The All Blacks have named their side to face the Springboks in Hamilton, NZ on Saturday in their second last Tri-Nations match (last match in the TN for the Bokke) of 2009.
The Team is:
15 Mils Muliaina
14 Josevata Rokocoko
13 Ma’a Nonu
12 Stephen Donald
11 Sitiveni Sivivatu
10 Dan Carter
9 Jimmy Cowan
8 Kieran Read
7 Richie McCaw (captain)
6 Jerome Kaino
5 Isaac Ross
4 Brad Thorn
3 Owen Franks
2 Andrew Hore
1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Rodney So’oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Isaia Toeava, 22 Cory Jane.
Looking at the team, I’m not exactly filled with fear… an ageing Joe Rocco, mediocre Donald at centre, slowpoke Jimmy Cowan at scrummie, Kieran Read, young inexperienced Franks…
This is an All Blacks team which should and could be beaten, except for the fact that they are still the All Blacks, have huge pride in their jersey and will be absolutely amped and determined to revenge the 2 losses to the Springboks in SA.
Depending on the Springbok selections, it appears that SA will once again have dominance in the line-outs. With Franks in their front row, the All blacks also have a “weaker” tight head, like SA… so, will we at least have parity in the scrums ?
The battle for the loose ball or ground ball is going to be huge, with Heinrich Brussouw having shaded Richie McCaw and Co in the 2 previous encounters. The All Black captain will certainly have identified that they better negate Brussouw’s influence, this time round.
In a man-for-man analysis of the backlines, The Bokke are better off at No 9 & 12, with parity at No 11, 13 & 14, whereas one would probably have to say that Dan Carter possibly shades Morne Steyn, but barely… and that Mills Muliaina shades Ruan Pienaar or Frans Steyn.
The All Blacks bench does not inspire fear either but neither does the probable Bokke bench.
I have this uneasy feeling that the All Blacks will be hungrier than the Bokke on Saturday, yet they have a bigger mountain to climb, having to get 4 tries, to keep their Tri-Nations trophy aspirations alive.
Match details:
Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT, 09:35 SA time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
@grootblousmile – Looks like you had quite a party this morning!!
Ooh! So it’s Bakkies & Nige together again. Not that there is anything wrong with that. 🙂
Happy birthday GBS. You about to cross a threshold? heh, heh 🙂
@JimT – Hello Jim, Not many logged on tonight. Been waiting for ages for everyone.
Going to watch some tv. Now. Probably back later or tomorrow.
GBS must be celebrating his birthday.
Cheers maybe back later.
@Puma – Damn, missed you Puma, maybe later?
Gosh it’s quiet tonight. Now it’s either due to people celebrating GBS’ BD or everyone has gone into hiding fearful of Saturday’s outcome, heh, heh 🙂
Given PDVs comments about Hamilton maybe it would be prudent for the Boks not to show up Saturday? 🙂
@JimT – 36
Jim, I am going to be bold and say Boks will win on Saturday. Never count out a Boks side that has just lost. We will come back fighting to win this thing.
@JimT – 36
Have you seen the stadium in Hamilton? Sharks played there this year and I think it only holds about 10 000 supporters. Well thats how it seemed to me. Not a big place to hold such a big international between the worlds number one and two sides. We used to big stadiums here in SA. So maybe PdV was right in what he said 😀
@Puma – 38 Yeah that would be a pity if the stadium is that small. But what an experience for the locals. 🙂
@Puma – 37 The Boks will play a very tight game to contain the ABs. After all they need to prevent the ABs from getting the bonus point. So it may prove to be not an entertaining match. I think the ABs will edge it, but Boks come away with the title.
@JimT – 39
Probably all sold out I think. Will be a experience for the locals to see such great sides playing each other.
Maybe we take them to Poffadder next year!! hahaha. Thats in the middle of no-where here in SA. We used to Stadiums that hold at least 50 000 most hold a lot more. So to see two great sides in such a small stadium seems crazy. Then I suppose every place needs to get a chance.
@JimT – 40
Hoping we beat them. That would be a great way to finish the Tri-Nations. A win in NZ would be awesome.
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