RUGBY WORLD CUP: New Zealand v Canada, Pool A

02.10.2011

Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Preview
The All Blacks have had to make two changes to their lineup from the original selections. Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter have been withdrawn due to injuries. McCaw’s foot is not right and Carter suffered a groin injury at training.

Despite those withdrawls the Kiwis will have too much power, pace and skill for a Canadian side determined to go out in style. They have certainly won considerable repect for the way they have improved with every game.

New Zealand should win comortably.

Previous Encounters
16.06.2007 New Zealand 67-7 in Hamilton
17.10.2003 New Zealand 68-6 in Melbourne (World Cup)
22.04.1995 New Zealand 73-3 in Auckland
20.10.1991 New Zealand 29-13 in Lille (World Cup, Quarter final)
11.10.1980 New Zealand 43-10 in Burnaby

Canada has never defeated New Zealand. The above list are all tests played.

Canada This World Cup
14.09.2011 v Tonga W 25-20 in Whangarei
18.09.2011 v France L 19-46 in Napier
27.09.2011 v Japan D 23-23 in Napier

New Zealand This World Cup
09.09.2011 v Tonga W 41-10 in Auckland
16.09.2011 v Japan W 83-7 in Hamilton
24.09.2011 v France W 37-17 in Auckland

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 4th, Canada 14th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 90.62, Canada 73.74

Prediction: New Zealand by 40 points

Teams

Canada
15 Matthew Evans, 14 Conor Trainor, 13 DTH Van Der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phillip Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Edward Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 James Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair,
3 Jason Marshall, 2 Patrick Riordan,Capt. 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements
16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Andrew Tiedemann, 19 Tyler Hotson, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Sean White, 22 Nathan Hirayama.
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley

 

New Zealand
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams,
11 Zac Guildford, 10 Colin Slade 9 James Cowan, 8 Kieran Read,
7 Victor Vito, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Alistair Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock,
3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore,Capt. 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Bradley Thorn,
19 Anthony Boric, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Head Coach:Graham Henry