Laumape boosts midfield

THE All Blacks selectors have gone for a batteringram approach to their midfield for the second test against the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday, as Ngani Laumape wins the No 12 jersey in the absence of Ryan Crotty.

The hardrunning and defending Laumape (25) has been chosen ahead of the more subtle and experienced Anton LienertBrown, who played such an excellent supporting role for centre Jack Goodhue at ANZ Stadium last weekend, when he came on after 12 minutes, following Crotty’s head knock.

The selectors have decided that LienertBrown’s value on the reserves bench is such that they want to keep him there.

It will be Laumape’s seventh test and only his second start. The powerfullybuilt Hurricanes player is likely to be used as a blunt force object against the Wallabies before LienertBrown is injected during the second half as the All Blacks attempt to up the pace.

Crusaders midfielder Goodhue’s quality was evident last weekend when he scored his first test try in his second international, but he and Laumape have played a combined total of

eight tests, so this will be one of the most inexperienced centre partnerships ever fielded by the All Blacks in a Bledisloe Cup test.

There is only one other personnel change to the team which beat the Wallabies 3813 in Sydney to put one hand on the Bledisloe Cup for yet another year. Jordie Barrett will start at fullback, Waisake Naholo will move from the right wing to the left in the absence of the injured Rieko Ioane, and Ben Smith will move from fullback to the right wing.

The reserves bench, which had such an impact last weekend, remains unchanged, as does the pack, where tighthead prop Owen Franks will play his 100th test.

It means there is no place for wing Nehe MilnerSkudder, a possibility to replace Ioane on the left after the Blues player suffered a hamstring tear which will keep him out for two weeks.

MilnerSkudder, on the comeback from injury himself, played for Manawatu last weekend, but the selectors have decided to go for Jordie Barrett, who will play his sixth test.

The selectors decided to rest Barrett last weekend to allow him to reflect on his development, and there is little doubt his job will be slightly easier in the absence of the injured Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.

However, the need to improve on last weekend’s performance will be driven home this week by coach Steve Hansen as the Wallabies attempt to break their hoodoo at Eden Park, where they have not beaten the All Blacks since 1986.

Another home win would be the Wallabies’ 18th consecutive defeat against the All Blacks there, and they would concede the Bledisloe Cup again, extending their series drought, going back to 2002.

‘‘The team is fully aware that it has the opportunity to close out the Bledisloe Cup series on Saturday. In saying that, we know that there’ll be a massive response from Australia follow ing their performance week,’’ Hansen said.

‘‘Our preparation this week — both physically and mentally — has been all about getting ready to do that. We’ll be looking to execute to an even higher level and play at an intensity that will challenge ourselves and our opponent.’’

Hansen also paid tribute to Franks.

‘‘. . . this week it’s Owie’s turn to join that special club. He has started 90 of his 99 tests to date, which is an incredible achievement for a tighthead prop, one of the most physically demanding positions on the footy field.

‘‘His professionalism and dedication to improvement has been an inspiration to other All Blacks for quite some time now.’’ — NZME

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