Smith sacking surprises Henry

29 Oct 2009

Graham Henry was surprised at George Smith’s relegation to the Australian bench, but said it could give them extra intensity.

Smith was dropped for South African-born and Zimbabwe-raised David Pocock, who will try and nullify Richie McCaw. All Blacks coach Henry didn’t expect the move, but feels the demotion of the Test centurion could be a tonic for the team.

‘Smith is an outstanding international footballer, and it is a wee bit of a surprise to us, but we’re not working with that team. We’ve got enough challenges of our own, without trying to pick the Australian team,’ said Henry.

‘When you make changes it adds an extra edge. You can’t do it every week, but it does bring something to the team. We made a number of changes for Wellington and I thought that brought an extra edge. And I’m sure Robbie [Deans] is hoping that will occur here also.’

The Wallabies have also made changes to the backs, with Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes on the wings, bringing in Ryan Cross, which allows Adam Ashley-Cooper to start at fullback.

‘They’ve added a bit of punch,’ said new backs coach Steve Hansen. ‘The guys on the wing are both big strong players, and the change at centre makes them a little bit stronger at fullback. So it’s probably the best back line they’ve picked this season.’


6 Comments

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2009, 09:02 am

    He is no 8 !!

  • 2.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2009, 10:12 am

    Is this game being televised?

  • 3.DonutDunning: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2009, 10:46 am

    Ok moderation didn’t like that link so I’ll go again.

    Barnes is gone for the Tokyo Bledisloe, and probably the whole EOYT.

    Wallabies vice-captain Berrick Barnes has been ruled out of Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks after rolling his left ankle at training in Tokyo today.

    Barnes’s scratching has prompted coach Robbie Deans to reshuffle his backline, promoting teenager James O’Connor from the bench to start at fullback and moving Adam Ashley-Cooper to inside centre.

    A disruption like this to the starting backline just 2 days out has really hurt the Wallabies chances…

  • 4.schalla: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2009, 18:50 pm

    #3 DonutDunning: No, because that implies that they had a chance to begin with.

  • 5.Chris D: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2009, 09:42 am

    Doesn’t even look as though supersport even paid for a delayed broadcast.

    Whats irritating is that there’s just silence on the issue. If they just said hat due to “rights” or “Advertising” or something in Japan the game wont be televised….. Or just tell the truth and say its too expensive for the biggest sporting channel in Africa…….

  • 6.PaulLondon: Reply to this comment
    30 Oct 2009, 12:24 pm

    #2. XhosaKid :

    Is this game being televised?

    Not sure if you are in the UK? If yes then the game live ojn SKYSPORTS tomorrow morning

    Fri 30 Canterbury v Hawke’s Bay (6.35am) 6.35am Air New Zealand Cup semi-final
    Sat 30 Bristol v Coventry (7.45pm)
    7.30pm Championship
    Sat 31 Wellington v Southland (6.05am) 6.05am Air New Zealand Cup semi-final
    Sat 31 New Zealand v Australia (8.30am) 8.30am Bledisloe Cup
    Sat 31 Bulls v Cheetahs 2.30pm Currie Cup Final
    Sat 31 Leicester v Northampton (5.35pm)
    5.30pm Guinness Premiership

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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