AB's v Springboks - 2nd Test @ Dunedin

[ozbash]

The All Blacks have made two changes to their starting XV for the second Tri-Nations test against the Springboks.

Anthony Boric comes into lock and John Afoa gets the tighthead prop's jersey for the Dunedin showdown on Saturday night.
Boric replaces the suspended Brad Thorn who sits out a one-week ban after being found guilty of "unsporting behaviour" with his controversial tackle of Springboks skipper John Smit at the Cake Tin.
The Springboks claim that Thorn's tackle initiated a groin injury to Smit that has forced him home, meaning he will be absent from Saturday's match and the Boks' clash with the Wallabies in Perth the following weekend.
Afoa, injured in the opening test of the season against Ireland, gets a start at the expense of Greg Somerville.
"John showed some very good form before his injury," noted All Blacks coach Graham Henry in announcing the team.
"He's been waiting patiently for his knee to come right and to get back on the field."
There is just one change on the bench where Kevin O'Neill gets a chance to make a test debut as locking cover.
The All Blacks are looking to back up from last weekend's impressive 19-8 win in Wellington that opened the 2008 Tri-Nations tournament.
"We showed a lot of guts last week and we are very proud of that, but we want to improve technically. We expect the Springboks will lift their performance and we'll need to be better if we are to win," said Henry.
The All Blacks are defending an unbeaten record against the Springboks at Carisbrook.
The closest margins between the two sides in Dunedin were four-point wins to the All Blacks in 1956 (10-6) and 2005 (31-27).
The Springboks will name their side on Thursday.
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rodney So'oialo (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4611838a1823.html

 

[African Monkey]

Would have replaced Ellis with Cowan as well.

 

[ozbash]

Would have replaced Ellis with Cowan as well.

same, cowan made a big difference to the game when he cameon. Ellis was a bit slow, predictable.

good to see big john get a crack at the SA front row..

 

[Timbo]

Ellis was definitely the weak link, his service was v. predictable; pick up the ball, run 5 metres crossfield and pass it.

Almost Greganesque

 

[Alehana]

stephen donald? WTF, i know we need a number 10, but seriously surley we'd have some1 better

 

[African Monkey]

He's been on the bench for all the ABs games this year.

 

[Alehana]

haha yeh just realised it

 

[kia ora storm]

Yep...not sure about Donald. Makes heaps of mistakes but does run the ball.

 

[African Monkey]

If Stephen Brett was fit i'd have him in there instead.

 

[Alehana]

definately, next few years he will be awesome, bit cocky atm,

 

[ozbash]

South Africa have made three changes changes to their starting line-up for the second Tri-Nations rugby test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

Beaten 19-8 in Wellington last Saturday the reigning World Cup champions have responded by axing fullback Conrad Jantjes and wing Odwa Ndungane while Bismark du Plessis predictably comes in at hooker for captain John Smit, who has returned home with a groin injury.
V eteran fullback Percy Montgomery is promoted from the bench for Jantjes, who loses his spot after five successive tests in the No 15 jersey.
JP Pietersen replaces Ndungane on one wing while halfback Ruan Pienaar replaces Bolla Conradie on the bench.
Smit left New Zealand on a sour note earlier this week, claiming he suffered the injury when dumped on his back by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn during the opening minutes of the clash at Westpac Stadium.
Thorn was suspended for a week after a SANZAR judicial hearing.
South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: Schalk Britz, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.
-NZPA

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Rovelli]

Butch James is so overrated, his only purpose could be to hurt DC. Francois Steyn with his running ability, kicking ability, and ability to kick a goal anywhere from 60m out would've been a better choice. Oh well. We'll take another win if we can get it.

 

[kia ora storm]

Butch James will get targetted by the AB's...a one dimensional tackler pretending to be a first 5/8.

Montgomery is prone to shockers and the AB's will bomb him all night.

Nonu will terrorise him.

 

[ozbash]

Actually, I reckon there will be a bit of the old biffo tonight.

see their d/c of a coach has come out and said that we're a pack of racists.

not very nice at all

 

[Timbo]

I thought Jantjes was close to being best on field for the Boks in the first test, strange decision to leave him out.

 

[Rovelli]

Percy does give them a kicking option and another first-receiver. He's less adept with fullback duties than Jantjes. Surprising that he got the axe, really.

 

[African Monkey]

Butch James is so overrated, his only purpose could be to hurt DC.

That's how I see it. He doesn't add anything playing at 10. Surely they would pick Steyn or Montgomery to play there instead.

 

[African Monkey]

FMD 6 penalty goals inside the first 20 mins. It looks like we'll be hearing the whistle all night.

 

[eastsrule]

What a try by Januarie...

this game has been amazing...

 

[kia ora storm]

Hmmmm...Thomson got dominated tonight and they are missing McCaw big time.

Ellis is simply too slow in his distribution from the ruck and this needs to be fixed immediately.

Sometimes the bouce of the ball is a merkin...Januarie was lucky.