ALL BLACKS VS TONGA: EL PREVIO
Publicado: Jue, 08 Sep 2011, 10:15
Bueno, como esto se anima, dejo un resumen y las alineaciones para el primer partido (está en inglés, sorry)
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: He's set to be one of the stars of the World Cup... as long as he can make his team's first XV: Sonny Bill Williams has been given a rare opportunity to start and show us all what he is capable of. He floats like a butterfly, off-loads like a magician and hits like a lumberjack. If SBW is given enough space, we're likely to be treated to a real spectacle. But will it be enough to earn a place in the team to face France in two weeks?
For Tonga: Tongan-born but New Zealand-educated Soane Tonga'uiha is a star of the English Premiership where the Northampton Saints charger is a try-scoring phenomenon, ending the last two seasons as the league's top-scoring prop. In what is set to be a high-scoring game, the 126 kg man-mountain is bound to get a chance to show of his impressive turn of speed
Head-to-head: Competition for places in the All Blacks back-row in red hot at the moment and Jerome Kaino will be out cement his berth while Adam Thomson is sidelined with an elbow injury. He'll be up against Tonga captain Finau Maka, who could be a little rusty since he now is playing his trade in France's third division. But the former Toulouse back rower's reputation for big hits and barnstorming runs is well earned so his tussle with Kaino is sure to be exciting to watch.
Previous results:
2003: New Zealand won 91 -7 in Brisbane
2000: New Zealand won 102-0 in North Shore City
1999: New Zealand won 45 - 9 in Bristol
Prediction: No mystery here. The crowd should get plenty in return for forking out for the tickets to the opening game. New Zealand by 45 points
Rugby World Cup betting odds
The teams:
New Zealand 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Isaia Toeava, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Cory Jane.
Tonga: 15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Viliame Iongi, 13 Suka Hufanga, 12 Andrew Ma'ilei, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Finau Maka (c), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joe Tu'ineau, 4 Paino Hehea, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Alisona Taumalolo, 18 Kisi Pulu, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Samiu Vahafolau, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Alipate Fatafehi.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: He's set to be one of the stars of the World Cup... as long as he can make his team's first XV: Sonny Bill Williams has been given a rare opportunity to start and show us all what he is capable of. He floats like a butterfly, off-loads like a magician and hits like a lumberjack. If SBW is given enough space, we're likely to be treated to a real spectacle. But will it be enough to earn a place in the team to face France in two weeks?
For Tonga: Tongan-born but New Zealand-educated Soane Tonga'uiha is a star of the English Premiership where the Northampton Saints charger is a try-scoring phenomenon, ending the last two seasons as the league's top-scoring prop. In what is set to be a high-scoring game, the 126 kg man-mountain is bound to get a chance to show of his impressive turn of speed
Head-to-head: Competition for places in the All Blacks back-row in red hot at the moment and Jerome Kaino will be out cement his berth while Adam Thomson is sidelined with an elbow injury. He'll be up against Tonga captain Finau Maka, who could be a little rusty since he now is playing his trade in France's third division. But the former Toulouse back rower's reputation for big hits and barnstorming runs is well earned so his tussle with Kaino is sure to be exciting to watch.
Previous results:
2003: New Zealand won 91 -7 in Brisbane
2000: New Zealand won 102-0 in North Shore City
1999: New Zealand won 45 - 9 in Bristol
Prediction: No mystery here. The crowd should get plenty in return for forking out for the tickets to the opening game. New Zealand by 45 points
Rugby World Cup betting odds
The teams:
New Zealand 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Isaia Toeava, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Cory Jane.
Tonga: 15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Viliame Iongi, 13 Suka Hufanga, 12 Andrew Ma'ilei, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Finau Maka (c), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joe Tu'ineau, 4 Paino Hehea, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Alisona Taumalolo, 18 Kisi Pulu, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Samiu Vahafolau, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Alipate Fatafehi.