NEWS ROUND-UP:ALL BLACKS fullback Mils Muliaina has been dropped by coach Graham Henry for the opening World Cup match against Tonga on Friday. The 31-year-old's selection had been the chief talking point in the All Blacks team in the build-up, with Hawkes Bay fullback Israel Dagg assuming the starting role.
“He (Muliaina) has been one of the top fullbacks in the world for some time, having a bit of a flat patch at the moment but knowing Mils he will respond to that,” said Henry.
James O’Connor was named on the bench for Australia’s Pool C opener against Italy on Sunday after coach Robbie Deans stuck with a winning team and opted against recalling the winger following his one-game suspension for indiscipline.
Deans retained the starting line-up that beat New Zealand to win the Tri-Nations title last month but made three changes to the replacements.
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan made one change to his starting line-up for their Pool B opening match against England, recalling outside centre Gonzalo Tiesi in place of Marcelo Bosch.
ARGENTINA:M Rodriguez; G Camacho, G Tiesi, S Fernandez, H Agulla; F Contepomi (capt), N Vergallo; R Roncero, M Ledesma, J Figallo, M Carizza, P Albacete, J Farias Cabello, J M Leguizamon, J Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: A Creevy, M Scelzo, M Galarza, A Campos, A Lalanne, M Bosch, J Imhoff.
AUSTRALIA:K Beale; A Ashley-Cooper, A Fainga'a, P McCabe, D Ioane; Q Cooper, W Genia; S Kepu, S Moore, B Alexander, D Vickerman, J Horwill (capt), R Elsom, D Pocock, Radike Samo. Replacements: T Polota-Nau, J Slipper, R Simmons, B McCalman, S Higginbotham, L Burgess, J OConnor.
NEW ZEALAND:I Dagg; R Kahui, M Nonu, S Williams, I Toeava; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, A Hore, O Franks, B Thorn, A Williams, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), V Vito. Replacements: C Flynn, B Franks, A Boric, S Whitelock, P Weepu, C Slade, C Jane.
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