The All Blacks have been dealt a slight blow with in-form blindside flanker, Liam Messam, ruled out of the first Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship test against Australia in Sydney this Saturday. Messam, who helped guide the Chiefs to Super Rugby glory for the 2nd year in a row this year, strained his hamstring in training.
Messam's misfortune is Steven Luatua's fortune with the Blues utility forward set to start his first Bledisloe Cup game this Saturday.
Messam might not be the only All Black ruled out with injury with Ma'a Nonu still nursing a bit of a niggle meaning that Ryan Crotty could possibly get his first All Blacks cap as a starter - he will probably get one off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have named Brumbies first five, Matt Toomua at first five ahead of the much vaunted Quade Cooper.
The teams are as follows -
Australia - 15 Jesse Mogg; 14 Israel Folau, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 James O'Connor; 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Will Genia; 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.
Reserves: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Scott Fardy, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Tevita Kuridrani
New Zealand - 1. Tony Woodcock (98 Tests), 2. Andrew Hore (76), 3. Owen Franks (47), 4. Luke Romano (14), 5. Samuel Whitelock (41), 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Richie McCaw (capt.) (116), 8. Kieran Read (51), 9. Aaron Smith (15), 10. Aaron Cruden (22), 11. Julian Savea (11), 12. Ma'a Nonu (79), 13. Conrad Smith (69), 14. Ben Smith (15)15. Israel Dagg (28)
Reserves: 16. Keven Mealamu (104), 17. Ben Franks (25), 18. Charlie Faumuina (7), 19. Brodie Retallick (14), 20. Sam Cane (7), 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (4), 22. Beauden Barrett (8), 23. Ryan Crotty
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