ALL BLACK CAPTAIN Richie McCaw’s side mission of setting a record of 23 Rugby World Cup appearances is over after the openside was omitted from the squad to face Tonga on Friday (8pm).
PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The 34-year-old currently sits on 19 World Cup appearances and could have overtaken England’s Jason Leonard’s mark of 22 if he and New Zealand played right through to the final.
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The openside is suffering from a sore hip and will be replaced by Sam Cane in the starting line-up and the best personal tally he can home for is a record-equalling 22 if he returns for the quarter-final, possible semi-final and either third-place or final match beyond that.
In McCaw’s absence, Kieran Read takes up captaincy duties. Centre Ma’a Nonu will make his 100th Test appearance in Newcastle and extends his record partnership with Conrad Smith to 59.
McCaw in his first World Cup, trying to take down Wendell Sailor. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett and World Rugby player of the year Brodie Retallick are among the replacements ready to spring from the bench if Nonu, Dan Carter or Luke Romano are beginning to flag.
New Zealand (v Tonga)
15. Ben Smith
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Waisake Naholo
10. Daniel Carter
9. Aaron Smith
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read (captain)
Replacements
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Franks
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Liam Messam
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Sonny Bill Williams
Hip knock means McCaw can only pull level in RWC record appearance chase
ALL BLACK CAPTAIN Richie McCaw’s side mission of setting a record of 23 Rugby World Cup appearances is over after the openside was omitted from the squad to face Tonga on Friday (8pm).
The 34-year-old currently sits on 19 World Cup appearances and could have overtaken England’s Jason Leonard’s mark of 22 if he and New Zealand played right through to the final.
The openside is suffering from a sore hip and will be replaced by Sam Cane in the starting line-up and the best personal tally he can home for is a record-equalling 22 if he returns for the quarter-final, possible semi-final and either third-place or final match beyond that.
In McCaw’s absence, Kieran Read takes up captaincy duties. Centre Ma’a Nonu will make his 100th Test appearance in Newcastle and extends his record partnership with Conrad Smith to 59.
Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett and World Rugby player of the year Brodie Retallick are among the replacements ready to spring from the bench if Nonu, Dan Carter or Luke Romano are beginning to flag.
New Zealand (v Tonga)
15. Ben Smith
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Waisake Naholo
10. Daniel Carter
9. Aaron Smith
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read (captain)
Replacements
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Franks
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Liam Messam
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Sonny Bill Williams
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19 and counting All Blacks new zelaand Richie McCaw Rugby World Cup rwc 15 Team news Tonga