Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Australia)
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2008
Kickoff: 05:05 US Central

Australia
First XV: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Stirling Mortlock, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sam Cordingley, 1 Benn Robinson, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Al Baxter, 4 James Horwill, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 6 Rocky Elsom, 7 George Smith, 8 Wycliff Palu.
Reserves: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Richard Brown, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand
First XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Andrew Hore, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Williams, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw, 8 Rodney So’oialo.
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa/ Neemia Tialata, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town (South Africa)
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2008
Kickoff: 08:00 US Central

South Africa
First XV: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers, Adrian Jacobs, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, CJ Van de Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Brian Mujati, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Frans Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.

New Zealand
First XV: Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland (New Zealand)
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008
Kickoff: 02:35 US Central

New Zealand
First XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter; 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Andrew Hore, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Williams, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 9 Jimmy Cowan.
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealumu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Anthony Tuitavake.

Australia
First XV:15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (capt), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau; 1 Benn Robinson, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Al Baxter, 4 James Horwill, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 6 Phil Waugh, 7 George Smith, 8 Wycliff Palu, 9 Luke Burgess.
Reserves: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Hugh McMeniman, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney (Australia)
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Kickoff: 05:05 US Central

Australia
First XV: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson
Reserves: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Daniel Vickerman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Timana Tahu, 22 Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand
First XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Rodney So’oialo, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Conrad Smith.

Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin (New Zealand)
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2008
Kickoff: 02:35 US Central

New Zealand
First XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rodney So’oialo, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Kevin O’Neill, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.

South Africa
First XV: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16 Schalk Britz, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Conrad Jantjes.

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington (New Zealand)
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2008
Kickoff: 02:35 US Central

New Zealand
First XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rodney So’oialo, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.

South Africa
First XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Ricky Januarie, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp, 2 John Smit, 3 CJ van der Linde, 4 Bakkies Botha, 5 Victor Matfield, 6 Schalk Burger, 7 Juan Smith, 8 Joe van Niekerk.
Reserves: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Percy Montgomery.

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch (New Zealand)
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008
Kickoff: 02:35 US Central

New Zealand
First XV: 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders), 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Rudi Wulf (Blues), 10 Daniel Carter (Crusaders), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 1 Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), 2 Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 5 Ali Williams (Crusaders), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 8 Rodney So’oialo (Hurricanes).
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 17 Tony Woodcock (Blues), 18 Anthony Boric (Blues), 19 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 20 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 21 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 22 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs).

England
First XV: 15 Mathew Tait (Newcastle), 14 Topsy Ojo (London Irish), 13 Mike Tindall (Gloucester), 12 Jamie Noon (Newcastle), 11 Tom Varndell (Leicester), 10 Toby Flood (Newcastle), 9 Danny Care (Harlequins), 1 Tim Payne (Wasps), 2 Lee Mears (Bath), 3 Matt Stevens (Bath), 4 Tom Palmer (Wasps), 5 Steve Borthwick (Bath), 6 James Haskell (Wasps), 7 Tom Rees (Wasps), 8 Luke Narraway (Gloucester).
Reserves: 16 Jason Hobson (Bristol), 17 David Paice (London Irish), 18 Ben Kay (Leicester), 19 Joe Worsley (Wasps), 20 Peter Richards (London Irish), 21 Olly Barkley (Bath), 22 David Strettle (Harlequins).

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland (New Zealand)
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008
Kickoff: 02:35 US Central

New Zealand
First XV: 15 M Muliaina (Chiefs), 14 A Tuitavake (Blues), 13 C Smith (Hurricanes), 12 M Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 S Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 D Carter (Crusaders), 9 A Ellis (Crusaders), 1 N Tialata (Hurricanes), 2 A Hore (Hurricanes), 3 G Somerville (Crusaders), 4 B Thorn (Crusaders), 5 A Williams (Crusaders), 6 R So’oialo (Hurricanes), 7 R McCaw (Crusaders), 8 J Kaino (Blues).
Reserves: 16 K Mealamu (Blues), 17 J Schwalger (Hurricanes), 18 A Boric (Blues), 19 S Lauaki (Chiefs), 20 J Cowan (Highlanders), 21 S Donald (Chiefs), 22 L MacDonald (Crusaders).

England
First XV: 15 M Brown (Harlequins), 14 T Ojo (London Irish), 13 M Tindall (Gloucester), 12 O Barkley (Bath), 11 D Strettle (Harlequins), 10 C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), 9 R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), 1 A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), 2 L Mears (Bath), 3 M Stevens (Bath), 4 T Palmer (Wasps), 5 S Borthwick (Bath), 6 J Haskell (Wasps), 7 T Rees (Wasps), 8 L Narraway (Gloucester).
Reserves: 16 D Paice (London Irish), 17 T Payne (Wasps), 18 B Kay (Leicester), 19 J Worsley (Wasps), 20 D Care (Harlequins), 21 J Noon (Newcastle), 22 M Tait (Newcastle).

