The Springboks and the Wallabies have named their teams for this weekends Tri-Nations match in Brisbane. We will start with the Boks: They have made one change to their starting XV which sees winger Odwa Ndungane coming in for the injured JP Pietersen. I would have thought that PdV would have drafted Frans Steyn onto the wing as he has played there before but I guess this just goes to show that PdV does not want to integrate Frans Steyn into the starting lineup as he is off to play in Europe.
It will be very interesting to see how Ndugane does especially under the high ball as I have no confidence in him in that aspect of the game. And especially now that the Wallabies have another great kicking option back in the side with Barnes.
The other changes for the Boks is on the bench as Danie Rossouw retrurns to the side as a replacement for lock Andries Bekker, who has been rule out for a month with a shoulder injury.
The Springboks Team in full is: 15 Ruan Pienaar, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Frans Steyn.
As for the Wallabies they have rung the changes and the biggest one for me is that scrumhlaf Will Genia FINALLY gets to start for the Wallabies. It has taken Robbie Deans long enough to realise that Genia is a better scrummy than Luke Burgess.
Center Berrick Barnes returns to the lineup after missing last weekends game due to injury. His return will bring another kicking option for Australia and a more solid looking center pairing with Adam Ashley-Cooper. Drew Mitchell comes in on the wing for the Wallabies too.
In the forward pack, Zimbabwean born flanker, David Pocock will start which sees captain George Smith moving to number8. In the front row, Tatafu Polota-Nau takes over from Stephen Moore at hooker.
I am impressed with this Wallaby team especially the changes in the backline and seeing Pocock starting with George Smith. Those two should really give Brussow a good test.
The Wallaby team in full is: 5 James O’Connor 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 George Smith (c), 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Quade Cooper, 22 Peter Hynes.
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25 comments
Fraz says:
Sep 1, 2009
20+ points this week. Finish and klaar….
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 1, 2009
thank God deans dropped Brown and Burguess.
Manny says:
Sep 1, 2009
I wasn’t going to watch the game but the changes are all positive and make for a much better team. Pocock starting in place of Brown, Genia, the return of Barnes; all looks very good.
Whats also looking good is Ndungane on the wing (from a Wallaby perspective).
The W by 2! Finish and klaar…..mate
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 1, 2009
true ! hopefully Pocock will be an upgrade to Brown. Smith play making abilities can be used at the base of the scrum and genia or anybody is an upgrade to burguess.
however, the boks will probably win and deans will be fired and will return to Nzl to take over the all blacks.
Ron says:
Sep 1, 2009
Now that is a brilliant idea The Ultimate All Black. Deans needs to come back to NZ. Maybe it is all a conspiracy…Deans is screwing up the Wallabies so that he can be fired and at the same time the All Blacks players are playing crap so that they can get Henry fired and get Deans to coach them!!
Guru says:
Sep 1, 2009
It will be interesting to see how Tatafu Polota Nau’s presence will affect Robinson’s domination of John Smit. Mark Chilsholm and James Horwill will not be able to handle the bok lineouts and we may just see another disasterous outing for the Aus lineouts. The Aus loosies are much better equiped and I would not be suprised if Schalk is called on much earlier, especially if Juan is not 100% recovered. I have never really understood what Deans sees in Brown and would have liked to see SMith and Pocock on the park from the very 1st test. And as Ron has stated, finally, Genia gets the nod. Expect to see quicker service to Giteau. The Aus line picks itself and I will admit that James O conor has not convinced me of his defensive abilities as yet so I will be watching him closely.
On the bok front, Odwa may not be the best winger ever produced in the Republic but he comes into a very experienced side and he will easily slot in. Given the calibre of players around him, I would not be surprised if he gets a try or 2. Deans has picked a much better outfit and given that the test is in Brisbane, it should be a tight affair in the first 60min but evetually, the Bok firepower will close the game off in the last 20min. Should be a closer contest than last week but the scoreline will be wider……..THE IRONY!!!!!!!
Mozie says:
Sep 1, 2009
manny manny manny….. when u saw ruan at 15 last week u saw hope. this week u see ndungane at 14 and u see light. good luck mate
Manny says:
Sep 1, 2009
I will always walk on with hope in my heart Mozie!
I hadn’t noticed that Polota is starting at 2. That may be a problem for the W because his lineout throwing aint the greatest and combined with Sharpes absence it means that Guru raises a very valid point about how disastrous the Wallaby line out may turn out.
Even if the W lose firing Deans will be a mistake. I have seen this Wallaby team play very well in patches, they just need to turn up for a full 80 minutes and this will happen before the RWC2011, guaranteed!
Mozie says:
Sep 1, 2009
I think they are going to win 2011. but my heart says bokke. a lot can happen in two years.
