The team sheets for this weekend are up gents and ladies.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane.
Springbok team: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Morne Steyn, Wynand Olivier.
Looking at these team sheets, I’m thinking both set of coaches have opted for a change in tactics, namely I expect to see a game with a bit more attacking rugby and not the kick and chase game we have come to expect from international rugby.
On the All Blacks team sheet, the promotion of Joe Rokocoko, whose poor form during the S14 begs the question of why he has started so many games this season, points to a bit more ball in hand rugby from the New zealand backline. Expect some great rugby from Ma’a Nonu this week as I’m not too convinced with the Bock midfield pairing.
Ruan Pienaar’s selection along with Jaque Fourie at outside centre would also suggest that the boks might try to be a bit more creative this time round.
Another high point for the boks is the return of Bakkies to the forwards, I think this adds a bit more physicality to their pack. Not too sure about Starting brussouw at openside in this game, against a resurgent Richie McCaw, my thinking is that the role of the fetcher in the tri nations changes significantly especially against new zealand when your cover defence becomes more important than attacking the rucks. He will play well against the likes of george smith but in this game I think Danie russouw might have been a better start.
But it looks like a cracker and smart money is on the Boks to win 26-21.
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5 comments
Ron says:
Jul 23, 2009
From an All Black perspective, I am glad to see Joey back on the wing. He may not have been in the greatest form this year but he is the type of player who can unlock a game with a flash of brilliance. The other change sees Leonard in for Cowan at 9. Not a bad change at all considering the physicality of the Boks and with Weepu on the bench the AB’s look solid at 9 compared to the Boks who still have Ricky Januarie on the bench!!
As for the Boks, the de Villiers and Fourie pairing is what many Bok fans have been calling for for a long time. They finally get their wish now. As Kambas has pointed out, I do not think this combo will light it up on Saturday. On paper they look great but how much rugby have these two played together…not a lot in a while now.
I can not wait to see the battle between Richie and Brussow, that is going to be great entertainment.
The smart money is on the Boks as they do not have to worry about the travelling and altitude and they have had some time off compared to the AB’s who have just traveled half way across the world after a bruising game against the Wallabies. But I have faith in my All Blacks, if they manage to keep the game close and not allow the Boks to run away with it then its on.
The boots of Ruan and Donald could just decide the outcome of this game. Whoever has their kicking boots on will lead their team to victory as I do not see many tries in this one.
Manny says:
Jul 23, 2009
I think we will get to see how good Brussow really is against the benchmark of open side flankers. As Ron said that should be an interesting battle. My money is on Richie to show Brussow a thing or two.
I am still not convinced with Ruan at 10 and after Donald survived against Giteau I think the AB’s pivot may outplay Ruan. Expect to see Morne on in an attempt to repeat his Lion’s antics.
I agree with Ron and Kambas that the Bok midfield will not live up to the hype, especially after seeing BOD and Roberts consitently outshine DeVilliers.
Given the hard SA ground it does make sense for the game to be more open so Kambas’ prediction of the type of game we may see makes perfect sense. And this may be why Rokocoko was picked. The man is a proven finisher and in an open game he will thrive. Let’s not forget that the man has nine tries against the Boks and is looking to equal and even surpass Cullen’s tally of 10 this weekend.
Overall however the back to back matches, long haul flight and change in altitude may prove to be the deciding factor.
Guru says:
Jul 23, 2009
These are the 2 best sides available to both coaches so noone will have a selection excuse for losing this game. One area I think people have neglected is the importance of the bench and here, the All Blacks are looking too thin. This is where i think the boks will get the nod becasue it looks like Cory Jane is covering wing and full back while Luke is covereing centre and flyhalf. Both teams will need to bring on atleast 2 or 3 substitutee becasue this game will very fast and furious. I have more faith in the Bok centre pairing than the All Black 9-10 combination. I think Fourie Du Preez will prove to be the deciding factor as he is light years ahead of Leonard. The bok number 9′s tactical kicking should do the trick on Saturday. Boks to have the edge in a very fast and tiring encounter.
Ron says:
Jul 23, 2009
I disagree with you Guru about the benches, the AB’s is miles ahead of the Boks. For starters Ricky Januarie is on the Bok bench, that in itself is a negative for the Boks. There is no way you can even start to compare him with the brilliance of Weepu. Olivier is a born and bread 12, i have never seen him play any other position so if he comes on and it is not in the 12 jumper then it could be late as for Morne well he is just a straight number 10. Jane is more versatile than Olivier and so to McAlister. When legs are getting tired in the 60th minute and you need a man to break the advantage line, I would have McAlister any day over Olivier.
In the forwards, we saw what Read did when he came on against the Wallabies, he was immense. So to Mialamu, he makes more of an impact off the bench than Chiliboy. As for Owen Franks, big yet again last week and for me should be starting soon for the AB’s.
Fraz says:
Jul 24, 2009
Boks will win. Period.