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington (New Zealand)
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2008
Kickoff: 02:35 US Central

New Zealand
First XV: Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald, Adam Thomson.

Ireland
First XV: Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Ronan O’Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan.
Reserves: Rory Best, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Shane Jennings, Peter Stringer, Paddy Wallace, Girvan Dempsey.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named the All Blacks squad for summer tests against Ireland and England.

John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Carter, Stephen Donald, Andrew Ellis, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Richie McCaw, Leon MacDonald, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Greg Somerville, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Tuitavake, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.

According to the New Zealand Herald, about 60 of New Zealand’s elite professional rugby players — including 10 World Cup All Blacks — will be vulnerable to lucrative overseas offers this year.

The flow of players to the cash-flush teams in the Northern Hemisphere and Japan has been taking place for a number of years, but now it seems that big name players are making the move in the prime of their careers (e.g., Luke McAllister). Two players mentioned in the article that fall into this category are Nick Evans and — hold onto your hat — Daniel Carter!

Click here to read the full story on nzherald.co.nz.

Hurricanes vs. Chiefs
On paper, the Hurricanes will have the advantage in Westpac Stadium Friday night when they meet the injury riddled Chiefs. The Chiefs movement (out of necessity) of Mils Muliaina to outside center and Sitiveni Sivivatu to fullback should be interesting. On the Hurricanes side, Jason Eaton was a force in Round 1 but tailed off last week. Look for him to have a huge game at home this week.

Hurricanes
First XV: 1. John Schwalger, 2. Andrew Hore, 3. Neemia Tialata, 4. Craig Clarke, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Jerry Collins, 7. Chris Masoe, 8. Rodney So’oialo, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 11. Hosea Gear, 12. Tane Tu’ipulotu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Ma’a Nonu,
and 15. Cory Jane.
Reserves: 16. Hikawera Elliot, 17. Tim Fairbrother, 18. Jeremy Thrush, 19. Scott Waldrom, 20. Alby Mathewson, 21. Willie Ripia, and 22. Shannon Paku.

Chiefs
First XV: 1. Simms Davison, 2. Tom Willis, 3. Ben Castle, 4. Jono Gibbes, 5. Kevin O’Neill, 6. Liam Messam, 7. Tanerau Latimer, 8. Sione Lauaki, 9. David Bason, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Viliame Waqaseduadua, 12. Dwayne Sweeney, 13. Mils Muliaina, 14. Lelia Masaga, and 15. Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Ben May, 18. Toby Lynn, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. Matt France, 21. Callum Bruce, 22. Sosene Anesi.

Blues:
Ben Atiga, George Pisi, David Smith, Rudi Wulf, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley, Anthony Tuitavake, Jamie Helleur, Isaia Toeava, Isa Nacewa, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Taniela Moa, Nick Williams, Jerome Kaino, Onosa’i Tololima Auva’a, Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bryn Evans, Kurtis Haiu, Anthony Boric, Troy Flavell, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Bronson Murray, John Afoa, Nick White, Tony Woodcock.

Chiefs:
Mils Muliana, Vili Waqaseduadua, Sosene Anesi, Leila Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Tasesa Lavea, Stephen Donald, Jamie Nutbrown, Brendon Leonard, Fafili Levave, Sione Lauaki, Tom Harding, Tanerau Latimer, Hayden Hopgood, Liam Messam, Toby Lynn, Kristian Ormsby, Kevin O’Neill, Jono Gibbes, Aled de Malmanche, Tom Willis, Ben May, Ben Castle, Craig West, Simms Davison.

Crusaders:
Leon Macdonald, Scott Hamilton, Kade Poki, Sean Maitland, Caleb Ralph, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Hamish Gard, Stephen Brett, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis Kahn Fotuali’i, Nasi Manu, Mose Tuiali’i, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Reuben Thorne, Brad Thorn, Michael Paterson, Ross Filipo, Ali Williams, Ti’i Paulo, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Campbell Johnstone, Greg Somerville, Wyatt Crockett.

Highlanders:
James Wilson, Paul Williams, Lucky Mulipola, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Brett Mather, Johnny Leota, Niva Ta’auso, Aaron Bancroft, Mike Delany, Daniel Bowden, Toby Morland, Jimmy Cowan, Ezra Taylor, Stephen Setephano, Tim Boys, Alando Soaki, Adam Thompson, Craig Newby, Hoani MacDonald, Isaac Ross, Hayden Triggs, Tom Donnelly, David Hall, Jason Macdonald, Clint Newland, Chris King, Keith Cameron, Jamie Mackintosh.

Hurricanes:
Cory Jane, Shannon Paku, Zac Guildford, Hosea Gear, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tane Tu’ipulotu, Tamati Ellison, Willie Ripia, Jimmy Gopperth, Alby Matthewson, Piri Weepu, Rodney So’oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Thomas Waldrom, Scott Waldrom, Michael Johnson, Bernie Upton, Jeremy Thrush, Craig Clarke, Jason Eaton, Hika Elliott, Andrew Hore, Tim Fairbrother, Neemia Tialata, John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison.

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