Lomu only non-Crusader to start in 2nd test

Trojan

He's back. Team listing below.

Hopefully they don't blow us out of the water with a huge backlash (likely methinks).

And check out the # of Crusaders! Mad.

Al.

"You play wherever you're picked. It's been difficult to break into the side with the Crusaders going so well. I'm the odd one out on Saturday but I'm really looking forward to the game. I have my opportunity, I've my foot in now and it's up to me to keep it there."

New Zealand:

• Leon MacDonald (Canterbury);
• Jonah Lomu (Wellington),
• Mark Robinson (Canterbury),
• Aaron Mauger (Canterbury),
• Caleb Ralph (Canterbury);
• Andrew Mehrtens (Canterbury),
• Justin Marshall (Canterbury);
• Greg Somerville (Canterbury),
• Mark Hammett (Canterbury),
• Dave Hewitt (Canterbury);
• Chris Jack (Canterbury),
• Norm Maxwell (Canterbury);
• Reuben Thorne (Canterbury),
• Scott Robertson (Canterbury),
• Richard McCaw (Canterbury).

Replacements: Tom Willis (Otago), Joe McDonnell (Otago), Simon Maling (Otago), Marty Holah (Waikato), Byron Kelleher (Otago), Daryl Gibson (Canterbury), Dave Howlett (Auckland)

Hairy Homer

You know, we could just do it.

If only because after 97 years, we're due to get lucky. Just once.

Pity that O'Connel is injured. O'Kelly's fine, but we're going to need a bit of fire to take on the All Blacks after what happened last week, and O'Connell's more of a fighter than O'Kelly.

Foley should make up for what's been a substandard season for him by eating a diet of raw meat between now and Saturday.

And kicking the ball behind Lomu to see just how fast a battleship like him can turn and chase back when faced with a whippet like Murphy could just work. But for Christ's sake lads, not into his hands. OK? Especially you O'Gara.

G'wan the lads!!!!!!

CHRISTYG

Tell me this- although I LOVE my rugby, I don't follow it as closely as some people, so in your opinion. are some of the New Zealand players in because they're Canterbury players, or are all the 14 Canterbury players that start there because they are the best players in that position (which I hope to God is the case!)

Trojan

Originally posted by CHRISTYG
Tell me this- although I LOVE my rugby, I don't follow it as closely as some people, so in your opinion. are some of the New Zealand players in because they're Canterbury players, or are all the 14 Canterbury players that start there because they are the best players in that position (which I hope to God is the case!)

I think it's a bit of both: most of the CC players are the best in their positions, but 1 or 2 of them are there because while they aren't the strongest individual for that position, they mesh well and make a stronger resultant team than had there been a different person there. Or so the logic goes. It's nice to have a lot of guys from the same club on the one team.

My 2 cent.

Al.

Trojan

Originally posted by Trojan

Hopefully they don't blow us out of the water with a huge backlash (likely methinks).

D'oh.