Muliaina set for All Blacks’ Croker clash
Muliaina was given permission to stay with his wife and newborn baby when the team departed for the Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup test but arrived in London yesterday, linking up with his teammates as they transited en route to Dublin.
Graham Henry gambled that his second string selection would be too strong for Scotland and that assessment proved correct as a side with 12 changes from the team which clawed past the Wallabies in Hong Kong, saw off Scotland 32-6 on Saturday at Murrayfield. The emphatic scoreline did not indicate the pressure the Scots inflicted for large chunks of the test, more the All Blacks’ tenacious defence and their conversion of limited chances.
Two injuries blighted the result with Isaia Toeava not returning after half time because of a shoulder/arm injury while substitute halfback Andy Ellis was replaced after damaging his rib cartilage, leaving the unusual sight of Daniel Carter filling in at halfback for the last 10 minutes.
Muliaina’s should have him back in the No 15 jersey at Croke Park while there may be some thought to Jason Eaton and Corey Flynn getting a start to allow Ali Williams and Keven Mealamu a breather.
Joe Rokocoko may also get another burst on the wing where he was busy against Scotland while Richard Kahui ramped up his claims for a repeat start.
Admitted coach Graham Henry: “We were a bit rusty, we have got a bit of work to do but this was the first time this team has played together. It was a satisfying result for us, a good way to start the tour and lots of work to be done.”
Henry gave little away about his selection plans for Ireland other than to say there would be a few changes.
“It will be a big contest again,” he said. “I thought they had a good summer tour [in New Zealand] and they will build on that.” One man who won’t be involved is Andy Ellis, who was heading home yesterday after a rib cartilage was displaced at Murrayfield.
The blow was unrelated to a similar injury the scrum-half suffered against the Wallabies in July but the disappointment was just as keenly felt by Ellis, who has already had to watch from the sideline this season as Jimmy Cowan and then Piri Weepu superseded him.
Weepu’s Wellington team-mate Alby Mathewson will be summoned as a replacement, providing All Blacks management can confirm his fitness.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen said it was decided Ellis, who played 20 minutes off the bench at Murrayfield, could realistically have no further involvement on the tour.
“Unfortunately for Andy he has a new rib injury, a displaced rib cartilage,” Hansen said.
“It makes him a high risk for future injury and we’re not prepared to allow that to happen.”
The prognosis was more optimistic for the All Blacks’ other casualty from a rugged encounter with the Scots, makeshift fullback Isaia Toeava.
However, a bench spot is the best the utility can hope for after Hansen indicated Mils Muliaina would be immediately pressed into service following his return from parental leave.
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