By Ouseburn (on 06/11/02)
November 6 2002

The Autumn test series is fast approaching. Ouseburn previews the first of the three Investec Challenge fixtures. The All Blacks are the first of the Southern Hemisphere teams to face England, but are they really the underdogs? INVESTEC CHALLENGE FIXTURES

09/11/02 ENGLAND VS. NEW ZEALAND 2.30pm TWICKENHAM
16/11/02 ENGLAND VS. AUSTRALIA 2.30pm TWICKENHAM
23/1102 ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA 2.30pm TWICKENHAM

NEW ZEALAND - THE UNDERDOGS?

In my opinion that is one thing a New Zealand team will never be, but that is just what their Captain Taine Randell is reported to have said this week. Why? Because of the new look ‘All Blacks’! No place in the team for Andrew Mehrtens, Danny Lee or Christian Cullen and many say this is a New Zealand (B) team!

To believe this would be folly and I was pleased to hear Clive Woodward warning ‘Team England’ that New Zealand will be a huge challenge despite the inexperience of their squad. Now what about this inexperienced New Zealand side? Well Jonah Lomu is not what I would call inexperienced, and it has been said that this is a make or break tour for him. Perhaps the All Blacks are remembering James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester) getting around Lomu to score a try for England against the Barbarians in May this year. So Jonah has to perform this tour.

ALL BLACK TEAM:

15. Ben Blair, 14. Doug Howlett, 13. Tana Umaga, 12. Keith Lowen, 11. Jonah Lomu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9. Steve Devine, 8. Sam Broomhall, 7. Marty Holah, 6. Taine Randell (c), 5. Keith Robinson, 4. Ali Williams, 3. Kees Meeuws, 2. Andrew Hore, 1 Joe McDonnell.

Replacements:

Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman, Brad Mika, Rodney So'oialo, Danny Lee, Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Robinson.

The New Zealanders are a very proud rugby nation and their history does not allow them to think like underdogs. In my opinion this is all just hype for the England psyche to digest and hopefully upset them because if there is one chink in the armour of ‘Team England’ it is their self belief when it comes down to the crucial matches. The skills, the strength in depth apart from centres, the stamina they have it all BUT the mindset is another part they must work on.

No, any nation who can produce the HAKA means business - trust me!

THE HAKA

‘Ka mate ka mate,

ka ora ka mate ka mate,

ka ora tenie te tengata,

puhuru huru nan e piki mai,

whaka whiti te ra hupanei,

hupanei kaupanei whitie te ra.’

The full English translation roughly is.

‘There is going to be a fight between us.

May it mean death to you and life to us.

We will fight on so long as the daylight last,

or until our side is vanquished.

We are here to continue the battle,

either to be killed or to be victorious.’

ENGLAND TEAM:

15. Jason Robinson (Sharks)
14. James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester)
13. Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins)
12. Mike Tindall (Bath)
11. Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints)
10. Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons)
9. Matt Dawson (Northampton Saints)
1. Trevor Woodman (Gloucester)
2. Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints)
3. Phil Vickery (Gloucester)
4. Martin Johnson (Leicester Tigers) CAPTAIN
5. Danny Grewcock (Bath)
6. Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
7. Richard Hill (Saracens)
8. Lawrence Dallaglio (London Wasps)

Replacements

16. Mark Regan (Leeds Tykes)
17. Jason Leonard (NEC Harlequins)
18. Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers)
19. Neil Back (Leicester Tigers)
20. Austin Healey (Leicester Tigers)
21. Ben Johnston (Saracens)
22. Tim Stimpson (Leicester Tigers)

Well I have to say I like the look of the side and I am delighted to see Simpson-Daniel, Trevor Woodman and Lewis Moody in the team and I had no doubt that Lawrence would find his way back in again. Many fans are saying: “but what about Neil Back and Austin on the bench?” One thing that Clive Woodward is true to form about is that he has said he will play people who he feels are up for it and on form. We only need to look at where Gloucester and Leicester currently reside in the Zurich Premiership table to see he is being consistent. However, having said that I feel that there are some players are in the squad, who are not playing well at all.

New Zealand were the last team to beat England at Twickenham in the group stage of the 1999 World Cup. Since that 30 - 16 defeat England have won 15 successive matches and I am looking forward to seeing a 16th win. I’m off to Twickenham to sing ’Swing Low’ and enjoy watching the New Zealand team play win or lose. Prediction: England 27 v New Zealand 18 - Oh I do hope I am correct!

So all it remains for me to say is:

The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge...

"CRY GOD FOR HARRY ENGLAND AND ST. GEORGE"

(Henry V (1599) Act 3, Scene 1)