Miliaina to Skipper

Fullback Mils Muliaina will captain the All Blacks home tests against France and Italy in June, taking over from an injured Richie McCaw. “Mils is in the leaders group in the All Blacks,” New Zealand coach Graham Henry said. “He has done a fantastic job as captain of the Chiefs in the Super 14 and has a great deal of respect … amongst his peers.” The All Blacks’ first test of 2009 is against France in Dunedin on June 13. They play the French again a week later in Wellington before a one-off test against Italy in Christchurch on June 27. “France will again be a difficult challenge for the All Blacks,” Henry said. “They have picked their strongest squad available and history shows they are often successful against the All Blacks.”