12 Nov 2008

Henry picks top side to take on Ireland

6:02 am on 12 November 2008

The All Black coach Graham Henry has selected his top side to take on Ireland at Croke Park on Sunday morning.

Keven Mealamu and Ali Williams will play their third straight game on tour.

The team is Woodcock, Mealamu, Tialata, Thorn, Williams, Kaino, McCaw, So'oialo, Cowan, Carter, Sivivatu, Nonu, Smith, Rokococko and Muliaina.

The reserves are Flynn, Afoa, Boric, Read, Weepu, Donald and Toeava.

Henry says they're expecting a torrid encoujnter from an Irish side which is playing with real adventure.

He says the Irish showed passion and physicaility when they played them in New Zealand earlier in the year and they're expecting another tough Test match this time.

Joe Rokocoko will play his 50th test, while Richie McCaw will captain the All Blacks for the 31st time in a Test, which takes him to second on the All Blacks Test captains list behind Sean Fitzpatrick, who has 51.