Zealand had not lost in 30 internationals at home.

606: DEBATE
blindside

Since then France have emerged with a 27-22 victory from the first match of a two-Test tour in June and South Africa clinched a first Tri-Nations crown since 2004 with a 32-29 win in Hamilton last weekend.

Australia coach Robbie Deans, who saw his side inflict the Springboks' only defeat of the tournament in their last outing, has pushed youth to the fore.

Scrum-half Will Genia, 21, made his debut in the 21-6 win while 19-year-old full-back James O'Connor has impressed with four tries in his nine appearances.

"I guess the thing you get with a young group is they aren't burdened with the past and they are very excited about the opportunity," said Deans.

"Obviously in terms of the Tri-Nations there is not a lot at stake but you're dealing with two proud rugby nations. It is a damn important game to us."


New Zealand: Muliaina; Jane, Toeava, Nonu, Rokocoko; Carter, Cowan; Tialata, Hore, Woodcock, Donnelly, Thorn, Read, McCaw (c), Thomson.
Reserves: de Malmanche, Afoa, Eaton, So'oialo, Leonard, Donald, Gear.

Australia: O'Connor; Turner, Ashley-Cooper, Barnes, Mitchell; Giteau, Genia; Alexander, Polota-Nau, Robinson, Chisholm, Horwill, Smith (c), Pocock, Elsom.
Replacements: Moore, Cowan, Mumm, Palu, Burgess, Cooper, Hynes.

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