All Blacks 2009 Season Preview

The Super 14 season is over and New Zealand rugby followers await the the international season. The All Blacks play thirteen test matches this season and face some stiff opposition to come. What’s in store?

vs France (2 tests)

The opening test of the year is against France at Carisbrook, Dunedin on June 13. The visitors come off a average six nations campaign, finishing third behind England and Ireland. Injuries have hit them severly for this tour, Scrumhalf Morgan Parra is out with a injured shoulder, lock and captain Lionel Nallet with bruised ribs and forward Imanol Harinordoquy,also gone with a injured shoulder. It will be a weakened french lineup but you can never underestimate this side as they have shown us in the past. The second test is at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on June 20.

vs Italy

A dissapointing six nations performance and a team hit by injuries will take on the All Blacks at AMI Stadium, Christchurch on June 27. Backrower Josh Sole is out with a injured wrist along with prop Martin Castrogiovanni, fullback Andrea Marcoto and scrumhalf Simon Picone, all out for various reasons. Other fullback Andrea Masi and hooker Carlo Festuccia will stay back in Italy due to a recent earthquake in the Abruzzo region. To be realistic, Italy shouldn’t pose a huge threat to the All Blacks but the match will be a good warmup for the upcoming Tri Nations series.

Tri Nations (vs South Africa, Australia)

This should be a cracker of a series against full strength Springbok and Wallabies lineups. The All Blacks will meet Australia at Eden Park, Auckland on July 18 in the opener which will double up as a Bledisloe cup encounter. A week later, the AB’s meet South Africa at Vodacom Park. With the Bulls victory in the Super 14, this series will add extra excitement for Springbok fans and a touch of confidence. The All Blacks will then meet the Springboks again on August 1 at Kings Park Stadium, then off to Australia for game two of the Bledisloe Cup. The All Blacks final games of the series are against the Springboks at Waikato Stadium,Hamilton and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. What a series this will be, the Wallabies will want to hit back from disappointing form in the Super 14.

End of Year Tour (Wales,Italy,England,France)

The end of year tour always has special meaning with the showing of new talent in the ranks. The Air New Zealand cup will be just finished and the players that perform most definitly get the nod for the tour. The All Blacks will meet Wales at Millenium Stadium on November 7, a week later against Italy in Milan, then England at Twickenham on November 21 and finally France at Marseille on November 28. These teams are always hard to beat on their home soil, especially Wales, England and France. Results will depend on what the year brings and coming up to world cup year, every match has some meaning. Another big year for the All Blacks and international rugby. Bring it on.