Thursday Round-Up

Hansen shows hand: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made no less than thirteen changes to his side to take on Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend. Starting upfront, and Blues hooker James Parsons is handed a debut in the no.2 jersey, capping a remarkable year for the man from Auckland, as he packs down alongside Joe Moody and Charlie Faumuina. In the engine room, Dominic Bird packs down alongside Luke Romano, while Richie McCaw wears the 6 jersey for the first time in his international career in order to accommodate Sam Cane at open side and Victor Vito at no.8. Elsewhere, TJ Perenara partners the returning Dan Carter at halfback, while both Ryan Crotty and Malakao Fekitoa start in midfield in the absence of Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nony and replacement this week, Sonny Bill Williams. In a surprise move, flyhalf Colin Slade lines up on the right wing, with Charles Piutau and Ben Smith making up the remainder of the XV. 

Samoa strike off: After weeks of negotiation and much speculation across the rugby world, the International Rugby Board have confirmed that Samoa will play all of their scheduled fixtures during the November international period. With reports abound that the Samoan squad were ready to boycott their clash with England on November 22nd, due to concerns with the Samoan Rugby Union, the IRB have now confirmed that will not be the case, and the match will go ahead as originally planned. In the last few days of October, the Samoan side outlined their concerns regarding the administration section of their Union and voiced them to the IRB. Since then, multiple rounds of talks have ensued between the respective parties and a conclusion has been reached which satisfies both sides of the argument.

Ryan Sheady