I have two concerns (and they concern Wellington players
). Why move Gibbes to #6. Yes he played his entire career there, and only this season at lock... the season he gets the All Black callup.
Now, in the trial Gibbes was instrumental in the Possibles engine room which took apart the Probables scrum.
And, if that wasn't enough, you have one of the best #6s in the world (Jerry Collins) on the bench. I mean you're playing the world champions, why hold back ?
The only reason I can really think of is that Henry wants to play around with the lineout, using Gibbes as another option, and giving Collins a rest, as he he as been pretty beat-up for most of the S12.
Also, Kevin Meelamu at hooker. Now, Andrew Hore had a consistantly outstanding season at hooker. His line-out was nice and straight, and his power-running often added tries for the Hurricanes. Whereas Meelamu had absolute mares for most of the S12 and only got some form in the last two weeks of the comp, had an ok trial, and is suddenly the starting hooker. Hore had a decent trial where he scored a much needed try, and he outweighs Meelamu by 8 kgs, when you're facing the English forward pack which has probably the best scrum in the world, I reckon every kg you can get is crucial.
The backs look good, but I think Tuitupou is vastly overrated and undersized, and where are you going to play him off the bench ? In the place of the captain ? Unlikely. As 2nd five ? Only if you take out Spence and therefore the playmaker, and move Carter to first five, subbing Carter out is idiotic as you NEED a precise kicker to beat the poms. Put him at fullback ? Nick Evans is a better fullback for my money. Perhaps he is only there as injury cover ?
I'm hoping the All Blacks win, but I won't be surprised if they don't.