The teams have been announced and here they are :-
Springboks – 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Ruan Pienaar.
Frans Steyn has obviously been brought back into the fold to counter the Carter/Donald threat at the back. The rest of the team picks itself and credit must go to the Bok coaching team for their consistency so far. I am concerned about Spies as I have heard that he is not 100% fit. I would have liked to see Kankowski brought onto the bench to counter the possibility of a recurring injury ruling out the Bulls number 8 early in the game.
I believe the bok scrum will be much better as they would have worked on their weaknesses. Another point to consider would be that the Australian forwards bettered the New Zealanders and the Aus scrum has been the most consistent in the competition so far.
The bok side has no excuses as they have the better settled combinations and should be expected to put up a much better fight away from home, compared to their weak performance in Brisbane last week.
New Zealand - 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Rodney So’oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Isaia Toeava 22 Cory Jane.
With the All Blacks coming off a 3 week layoff and also under pressure to deliver against a firing bok side, I expect nothing less than fireworks from the men in black. Looking at the team selected by Graham Henry, positions 1-11 are very much as expected and Henry must be commended for maintaining consistency, even with players that have mis-fired during the tournament like Kaino and Cowan, he has stuck to his guns and shown faith in his players.
At number 12 however, is where I believe Henry has taken a big gamble. Steven Donald is not a bad player at all and against any other team; I would not be as surprised to see him wearing the 12 jumper. However, when facing the world’s best inside centre in the form of Jean de Villiers, Donald might just be exposed. Furthermore, the All Black centre pairing has not played together before and they come up against De Villiers and Fourie who have been improving since being reunited just over a month ago. It is also about time that Rokocoko and Muliaina step up to the plate and it will be interesting to see how they fare. However, with ball in hand, Donald gives the All Blacks an extra kicking option and this should provide Frans Steyn with his sternest test yet at full back. The All Blacks will not have too much pressure on them in this regard and having both Donald and Carter on the field at the same time might just be a preview of Henry’s intended tactics to kick for territory and force the boks into making mistakes. It also provides the All Blacks options because with Carter being mainly a left footed kicker, it gives the All Blacks the left-right axis when kicking for territory.
Watch out for New Zealand’s counter rucking as I am sure Henry would have learnt from the Aussies that there are opportunities around the rucks and mauls when facing the boks. I am not sure though if the ref will allow as much freedom as Bryce Lawrence allowed in Brisbane because if not, then the All Blacks might just find themselves giving away a few penalties.
This game will be extremely physical in the tight five and expect the boks to bring their A game as they look to seal their Tri Nations victory. For key match ups, look at positions 9, 12 and 13 where I believe the bok superiority will be enough to edge this one. I expect Daniel Carter to be as his usual best and I would not be surprised if either Bakkies or Juan is assigned to put in a few late hits on the Maestro just to rattle him a bit.
This should be a tough and exciting encounter given the pre-match banter both in the respective teams’ camps and on this site. Here’s to yet another cracking rugby match that will lead to some interesting debate come Monday morning. Enjoy it.
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30 comments
RuggaFan says:
Sep 9, 2009
Nice artical Guru. All can say at this Stage is Go Bokke!!!!
Ron says:
Sep 9, 2009
I somehow do not expect to see Donald playing at inside center. Donald will be at fly half with Carter at 12. This is just some mind games by Graham Henry. If I am wrong and Donald does indeed play at 12 then i will be very worried. But then again I do not expect the Bok backline to be running this weekend so Donald may not have too much defensive work to do.
The Boks would be silly to try run against the All Blacks this weekend and this is seen in the selection of Frans at the back. The boks are going to stick to what they do best which is the kick and chase game.
I see an All Black win here on Saturday. The last 20 mins of the game could be scrappy as the All Blacks would by then be going all out to get the 4th try for the bonus point. I dont think it is a question of IF the All Blacks will win but more; will they get the 4 tries!!!!
Kambas says:
Sep 9, 2009
honestly i am rooting for the boks but this changing of tactics is killing them and i think they are going to suffer for it. God please don’t let it happen..
am a bit shook up about this one.
Manny says:
Sep 9, 2009
The new midfield combo could undo the Blacks but after last week I think the AB’s have seen how to beat the Boks.
I agree with Ron, AB’s to win, the question is whether or not thet can get four tries.
With Frans playing the Boks want to keep the AB’s in the NZ half which will prevent the four tries from being achieved.
If it were soccer I would say PdV is playing a 4-5-1 and wants to play defensice to ensure the Boks get at least the 1 point they need to win the trophy
Mozie says:
Sep 9, 2009
I disagree manny, I am not too sure about boks been defensive. with exception to ndungane this is the same team that scored 25+ points in all their previous 2 wins in the vs the abs. after last week’s game I don’t expect any non bok fans to pick boks this week, not on this site anyway.
