All Blacks team to play Australia
August 04, 2004 - 8:45am
Story by: ARU
All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen and fellow selector, Sir Brian Lochore, have announced the following team to play Australia on Saturday August 7 at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, in the Philips Tri Nations match.
1. Kees Meeuws
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Carl Hayman
4. Chris Jack
5. Ali Williams
6. Jono Gibbes
7. Marty Holah
8. Xavier Rush
9. Justin Marshall
10. Carlos Spencer
11. Joe Rokocoko
12. Daniel Carter
13. Tana Umaga (Captain)
14. Doug Howlett
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore
17. Greg Somerville
18. Mose Tuiali'i / Simon Maling
19. Craig Newby
20. Byron Kelleher
21. Andrew Mehrtens
22. Sam Tuitupou
The All Blacks starting XV features three changes from the team which started the previous Philips Tri Nations match against South Africa.
As a result of the calf injury suffered in last Friday's Waikato pre-season match against North Harbour, Keith Robinson is unavailable for selection and will not travel with the team to Australia and South Africa. Ali Williams, who was added to the All Blacks squad on Sunday, will start Saturday's test. He joins blindside flanker Jono Gibbes, who returns from injury, and Carl Hayman at tighthead prop, as the new starters for the match against Australia.
