All Blacks vs Springbokke : Auckland

[PaarlBok]

What happen to the greats, Zac Guildford and that midget BoP flyhalf?

 

[Lance Free]

What happen to the greats, Zac Guildford and that midget BoP flyhalf?

Do you mean Mike Delany? Injured, as is Stephen Donald. Just no room for Guildford - I think mainly due to the balance of the bench but he won't be too far off it.

 

[Ruggo]

I thought Dagg would of made the bench. Is he injured Lance?

 

[Lance Free]

The experience of Muliaina was preferred - which is understandable in the Tri-Nations. He was concussed in the first Wales test but was available for selection against the Boks. Cory Jane will be able to cover for F/B and Kahui 2nd five eighths to wing.

I can't see him taking over the F/B role until after the RWC but you never know. He's certainly a handy backup.

 

[ACT Crusader]

No surprises there although I hope they bring Cruden on reall quick. Right.

Bok Team announcement delayed until Thursday due to knee injuries to Botha and Rossouw.

Personally I think it's just PdV tossing about.

I know Russouw is seen a the guy that provides versatility off the bench, but wouldn't Bekker provide lock/back row options also.

Bekker is in great form IMO and a tough cover for any team.

 

[Hartman]

I know Russouw is seen a the guy that provides versatility off the bench, but wouldn't Bekker provide lock/back row options also.

Bekker is in great form IMO and a tough cover for any team.

They are very different players. Bekker is the technical, Matfield-like lock, whereas Rossouw is the more physical, Botha-like lock. I imagine they have Rossouw on the bench because Botha is more likely to need replacing due to his physicality leading to fatigue and injury. Rossouw, like Bekker, has been in amazing form recently, and it's a pity that they are stuck on the bench behind the world's best lock pairing. They'd probably both be selected as the lock pairing in almost any other international team.

 

[PaarlBok]

The Bok team taking shape after todays practise, saw some TV images of it and the attendance there , unbelievable.

Sport24

Tri-Nations

No place for Aplon, de Jongh
2010-07-06 17:40Email | Print

Gio Aplon (Gallo Images)
Adnaan Mohamed

Auckland – Two of South Africa’s most exciting young backline talents Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh will not be in the Springbok starting line-up in the Tri-Nations Test match against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

The Stormers-duo have both played excellent rugby for the Boks since making their Test debuts this year. They have also proven themselves against the best that the Super 14 has to offer.

The Springbok match 22 will however only be named on Thursday, but if the Bok training session at the Takapuna Rugby Club on Auckland’s North Shore is anything to go by, Jean de Villiers will start on the right wing, with the Bulls-duo of Wynand Olivier and Zane Kirchner preferred to De Jongh and Aplon at inside centre and fullback respectively.

Aplon who played his last Test against Italy in East London at fullback, will probably make his debut against the All Blacks from the bench with De Jongh possibly out of the match-22

“The All Blacks are still the number one team in the world. It’s the dream of any youngster playing rugby in South Africa, to play against the All Blacks. I am still a bit nervous and sometime have to pinch myself to feel if everything is real,” Aplon said about the impending clash against the arch enemy.

Bakkies Botha (hamstring) and Danie Rossouw (hip) did not participate in Tuesday’s practice session. They will be given a chance until Thursday to recover.

Andries Bekker partnered Victor Matfield in the engine room, while Gurthrö Steenkamp, John Smit and Jannie du Plessis will again make up the front row.

The loose-forward combination of Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger and Francois Louw should remain the same.

According to Louw who will also make his debut against the Kiwis on Saturday, he expects the men in black will have a point to prove after their disappointing Tri-Nations campaign last year.

“We beat them three times last year and they will probably be out to take revenge. We are expecting a great onslaught from them,” warned Louw.

Ricky Januarie and Morné Steyn should remain as the halfback pairing, with Ruan Pienaar and Butch James warming the bench.

The possible Springbok starting line-up:
Zane Kirchner, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (captain) and Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Bench probably
CJ, BJ, Chillboy, Rossouw/ Bekker, Aplon, Pienaar

 

[PaarlBok]

Bok team announced as expected.

Sport24

Tri-Nations

Bakkies in starting XV
2010-07-08 06:42Email | Print

Bakkies Botha (Gallo)
Cape Town - Locks Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw have both been declared fit and included in the Springbok match 22 to face the All Blacks in the opening fixture of the 2010 Vodacom Tri-Nations at Eden Park in New Zealand on Saturday.

Botha, who is in the starting XV, has recovered from a hamstring strain whilst Rossouw, who is amongst the reserves, is over the hip flexor injury that kept him out of the previous Test against Italy in East London almost two weeks ago.

The starting XV for Saturday’s clash shows three changes from the one that started the second Test against Italy. Zane Kirchner returns at fullback in place of Gio Aplon, Wynand Olivier replaces Juan de Jongh at inside centre and Victor Matfield resumes his familiar role in place of Andries Bekker after being rested.

Aplon and Bekker move to the bench with Bekker replacing Flip van der Merwe and Rossouw preferred to Dewald Potgieter. Four bench players from East London have been retained – Chiliboy Ralepelle, BJ Botha, Ruan Pienaar and Butch James. De Jongh falls out of the match 22.

Coach Peter de Villiers said it had been a difficult selections to make.

“All of the players in the group are fit and available so there we some tough choices to make but we are putting a very strong team out there”.

