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DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — Cautioned by the surprise defeat Australia suffered to Samoa last weekend, New Zealand will be taking nothing for granted when it takes on Fiji in the All Blacks' first test of the season on Friday.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry on Wednesday named a team for the match which is short of full strength but still strong enough to suggest a respectful appraisal of the challenge posed by the fast and physical Fijians.
After a Super 15 season disrupted by injury, Richie McCaw will captain the All Blacks in his 95th test, sharing the record as New Zealand's most-capped player with Mils Muliaina who will start his 95th international at fullback.
Star flyhalf Dan Carter will start on the bench, allowing Colin Slade — in only his second test and his first starting appearance — to press his claims to be Carter's understudy at the World Cup.
Fiji slumped from No. 10 to its lowest-ever world ranking of No. 14 during this month's Pacific Nations Cup in which it finished third behind Japan and Tonga. It will still bring to Dunedin's Carisbrook stadium — hosting the last rugby test of its more than 100-year history — a team made up of solid, overseas-based professionals.
Carter said New Zealand would be on its guard in the opening match of its international season, a prelude to the Tri-Nations tournament and ultimately September's World Cup.
"It's going to be a tough match because they're always a pretty unpredictable side to come up against and always extremely physical," Carter said.
"Just watching them in the Pacific Nations, some of their games they're extremely physical and like I said with them being so unpredictable they can score tries from the length of the field.
"We pride ourselves on our physicality, so they (Fiji) are a good match. We're still learning a few things about our game plan so a lot of focus has been on us and not the Fijians."
New Zealand won 91-0 when the teams last met, in Auckland, in 2005 and beat Fiji 68-18 in 2002, 71-5 in 1997 and 74-13 on its way to winning the 1987 World Cup.
That record indicated a wide gulf between the teams but Samoa's upset win against Australia warned the All Blacks that Pacific Island nations can still spring surprises.
Slade's performance will be of particular interest to Henry and co-coaches Wayne Smith and Steven Hansen as they work towards the World Cup. Slade has been given the chance to prove himself as the backup to Carter after a Super 15 season wrecked by injury.
"He hasn't played a lot of footy, and he needs to step up from the levels he's playing," Henry said. "He understands that.
"He needs to navigate the team well. He's got some personal challenges in how he plays; he needs to play with a bit more intensity, a bit more sharpness and he needs to get his head clear so he can navigate the side."
Fiji will also be developing its World Cup squad, with a dwindling number of games available before September.
"We played our last Pacific Nations Cup match on July 13 and have only the series in August against Tonga to test players prior to the actual World Cup, so having a test against the best team in the world between the PNC and the (Tonga) series fits perfectly into our preparations," coach Sam Domoni said.
Fiji made a late change to its match XV on Wednesday when lock Ifereimi Rawaqa was forced to withdraw with a viral infection. His place was taken by France-based second rower Josefa Domolailai.
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Lineups:
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.
Fiji squad: Iliesa Keresoni, Vereniki Goneva, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai, Vitori Buatava, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), Sekonaia Kalou, Josefa Domolailai, Deacon Manu, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu. Reserves: Setefano Samoca, Viliame Veikoso, Rupeni Nasiga, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Ranuku, Taniela Rawaqa, Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei (two to be omitted).
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New Zealand coach Graham Henry on Wednesday named a team for the match which is short of full strength but still strong enough to suggest a respectful appraisal of the challenge posed by the fast and physical Fijians.
After a Super 15 season disrupted by injury, Richie McCaw will captain the All Blacks in his 95th test, sharing the record as New Zealand's most-capped player with Mils Muliaina who will start his 95th international at fullback.
Star flyhalf Dan Carter will start on the bench, allowing Colin Slade — in only his second test and his first starting appearance — to press his claims to be Carter's understudy at the World Cup.
Fiji slumped from No. 10 to its lowest-ever world ranking of No. 14 during this month's Pacific Nations Cup in which it finished third behind Japan and Tonga. It will still bring to Dunedin's Carisbrook stadium — hosting the last rugby test of its more than 100-year history — a team made up of solid, overseas-based professionals.
Carter said New Zealand would be on its guard in the opening match of its international season, a prelude to the Tri-Nations tournament and ultimately September's World Cup.
"It's going to be a tough match because they're always a pretty unpredictable side to come up against and always extremely physical," Carter said.
"Just watching them in the Pacific Nations, some of their games they're extremely physical and like I said with them being so unpredictable they can score tries from the length of the field.
"We pride ourselves on our physicality, so they (Fiji) are a good match. We're still learning a few things about our game plan so a lot of focus has been on us and not the Fijians."
New Zealand won 91-0 when the teams last met, in Auckland, in 2005 and beat Fiji 68-18 in 2002, 71-5 in 1997 and 74-13 on its way to winning the 1987 World Cup.
That record indicated a wide gulf between the teams but Samoa's upset win against Australia warned the All Blacks that Pacific Island nations can still spring surprises.
Slade's performance will be of particular interest to Henry and co-coaches Wayne Smith and Steven Hansen as they work towards the World Cup. Slade has been given the chance to prove himself as the backup to Carter after a Super 15 season wrecked by injury.
"He hasn't played a lot of footy, and he needs to step up from the levels he's playing," Henry said. "He understands that.
"He needs to navigate the team well. He's got some personal challenges in how he plays; he needs to play with a bit more intensity, a bit more sharpness and he needs to get his head clear so he can navigate the side."
Fiji will also be developing its World Cup squad, with a dwindling number of games available before September.
"We played our last Pacific Nations Cup match on July 13 and have only the series in August against Tonga to test players prior to the actual World Cup, so having a test against the best team in the world between the PNC and the (Tonga) series fits perfectly into our preparations," coach Sam Domoni said.
Fiji made a late change to its match XV on Wednesday when lock Ifereimi Rawaqa was forced to withdraw with a viral infection. His place was taken by France-based second rower Josefa Domolailai.
______
Lineups:
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.
Fiji squad: Iliesa Keresoni, Vereniki Goneva, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai, Vitori Buatava, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), Sekonaia Kalou, Josefa Domolailai, Deacon Manu, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu. Reserves: Setefano Samoca, Viliame Veikoso, Rupeni Nasiga, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Ranuku, Taniela Rawaqa, Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei (two to be omitted).
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