I am a little worried about styne’s mental state. he was unfairly booted out of this team without any capable replacement in terms of playing better than he had played at that stage. I think Pdv acted immaturely and bringing him back at this stage worries me. other than that boks should get back to winning ways.
Fraz says:
Sep 9, 2009
25 – 12. Bring the rain…..
Mozie says:
Sep 9, 2009
I see you still think this game will last only 40 minutes Fraz. Best way for Boks to get the 1 point they need is to score 4 tries Manny.
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 9, 2009
We are going to making rain…
Mozie says:
Sep 9, 2009
lol all black. I hope you know that your tears are going to be the rain
BP says:
Sep 10, 2009
think the ABs should take it but wont get the 4 try bonus point…bok defence has been good all year
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 10, 2009
Im not going to make any predictions as the all blacks have been inconsistent this season.
However, I do have some problems with this article. I think Jimmy Cowen deserves to be in the starting lineup. He is the best 9 in Nzl. Weepu has been found wanting when he played this T3 and so has Brendan Leonard. On top of that he was superb against the W. Does anyone remember his try saving tackle against the W. Cowen has got an exceptional pass and is one of the best defensive 9 in the world. I hate Kaino but this has been his best season for Nzl ever. Du Preez is the best in the world but Cowen is no slouch thus Im not concerned with the matchup.
The midfield is a different story especially defensively. From what I understandind, DC will stand at 12 a lot and that will help as he is very exceptional at that position and has played there with Nonu in the RWC 03. If i were henry would have selected DC at 12 and interchanged him and Donald just to mix and match. Im encouraged by what Barnes and Giteau did to the Boks and I believe that this can happen again for the ABs.
I also disagree that the W have a better scrum than ABs. If I remember correctly, the W scrum struggled a lot against us. I believe we can give smit and beast problems. Woodcock is afterall one of the best looseheads in the world.
If both teams were to fire, i believe that the ABs would win because we would be able to score more trys. I only wish that Henry would throw Joe away. He’s been incompetent and doesn’t have the desire to for the ABs anymore.
By the way, if play at full tilt they beat anyone else at full tilt.
Fraz, hope we make it rain like all those explosions in Transformers 1 and 2. LOL…
BP says:
Sep 10, 2009
the change in the bok team shows they’ll be back to their old game plan of kick and chase…odwa is not a test player in the same class as JP so they’ll be having ot rely more on habana which will be interesting.
not too sure about the carter/donald combo but it may work, it didnt do badly against aussie the last time they played, but its definitely not the most ideal even if they do interchange. carter will be magic anywhere but i dont rate donald that much
i agree with ditching joe, what a waste he’s been this season and i think that masanga or jane would be way better.
not bad to have adam thomason back in, think he’s good and is another lineout option, dont know how he’ll fair against spies tho, he’s a human on animal steroids i tell ya…
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 10, 2009
I think Donald is a useful player but he gets undone by the occasion and tries too hard. Having DC by his side should calm him a little.
Thomo is a superb S14 player but he struggles to make an impact internationally.
His selection is just an indication that the all blacks are struggling to find player at 6/8 position.
Mozie says:
Sep 10, 2009
Good to see your handwriting BP…
I am really cautious guys. AB’s are a different side in New Zealand. I just hope the Boks are fit enough because they are gonna need to play for 80 minutes. Cater and Donald will be fine. It’s up front where I think Boks will capitalize. Scrum time???? The world is in for a surprise. I agree though, the All Black scrum was a lot better than the Wallabies in their last encounter. Both teams need to pitch up though, this is it. The World Cup Final 2009.
BP says:
Sep 10, 2009
Moz my man, good to be back in the mix after some time off mate!
eish, i dont know that the boks will be so dominant at scrum time, maybe a bit in the loose, but the aussies showed the AB’s the way to beat the boks, even if frans steyn is the safety boot at the back. remember the ABs gave the aussie scrum a work over in their last game.
i agree that the ABs have no decent 6/8, both kaino and reid arent in the same mould as mccaw and there seems to be a lack of depth here.
boks should do enough to win the 3n’s though
Mozie says:
Sep 10, 2009
Lol BP. the only way the Boks are winning the 3ns is by defeating the AB’s man. MARK MY WORDS…… lol I am been positive
Manny says:
Sep 10, 2009
Does any body know what the weather will be like in Hamilton on match day?
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 10, 2009
it should be raining and its 13 degrees. Not ideal for running rugby. Knowing the Abs they will run it anyway.
The Ultimate All Black says:
Sep 10, 2009
This game is going to huge for like of Mils. Mils hasn’t performed at all this year and I think he needs to prove he is still the world’s best 15. I hope the All Blacks enough this weekend and deliver an accuarate performance that’s missing all year. Mozie is right this is RCW final.