De Villiers told a press conference at the team hotel on Thursday that his team was looking ahead and that last year’s results over the All Blacks did not matter. The Boks beat their traditional foe three times during the 2009 competition.

“If you look backwards you will go backwards. Last year’s results are in the past and we face a new challenge on Saturday. It will be tough but we expect it to be as it always is against the All Blacks”.

The Springboks’ perceived psychological edge over their opponents in the lineouts has received prominent coverage in the media in New Zealand this week and vice-captain Victor Matfield was asked for an opinion during the media session.

“It is always an area that we will target against any opponent but we will be looking to contest and get a few steals early on to maybe sow a bit of doubt in their minds.

The lineout is one of our strengths but we have to be good in all departments against the All Blacks because they are a great team. You don’t just pitch up here and expect a win, you have to work for it and I am looking forward to a fantastic contest,” Matfield said.

The selection sees Jean de Villiers retained on the wing with Wynand Olivier partnering Jaque Fourie in midfield. Asked about the combination, Fourie said he was looking forward to playing with Olivier.

“He is a great player and had a great Super 14 and I think we will go well. It is not only about the midfield partnership though but about how we can bring the wings and the fullback into play too,” Fourie said.

Number eight Pierre Spies said he expected a tough battle amongst the loose forwards. He added the new Springbok combination including Schalk Burger and Francois Louw was developing well.

“We are fortunate in South Africa that we do not have a shortage of good loose forwards. Francois has come into the side and has done well and the three of us are working well together,” Spies said.

Teams

Springboks:

15 Zane Kirchner,14 Jean de Villiers,13 Jaque Fourie,12 Wynand Olivier,11 Bryan Habana,10 Morne Steyn,9 Ricky Januarie,8 Pierre Spies,7 Francois Louw,6 Schalk Burger,5 Victor Matfield,4 Bakkies Botha,3 Jannie du Plessis,2 John Smit (capt) 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle,17 BJ Botha,18 Andries Bekker,19 Danie Rossouw,20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon

New Zealand:

15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock

Substitutes: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Richard Kahui

Pretty sure we have the soldiers to win this war. Mentally the Bokke should be strong enough with both teams in the S14 final and all experience all round the park but the most worried aspect for me is the way Pie Eater Januarie will make the right desicions with all the pill coming his way. The forwards hard work possesion hjave to combat his unability to make the right ones for our backs striking in this test. That will be the sum of all the parts add together.

 

[fatprop]

14 Jean de Villiers

Why?

 

[Hartman]

Why?

I don't get it either. To me the ideal backline would be

10. M. Steyn
11. Habana
12. De Villiers
13. Fourie
14. Aplon
15. F. Steyn

but what do I know?

 

[PaarlBok]

Why?

Not sure but I think they want to get experiense over the young ones in this one. Myself would have played Aplon anyday and not even pick Jean for this tour.

The June tests specially the last one when he played wing looks like they may play more the phases type of gameplan. Jean excellent in coming in from the wing in the 12 or inside Steyn to try and break the line or force second phase ball. He is also a known intercept specialist and he and Habana can ditch the All Blacks if they start getting frustrated and playing the helter skelter game they are know for. Their S14 teams love to play the same way.

Aplon obvious a game breaker and should be more then decent from the bench in either 15 or wing, givingJean the oppertunity to cover 12.

 

[PaarlBok]

I don't get it either. To me the ideal backline would be

10. M. Steyn
11. Habana
12. De Villiers
13. Fourie
14. Aplon
15. F. Steyn

but what do I know?

You wont get a bigger jean supporter like myself and honestly though JdJ would have started in 12. Juan defense was impressive this year and probably the area I dont rate Jean that high.

 

[Hartman]

You wont get a bigger jean supporter like myself and honestly though JdJ would have started in 12. Juan defense was impressive this year and probably the area I dont rate Jean that high.

I would have Jean there at this point just because of his experience, but I think JdJ should have played 12 in all of the home internationals, and given that experience I think he would have been solid for a TNs start.

 

[PaarlBok]

I would have Jean there at this point just because of his experience, but I think JdJ should have played 12 in all of the home internationals, and given that experience I think he would have been solid for a TNs start.

He had one Italy and Wales tests. Meisiekind and Bitch played the other two.

 

[cyclopath]

Bloody strong team any which way, even with Jean dV on the wing (which I really struggle to understand). I would also question the real value of Butch on the bench - surely there must be other options as backup first five.

 

[PaarlBok]

Bloody strong team any which way, even with Jean dV on the wing (which I really struggle to understand). I would also question the real value of Butch on the bench - surely there must be other options as backup first five.

Yep dont understand the Bitch logic at all. Should have been Peter Grant.

 

[Ruggo]

I agree PB. It has me stuffed why they don't honer the players that played their rugby in SA.

 

[ACT Crusader]

JDV is smart player and I think there must be some concerns over Kirchner's ability to cover the back defensively.

Jantjies and Frans Steyn both ahead of Kirchner as FB options, but both are injured, so it seems they are covering the best they can. JDV has played wing at test level so no major issues.

I'm hoping Carter really tests Kirchner and our chasers are in his face.

 

[Newb]

how fast is jean these days? that's a pretty large, but still mobile backline the boks have. interesting approach and one that i would like aus to explore.

might make some sense too. if aplon and kirchner were both at the back it could make for some messy cleanups.

 

[Richo]

Just reading the lock pair options for the Boks makes me jealous.