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 1, 2009
the wallabies are poised for a big 2011. They will probably learn from this year’s mistakes. But what are the wallabies going to do about the scrum and lineout. Significant strides have been made but can they match up against the Boks and Northern Hemisphere teams. Gone are the days when you can win a game with average forwards.
A mate of mine who supports the wallabies made a good point, Deans can survive this year’s disaster as coaching options are limited. I can’t honestly think who can coach the wallabies next. The coach I like in Aus, Pat Howard doesn’t have not a prime time job as far I know. The powers that be may give him a pass due to some key injuries and lack of experience. Thus to my disappointment the All Blacks may have to stick to Henry.
Manny, what ever happened to Dan Vickerman? That boy could play.
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 1, 2009
manny, what you think of John Mitchell handing out jerseys to the springboks? Is he a traitor? According to Habana, he gave them some stern words?
Guru says:
Sep 1, 2009
Wallabies are in the same position as the boks found themselves in 2006. All the potential(if not more), a motivated coach but something just not happening to convert close encounters into victories. With less Political pressure than Jake White in 2005, I would expect Deans and Co to bpunce back in 2010 with a bang.
Ulimate All Black, the Australian scrum is very solid mate. They are certainly up there with the very best. They also have decent locks in Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, McManimen, Mumm and Chisolm. They are all good locks, just not good enough against Matfield.
If anything, i’d say the Aus forwards will be better settled than the All Blacks in a few seasons to come. They just need self confidence, Bit Match Temperament and consistent selection. But on the whole, Manny and all Aus supporters must feel very optimistic about the 2011 World Cup.
Mozie says:
Sep 1, 2009
As for this week, 7 changes including 2 positional changes. Remember Ellis Park? This will be interesting…. Guru I was really hoping to see Quade Cooper at 10 with Giteau dropping to 12. I hear he is injured though but I don’t think they were going to play him anyway.
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 2, 2009
Guru, you have kinda proved my point. They are decent locks and props but are they competitive enough to compete against the bok ‘greats’ and northern hemisphere scrumaging machine. England isn’t a good team but watch them unleash Andrew Sheridan on the Wallabies and then all hell breaks loose. Sheridan isn’t that good as proven during the BIL tour of the SA.
Maybe your right that the wallaby forwards will have a better look than the all blacks. The all black in my opinion are embarking on finding new talent in many areas and lock is an obvious need. At least we found Isaac Ross, although he isn’t rated by many.
Wallabies have huge upside going into 2010 but who will be their John Smit. Mortlock should be on his last surgery. I dont think George Smith being that sort of leader?
Guru says:
Sep 2, 2009
Most certainly, I agree with you that the Aus forwards are decent but curently not at the required level as yet. But in 2 years’ time they might just be the premier forward pack, only if Deans decides on his preffered combinations and consistently selects them as such.
As for the Wallaby leader, George Smith has the respect and following of his peers. He has been there done that. IF not him, maybe Nathan Sharpe. Alternatively, Matt Giteua would not be a bad choice, given he is guaranteed of selection.
Fraz says:
Sep 2, 2009
Gotta love the Aussie media…. IGNORANT FOOLS!!
http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/TriNations/355/3f886188c5154ad08ad7a8752dcca69e/02-09-2009-01-24/So_who_is_the_captain,_mate
To not know the most capped CAptain o all time come now….okes should get fired….
Ron says:
Sep 2, 2009
LOL! That was a good one Fraz!
I liked the part at the end “On Wednesday the Springboks were given the day off. Some played golf, others visited the Sunshine Coast for a little eye candy, while some just lazed around Brisbane.”
I wonder which players went to look for eye candy?? Bismark had to have been leading that trip!!!!!
Fraz says:
Sep 2, 2009
Ha ha ha Straight….i reckon bismark, brussow and frans steyn were there strutting their stuff man!!
Guru says:
Sep 2, 2009
Sounds like the Aussies are just looking for excuses. I am sure in 1999 the whole country knew what Rugby Union is all about……….sour grapes if you ask me.
Manny says:
Sep 2, 2009
I reckon Beast, Chilliboy and Ndungane were out chasing the eye candy and using the legend of mandingo as their bait!
Guru says:
Sep 2, 2009
LOL, Manny…that explains why you have been so eager to go to Australia……………………
Kambas says:
Sep 3, 2009
lol, manny lol.
Manny says:
Sep 3, 2009
We have lost focus here people.
I have a gut feeling that Wallabies are sneaking it this weekend and that this will be the start of the rejuvenation of Australian rugby.
Genia and the return of Barnes should make a difference.
Go W!!!!!!!!!!
Mozie says:
Sep 3, 2009
I think we might see a better ausie effort manny…..
but, only but, did the boks play to their potential or were they just beginning to warm up? it will be nice if the game lasts 80 minutes for a change.
Manny says:
Sep 4, 2009
dont worry Mozie, the Bok fans will be glued to their sets for 80mins cos they won’t believe they are about to lose!