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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Springboks vs All Blacks - Who Will Win? 19 views
20 August 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Connected with:
Wiki Player
Richie McCaw,
Dan Carter,
Colin Slade
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Will an understrength All Blacks still be good enough to beat the Springboks in South Africa?
The Springboks have bulked up their forward pack in an attempt to bully the understrength All Blacks this weekend. The New Zealand TAB has installed the All Blacks as favourites paying $1.60 to the Springboks $2.20. The Springboks have named something close to their strongest lineup for this match which is their final hit out before the Rugby World Cup 2011. They have included some massive men like Wilem Alberts, Gurthro Steenkamp and Bismarck du Plessis, along with kickers Patrick Lambie and Morne Steyn from last week.
In contrast, the All Blacks are treating this as an opportunity to trial players and rest the most established stars. Funnily enough, South Africa came under fire when it was discovered that they were actually resting players for their away Tri Nations matches under false pretences. The All Blacks were up front about resting their top players this weekend and don't seem to have been criticised for doing this.
The All Blacks have plenty of places up for grabs still especially in the outside backs where Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane and Richard Kahui are vying for limited spots. It looks like Colin Slade and Sonny Bill Williams look to be shoe ins for the Rugby World Cup, but the outside backs will be looking to prove a point with Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford and Sitiveni Sivivatu likely to be playing in Brisbane next week. It is scary to think that such fine players like Hosea Gear and Cory Jane could miss selection for the Rugby World Cup.
It will be interesting to see how the best two All Blacks, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw are replaced. Colin Slade and Adam Thomson seem to be the best bet as backups during the Rugby World Cup tournament when required. Victor Vito and Liam Messam will be battling for the final loose forward spot. This week's starting tight five will make the All Blacks squad, but probably won't be the best tight five in the squad. It will be interesting to see how Jarrad Hoeata goes off the bench because he could be the bolter for the All Blacks.
I think that this match will be a similar scoreline to the Australia vs South Africa result last week. While it wouldn't be bad if an understrength All Blacks side loses away from home, if they win it will be a psychological boost against a full strength Springboks. The resting of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw among others will take away some of the edge the All Blacks would usually have. I will go All Blacks by 5.
South Africa: Patrick Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, CJ van der Linde, Danie Rossouw, Ashley Johnson, Francois Hougaard, Butch James.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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Tags:
Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams, Springboks, All Blacks, Bismarck du Plessis,
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