News

Classic All Blacks line-up to face Leicester

Friday 23rd May 2008

Classic All Blacks full-back Carlos Spencer

Daryl Gibson, Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer and Carl Hayman have been named in the Classic All Blacks starting line-up to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Sunday.

The visitors' XV boasts nearly 250 caps for New Zealand, with scrum-half Marshall leading the way with 81 Test appearances.

He will join new Leinster signing Isa Nacewa at half-back, with former Tigers favourite Gibson lining up at centre in a back-line which also features his Glasgow colleague Lome Fa'atau, the top try-scorer in the 2006 Super 14 season. Northampton Saints' Spencer is at full-back.

The forwards are led by Hayman and also include Blues captain Troy Flavell and Ospreys number eight Filo Tia Tia who has played against Tigers in two EDF Energy Cup Finals at Twickenham.

"If you talk to any of the players, the chance to pull on a black jersey with a silver fern on it means a lot to them," said Classic All Blacks team manager Sean Fitzgerald, the man who captained New Zealand on more than 50 occasions.

"It's a lot of fun but there is also a responsibility on the guys to front up and deliver a good result."

Classic All Blacks: 15 Carlos Spencer, 14 Lome Faatau, 13 Scott McLeod, 12 Daryl Gibson, 11 Roger Randle, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Filo Tia Tia, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Angus McDonald, 5 Simon Maling, 4 Troy Flavell, 3 Joe McDonnell, 2 Slade McFarland, 1 Carl Hayman
Replacements: 16 Sam Anderson-Heather, 17 Deacon Manu, 18 Mark Sorenson, 19 Paul Miller, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Keith Lowen, 22 Ben Bersma

Date: Sunday, May 26
Venue: Welford Road, Leicester
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)