Yawn.

I think all test rugby should be banned in World Cup years until the tourney starts proper, as the games mean nothing, as proven by Joke White leaving his World Cup squad at home as he comes to Australia and New Zealand.  lets see how the prick likes it next season when New Zealand, after wrapping up the Tri Nations with their twin home test wins against the Boers, send over the Tairua Pipi Pickers as part of their end of season piss up.  That'll leanr them.

Yes, I do think it is pathetic what the Boers have done, and more so, the way they have done it.  Fair enough resting players from tests.  But deciding to do it after losing a home test, that the world had picked them to win (after a Super 14 win, that in the past, as in the present, proved that provincial rugby has NO baring on test rugby.  Never has never will), was sour grapes at its best.  Then quoting 'scientists' saying that they needed the rest, and a load of other shit that held as much water as a century old tea strainer.

Perhaps letting the world know that you were going to rest your players more than one day after a test loss, and one day before the touring squad is being named would be better ettuquite.  Even resting them during the nothing tests against England and Samoa before the Tri Nations would have been a good idea.  But good ideas and South African rugby have never gone together have they.

But I am 'Lee Granting' (aka digressing).  We are playing this sorry rabble this weekend, the third of the All Black Tri Nations tests.  The first time that they have played an international B side though, in a supposed 'test' match.  Perhaps the ultimate insult for the Boers would be for the All Blacks to not award test caps for this game, as it is not the nations two best XV's clashing.

Whooo, more Lee Granting!!  Move along, the 'test' match against this South Africa selection XV.  Lets look at the All Black team, and how they bounce back from their loss to the Convicts a week or two back.  That is the most interesting thing about this match, not the bloody opposition.

Was it 6 or 8 changes from the Wobbly test, something like that, but still a close to Top XV.  Certainly no players rested, maybe a few dropped (Mauger, Kelleher) for being horribly out of form, but that would be about it, the All Blacks rolling out their best XV for the game.  Unlike the suggestion emailed to the Cartel by myself to play the above mentioned Pipi Pickers in this game too.  Unlike the Boers, the All Blacks DO want to win the Tri Nations, and thought that this would be a bit of a let down for the fans.  I replied that the Pipi Pickers would probably win anyway, especially if they can keep Rangi Maniupotu off the juice until halftime.

Sorry, the changes.  Good to see Keith Robinson ready to go, again.  I think the plan to cage him up before the match, and just unleash him when the kick-off whistle goes, thus avoiding any warm-ups and consequently any injuries a master stroke.  Unfortunately, the Cartel once again have ignored my emails though, and big Robbo will be warming up with the rest of the men in black, even after I offered to pay for the raw steaks that would have kept him feed for the 24 hours pre kick off.

Kevin Mealamu gets the start this week, with Andrew Hore on the bench, and Oliver in the stand reading poetry into the Cartel's shell like ears.

The final change in the pack sees the tired looking Jerry Collins benched for the man every one is always looking for on the field, Reuben Thorne.  A big test this one for Reuben, if he plays well, and plays well at lock when he is moved into the tight, as I expect he will be, then it might be 'good night nurse' for Mr Flavell, who has not been up to test standard at lock this season - not to me anyway.

The lock injuries have been a blessing in disguise, in the fact that it has given Flavell an extended run in the engine room, and he has been found wanting.  Case in point.  Flavell is a huge bastard, biceps the size of Bournmouth, and a good runner with the ball.  So, why do we never see him, when fielding kicks or in the clear, winding up, alah Jerry Collins, and running as hard as he can into the closest most scared looking tackler?  Is he scared?  Or a rugby brain the size of a peanut?  120kg locks do NOT try to kick for touch or pass to a man half his size or chip kick.  No.  120kg locks run the ball back as hard as they can and make the tackler pay with a world of pain.  So, Flavell has failed, Thorne can succeed if he plays well this weekend.  Two into one does not go, and here, the lesser of two evils would be Thorne.  Can't see him doing anything wrong anyway...

So the forward pack other than that unchanged.  Jack, McCaw, Hayman, Woodcock and and So'oilao rounding out a powerful eight.

The blouses out back, the ones who are meant to be scoring tries and complimenting the tough as teak forward pack (no, not clapping and saying, "well done lads, top drive, keep it up") by racking up the points.  Three changes there too, so it must  be six changes from the Wobbly test eh!

Kelleher has got the arse from the whole match day 22.  Piri Weepu starting, and the exciting Leonard on the bench.  Hopefully Leonard will get plenty of game time, as both Weepu and Kelleher have looked tired and laboured in their play.  Leonard full of vim and vigour might be the best option to spark this All Black backline.

Aaron Mauger also has paid for less than Mauger like performances.  McAlister gets the 12 jersey for this test match.  Both players will be leaving at the end of this season, so play the best man for the job, and on form at the moment it is Lucky Luke.  That is if he can get out onto the pitch and away from the auction for his services for next season, being run by his 'Tennis Dad' Charlie.  That though, is another story altogether...

Toeava comes back into centre after a rest for a shoulder inury.  He'll get a sawg of game time before Conrad Smith gets his first chance in black this season after his long running, or non running, hamstring injury.  Nothing wrong with this pairing, I expect they will be heading to France come the World Cup, and will do the job when it matters.  Meaning that the experiment of Luke in 13 will not be repeated - Muliaina would be the next cab off the rank, and then Nonu even, called in if injuries demand.

Last change, new Daddy Doug Howlett gets to start in place of Joe Rokocoko, who like Collins, looked a yard off the pace in the loss to Australia.  He'll need a big game to keep in the running for a RWC spot, although not as big a game as he would have needed had Rico Gear shown any sort form last week too.

Expect some changes off the bench too.  Some game time for Nick Evans would be the first one - at either 10 or 15, decent time for Smith and Leonard too, and Thorne to lock.  These are the players we need to see taking the field for a decent bite of the cherry.  Masoe, Collins, Hore and Tialata, we know they all make the grade at this level.  The blouses though, they all need time on the field to see if they cut the mustard!

So the team (tests in brackets):  Mils Muliaina (50), Doug Howlett (57), Isaia Toeava (8), Luke McAlister (16), Sitiveni Sivivatu (17), Dan Carter (39), Piri Weepu (19), Rodney So'oialo (35), Richie McCaw (53, c), Reuben Thorne (48), Chris Jack (60), Keith Robinson (8), Carl Hayman (40), Kevin Mealamu (45), Tony Woodcock (31).  Subs.  Andrew Hore (20), Neemia Tialata (16), Jerry Collins (42), Chris Masoe (14), Brendon Leonard (2), Nick Evans (10), Conrad Smith (8).

Don't know who the Boers have picked, I have trouble remembering all their names anyway, even when they select their top XV.  But when they send over their version of the Pipi Pickers (the Durban sand Munchers?), than who knows, and who really cares.

Result of the match?  Well, the All Blacks are going to be pissed off after the Wobbly loss, the Boers pulled out their big one last week against the Wobblies, but still lost, so a handy win for the Men In Black, not without a battle though, these Bokke boys are still getting test caps for these matches, so won't lie down and die.  All the same, s 20 point spread for the good guys.