Laulala, Kaino Handed All Blacks Starts
Centre Casey Laulala and flanker Jerome Kaino, with just two caps between them, have been drafted into the New Zealand side for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland.
…Lock Troy Flavell, on as a replacement, celebrates scoring the All Blacks’ clinching try during the first Test at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium last weekend…
Centre Casey Laulala and flanker Jerome Kaino, with just two caps between them, have been drafted into the New Zealand XV for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland.
In all, Kiwi coach Graham Henry has made three changes to the side which won 34-23 in Hamilton last weekend.
The 24-year-old Laulala, who was born in Samoa and plays for the Crusaders, comes in for only his second Test cap, replacing the benched Ma’a Nonu, who failed to impress in the first Test. Laulala made his All Blacks debut against Wales in November 2004 but his chances were curtailed last year due to injury.
Blues flanker Kaino, who pipped Jamie Heaslip to the IRB U-21 World Player of the Year award in 2004, debuted for the Kiwis in last weekend’s victory, coming off the bench for Marty Holah. For the second Test, the 23-year-old replaces Holah in the starting line-up at blindside flanker.
The final change sees Greg Rawlinson make way for Blues lock Troy Flavell, who came off the bench to score the clinching try in Hamilton last weekend. Flavell will partner Chris Jack in the second row on the occasion of his 17th Test cap.
Twice-capped flanker Craig Newby and hooker Andrew Hore, who has nine caps to his name, are also new inclusions on the bench.
Henry said: “Changes have always been part of the plan for this series. One of our goals has been to see a lot of players on the park, so this is part of a process. The challenge is to make sure our performance continues to improve while we make changes.”
NEW ZEALAND TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v Ireland):
15 – Mils Muliaina
14 – Doug Howlett
13 – Casey Laulala
12 – Aaron Mauger
11 – Joe Rokocoko
10 – Luke McAlister
9 – Byron Kelleher
1 – Clarke Dermody
2 – Keven Mealamu
3 – Carl Hayman
4 – Chris Jack
5 – Troy Flavell
6 – Jerome Kaino
7 – Richie McCaw (captain)
8 – Rodney So’oialo
Replacements:
16 – Andrew Hore
17 – Neemia Tialata
18 – Greg Rawlinson
19 – Craig Newby
20 – Jimmy Cowan
21 – David Hill
22 – Ma’a Nonu