New Zealand V Romania: If this were gymnastics the All Blacks would be toast

Romania has one of the strongest traditions in world rugby today.  They have had a national rugger competition since 1914 and for much of the 20th century, the Romanian 'Oaks' were the sixth best team in Europe.  In fact, up until the 1970s and 1980s (where they claimed French, Welsh, Irish and Italian totty) there were on par to join the Five Nations.  The Romanian Revolution of 1989 changed the course of things in all facets of Romanian life, rugby included.  So it with sadness and resignation that the contest today is not expected to be a great one.

It is also a slight surprise that once again, that canny old bugger Graham Henry has chosen to field yet another 'B' squad - much to the disgust of the NZ fanatics - to play the Romanians, (Lauaki, Thorne and Masoe selections, a case in point).  According to Ted, this chopping and changing has been part of the strategic plan ever since George Gregan yelled 'four more years' into a teary Joe Rokocoko's ear back in that Sydney semi of 2003.  Whether this strategy of rotation will work or not (i.e. will the All Blacks manage to end the twenty year curse of choking) remains to be seen.  But it has brought to light a fair amount of grumbling from the hard to please NZ media who think they know better than Father Ted.

Still, with a B team running out against the Romanians, there are some interesting combinations to take a squizz at this weekend.  Nick Evans did well at full back against Scotland with his sleight of hand and ability to find a gap at speed; so with Mils Muliaina and Leon McDonald injured, this is the time for a run out.  With Dan Carter withdrawn (and in doubt for the quarter-finals, eek!), Luke McAlister comes off the bench to fill the first-five spot.  He should be ably backed by Isaia Toeava at centre and Aaron 'the brain' Mauger who is rather good at calling the tactical shots.  One would hope that the backline may show a bit more fizz than what they managed at 'Butterfield'.  (And here's hoping Sitiveni Sivivatu has grasped the basic skills of catching and passing the ball finally).

The All Blacks pack is a raggedy collection of aging, young and oft-injured players out to stake their place in the team for the quarter-final berth against the might of er, the Oaks.  Meal ticket lock Keith Robinson is back in the frame and will be hoping for a stormer alongside locking parter (and often loose forward) Reuben Thorne.  Whether Keith will do a 'Keith' by injuring himself in the warm-ups before the game remains to be seen.  But if he does manage to stay on two feet for the full 80, the All Black selectors will be relieved as he can be a danger man to any opposition (but mainly he remains the largest danger to himself when he's doing those stretches).

The Romanians have had a feisty tournament.  They took the Italians to the wire losing 18-24 and won against Rugby World Cup lovies Portugal 14 - 10.  They will bring physicality to the match, especially at scrum time and will not let the All Blacks off lightly.  With a fair amount of the team playing professional second division rugby in France, they have every reason to believe they can maybe give the All Blacks a decent knock, or if nothing else, get Keith back on the injury bench. 

Like all minnow teams, they possess dignity too.  We haven't heard them moaning in Hadden-esque style of the turnaround time between tests (from their test against Portugal to play New Zealand, it is a mere three days).  Low and behold, they've even got the balls to send out their strongest team possible.  Something Scotland could have learnt a thing or two about .... and Henry as well, for that matter.

NZ 15:  Tialata, Mealamu, Somerville, Thorne, Robinson, Collins, Masoe, Lauaki, Ellis, McAlister, Sivivatu, Mauger, Toeava, Rokocoko, Evans

Romania 15: Balan, Tincu, Florea, Socol, Petre, Corodeanu, Manta, Tonita, Sirbu, Dimofte, Brezoianu, Gontineac, Gal, Ciuntu, Dumitras

Referee: Joel Jutge (France)