New-look All Black side as Henry names ‘possibles’ pack

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry was true to his word yesterday when he named his team to face England in Dunedin on Saturday.

Having repeatedly said the trial last week was just that, he and fellow selectors Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and Brian Lochore, opted for five of the "possibles" forwards in their new-look All Blacks side.

Jono Gibbes will make his Test debut on the blindside flank alongside Richie McCaw, one of only three forwards Chris Jack and Keven Mealamu are the others - to have survived from the All Blacks final World Cup match against France, and Xavier Rush.

Others rewarded for their performances at the trial were tighthead prop Carl Hayman and hooker Mealamu.

"It's a form pack with Carl Hayman, Jono Gibbes and Xavier Rush in particular playing their way into the side on their form in the trial," Henry said. "It's quite a big pack, which is an advantage as long as they can put it together."

Henry was so impressed by Gibbes at the trial that he handed the Chiefs skipper the starting jersey ahead of Jerry Collins, who had been expected to fill the number six spot vacated by former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne.

The back line has a familiar look about it with Carlos Spencer preferred to Andrew Mehrtens, who missed out altogether, and his Blues team-mates Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina and Doug Howlett were all retained.

Daniel Carter, captain Tana Umaga and Justin Marshall all missed the third-placed play-off against France with injury but were never in doubt to face the world champions.

England coach Clive Woodward has put the emphasis on experience.

World Cup stars Mike Catt and Matt Dawson, despite playing limited club rugby in the last two months, are among several seasoned campaigners selected as England seek their third successive victory over the All Blacks.

Catt will replace the rested Will Greenwood in midfield, winning his 64th cap as one of six personnel changes from the team beaten by Six Nations rivals France on England's last outing in March.

Catt will also have the crucial role of operating alongside Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who now has a golden opportunity to make his mark in the number 10 jersey.

Hodgson replaces Olly Barkley, with Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel handed a start and Josh Lewsey switching from wing to full back as a replacement for Jason Robinson.

Up front, prop Julian White deputises for an injured Phil Vickery, Simon Shaw starts instead of Ben Kay, who like Robinson, was given a summer off, and Chris Jones returns to the back row instead of Joe Worsley.

lMatt Williams yesterday described Scotland's performance in their 33-15 defeat to a shadow NSW Waratahs side as the most disappointing of his time in charge.

The second-string development side conceded five tries at Aussie Stadium, with London Irish-bound winger Scott Staniforth scoring twice.

Winger Elia Tuqiri, full-back Peter Hewat and Tim Clark all crossed while fly-half Tim Donnelly landed four conversions.

Scotland, who trailed 12-10 at the interval, managed just a try in each half, from prop Joel Brannigan and winger Stephen Cranston with Gordon Ross landing a penalty and conversion.

"It was very disappointing," said Williams.

"It was probably the most disappointing performance since I've been Scotland coach. The players had no excuses. Four of the tries were from turnovers and breakaway tries."