Thursday 27th September 2007
Graham Henry has handed Keith Robinson his first start on the World Cup naming a side showing twelve changes for their final pool game against Romania in Toulouse on Saturday.
Robinson, who has been suffering from a calf injury, will make his World Cup debut in a game that has become hugely important to the All Blacks.
Having failed to find their form against Scotland, in what was billed as their only tough pool game, New Zealand know this is their last chance to ensure they are in top form before a potential quarter final with France.
To that end, Henry has kept Dan Carter at fly-half. Carter had an off-day against Scotland, most notably with his kicking.
But it is the return of Robinson to the side that is the big boost for New Zealand, and it is a game he is awaiting with much enthusiasm.
"We've done a lot of work in the last couple of weeks and it's been building for the Romania game, and the last couple of days I've done a lot of conditioning on it. I'm very confident it's fine," said Robinson of his calf injury to the NZPA.
Robinson revealed he had expected to start the first match of the World Cup, against Italy in Marseille three weeks ago.
Having already endured a career blighted by injuries that have seen him play only 10 Tests since his debut against England in 2002, he feared his World Cup was over before it had even started.
"There was a day like that when I slipped up [in Corsica] but the day after an injury you always think it's the end of the world," he said.
"There was no pressure on me from them [the coaches], the only pressure was pressure I put on myself."
As well as Carter, the All Black coaches have opted to retain Reuben Thorne, Chris Masoe, and Sitiveni Sivivatu in the side for Saturday. Thorne, who made his first appearance of the World Cup in the 40-0 win over Scotland will partner Robinson in the second row.
Meanwhile, under-pressure wing Sivivatu will relish the chance to prove himself after a decidedly average display against Scotland. With Doug Howlett seemingly the first choice wing it is left to Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko, who starts on the right wing, to battle it out for the remaining winger's berth.
Chris Masoe, who started at blind side last week, will switch to openside this time around, with Richie McCaw afforded a rest.
Jerry Collins, who will again captain the side, was not worried about the players making the adjustment next week from playing Romania to an intense quarter-final.
Collins put the welter of mistakes in Edinburgh - there were 20 handling errors - down to "just one of those things".
"You get games where the passes stick and the timing is good," he said.
"We're using the last pool game to try and iron those things out and build on what we are good at."
Henry defended the selection of the side from suggestions he has missed the chance to give his top side another run before the quarter-final in Cardiff.
"One of our major goals is to go into the quarter-finals with all 30 players ready for action," Henry said.
"We want every player to have had game time and also to be fresh for the knockout rounds.
"It's a balancing act and that's been a big part of our thinking around selections for this match."
New Zealand: 15 Nick Evans, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins (c), 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Reuben Thorne, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Neemia Tialata.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Conrad Smith.
Date: Saturday 29th September, 2007
Kick off: 13:00 (12:00 BST, 11:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Municipal, Toulouse
Referee: Joël Jutge
Touch judges: Federico Cuesta, Malcolm Changleng
Television match official: Paul Marks
Assessor: Tappe Henning
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