NEW ZEALAND HAVE named uncapped Hurricanes star Nehe Milner-Skudder on the right wing in their team to face Australia in Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider in Sydney (KO 11.05 Irish time).
The 24-year-old was nothing short of sensational in the Hurricanes’ run to this year’s Super Rugby final, featuring at fullback and on the wing. Milner-Skudder’s recovery from injury has now allowed Steve Hansen to hand the thrilling attacking talent an international debut and an opportunity to stake his World Cup claim.
Blockbusting powerhouse Julian Savea returns on the left wing for the Kiwis, with Ben Smith completing a mouth-watering back three.
With Ma’a Nonu dropping out of the side, Sonny Bill Williams comes back in to partner Conrad Smith in midfield, while Dan Carter is named at out-half alongside Aaron Smith.
After Liam Messam started at blindside against South Africa two weekends ago, Jerome Kaino is back in the six shirt, while Luke Romano comes into the team in the second row.
Nepo Laulala and Sam Cane have been introduced to the bench for what is the first of two Bledisloe Cup clashes.
New Zealand (v Australia):
15. Ben Smith
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
13. Conrad Smith
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Julian Savea
10. Dan Carter
9. Aaron Smith
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Luke Romano
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (captain)
8. Kieran Read
Replacements:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Ben Franks
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Sam Whitelock
20. Sam Cane
21. TJ Perenara
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Malakai Fekitoa
I love Balotelli
He logs onto Twitter
Posts 3 words
Logs off
Causes massive chaos
Doesn’t give a f*ck
The man keeps on giving, he’s got a weird charm about him. Pity about the usual racist shit. He’s right though, if he was white and saying or doing the same things he wouldn’t be subject to the same abuse
Dirt bags! Racism in this day and age should be punished with a hefty prison stint! Some ppl just take footy far too serious
United fans are such a great bunch of lads
I do not agree with the racist abuse he got. It is a total disgrace. I do not agree with his comment on twitter. He should be more professional. He is a a rival football player and really should not post a comment like that.
If I was a utd fan I would be disgusted by the racist comments, Mario may have tweeted but no need for the backlash….
Mario Balotelli is in no position to laugh at United. West Ham 3-1 Liverpool.
This is your Palace….
I’m a Man U fan and this is beyond shameful. However Every club has nasty idiots like these in their fan base, the problem is they are also the loudest… It’s disgusting what was said to Mario and they should be dealt with by the law and also if they are ManU fans then ManU should put out an apology also. Aside to that, famous people need to be more careful when using twitter also… In fact I’ve always said sports people should not even be on twitter, a lot of sports people are too dumb and twitter is too open and unregulated for disaster not to strike!!
The @craigsainsbury account isn’t even an actual person, it’s a morbid parody of those ‘ITK’ accounts and is paired with @agentdidier who’s similar – both can be very shockingly racist it’s just that only now it’s been give wide scale attention
Just thought it’d be good to get some info that reporters probably wouldn’t know
I would guess most of these guys are not in England and also well hidden. That’s why they are ‘brave’ enough to make the comments. Not real fans.
Do the offending tweeters feel the same way about the bl$&k ni$&er c$
Where is the rest of my comment?
Looks bad for you there Graham. Probably should post the rest there mate
Keyboard warrior here. Your a repulsive human being!
Dylan, that was the first line, my comment was what these guys on twitter said, I had to use the same language to make my point, is that the people who do this quickly forget the same race/ethnicity/creed play on the teams they support….. I do not know what happened to the rest of the comment. I have asked for it to remove because clearly I look like a total pr$&k. I apologize strongly to anyone offended. I deserve anything that comes my way, but if the rest of the comment was there you would see what I was getting at.
Eoin, I apologize….
I didn’t think you were a racist anyway mate. My comments have been removed for using the word p*ss so if yours isn’t then the moderation here is f*cked.
The score. Can Graham’s original comment be removed? It was clearly a mistake.
I did report my own comment, clearly it looks terrible. If ever there was a bad time for comment to get messed up, that was it! Thanks anyways. I feel terrible the way it turned out, and the fact they have left it hanging there…… It does not even make sense as it is.
Thanks Adrian.
We forgive you, Graham.
Good man Sean.
The slate is wiped clean Graham. Regular posters will know ur an honourable guy.
Pretty cr**** of the journal to leave it up. Making Graham.look bad. Do the right thing journal and delete it
I owe you guys a beer! Next time I am back in Ireland, will be in the Ball Alley in Lucan! You guys are real footie fans! Ynwa!!
Justice for Graham Kavanagh, true Arsenal legend if ever there was one to behold
The mighty Alan Sunderland! Best Sunderland ever!
I’d like an apology too please!
You should apologise for being a ‘pool fan first!
Can you leave my pint behind the bar in Courtneys. I’m to lazy to walk to the Ball Alley.
Apologies to you too Michael. I apologise for being a Pool fan, but christ, cannot be worse than being a Man U fan right now
Sure Brian…. Will pass by on the way to the chipper down by Kennys.
No one should ever apologise for being a pool fan or a man u fan, but just like religion it shouldn’t be shoved in people’s faces nor should ” banter ” result in racist remarks.