Manny says:
Sep 11, 2009
I think its a final for the Boks only. Even if Blacks win they can’t confidently say they are the best again.
I am just fearing for Donald in midfield because he may be ruthlessly exposed and the All Blacks look mighty thin on the bench.
BP says:
Sep 11, 2009
mils had a good game against aussie and infact the back 3 dominated the high ball against them, so i’m not too worried if the boks try the usual kicking game…its the forwards that arent getting back to help the back 3 when those kicks are being made that has caused the most problems i feel. sitiveni has got to be the ABs best back to date this year…
Mozie says:
Sep 11, 2009
it might rain and I don’t know if the All Blacks want it that way. I am worried about SA bench as well. Habana may not be 100% fit. I really think we might be found wanting at the backs.
Mozie says:
Sep 11, 2009
Much has been said about the ref more especially by Pdv. the kiwi media is not kind to Nigel Franks neither. Particularly after the Durban match. This might be a rough night for the man in the middle. This rules are way too many and you have got to feel sorry for the man who has to make his decision in a split second.
BP says:
Sep 11, 2009
you know i was watching some of those old school games from the late 90s early 2000′s and man, that was some good rugby, what happened to that? its not the same i feel
Manny says:
Sep 11, 2009
What happened is that the rules of the game were changed and kicking has as a result become such a critical tool to winning games.
In the late 90′s and early 2000′s the rules of the game were such that it made more sense to run the ball, hence the domination of Aus and the Brumbies.
I really think the current rules need a re-think and drop goals should become worth 1 point!
BP says:
Sep 11, 2009
yeah i know the rules have a lot to do with it, but the basics should still be the same hey, i mean, we’re not seeing the likes of cullen/roff/paulse and other lethal running backs actually carving people. giteau is close and james o’conner is coming into his own. but the rest of world rugby backs seem to be lacking that same class as those years. even the english backline in 2003 was of a different caliber despite their kicking game!
i know defence these days has become massive as well, so you can include that ni the changes to the rules. but geez, in less than 10years the games changed more than in the past 100years…
i think professionalism has something to do with it as well, and the amount of games players are expected to partake in these days…its all snowballing out of control and soon the game of rugby will change completely…that’ll be a very sad day indeedy!
Mozie says:
Sep 12, 2009
ok ok ok… the shortest stint at number 1 in the history of irb rankings? ladies you can go play for been second best next week. Fraz, Guru its been great mates. its official you need two things to beat the boks as we have seen last week, the ref and the boks themselves.
Mozie says:
Sep 12, 2009
joe looks pathetic in the green….. who gave him that jersey
Fraz says:
Sep 12, 2009
Ok so i guess i will have a small slice of pie considering the margin of victory was not quite as big as i predicted! But alas the sweet sauce of victory on the side, and the tasty champions spice make the pie taste just a little bit sweet!!! hahahahahaha
Did anyone else notice how much pschology affects the way a team plays???? From the 55th minute, when the ABs were 29-12 down, a switch was flipped where they no longer had anything to lose at all and the fear switch was flipped to off and the floodgates opened!!! And proved how dangerous a team that plays with no fear can be, and impossible to defend against!! and i truelyy believe that is how the aussies played last week, and if the situation were put on any team they will be just as dangerous as the ABs looked at the end of the game! It is very risky style of play but if it comes off, near impossible to defend!!
But enough about the losers….. All hail the world no1, world champion and now truely dominating Tri Nations champions!!!
ALL HAIL GENTS!!! Long live global domination hahahahahaha
Mozie says:
Sep 12, 2009
Indeed Fraz, this is a moment to savor. I will enjoy it for the following reasons. Critics said the Boks must choose which games to win and which ones not to win. This was at the beginning of the international series when the Lions visited our shores. Experts thought there was not enough depth in this great rugby nation to win the S14, Lions Tour and the Tri Nations. Well folks there might still be enough in the tank to conquer the rest of Europe if you stick around.
The Lions came and went, 2-1 was the drubbing which should have really been 3-0 had it not been of the remorse Pdv felt for the hopeless British cats. Then came the Aussie whom I thought deserved to win that last match, despite the little hand from Barney Barnes. Nonetheless they were also rolled over by the Boknation. The Wallabies whom I also feel are the weakest of the 3 victims were thumped 2-1. Last but not least the Mighty All Blacks, well I must say there is nothing mighty about the current Kiwi team. The All Blacks managed to get close to winning in Hamilton, they managed to find some space and look more threatening in the final half hour, but it was more to do with Springbok fatigue more than anything. They look like Hollywood try outs when they perform the great Haka. They were thrashed 3-0.
All that is left for the Australasian brothers is to lick each others wounds and console each other. The World Champs have roared.