This is as big as it gets in world rugby. Simply put, the Tri-Nations opener at Eden Park on Saturday morning is between the two best sides on the planet.

The Springboks will have to rely on their muscle upfront and pinpoint tactics to overcome the most experienced New Zealand ever, while the All Blacks will once again try to show ball-in-hand rugby can overcome the kick-and-chase game at its best.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has selected a line-up with a combined 671 appearances, with captain Richie McCaw and fullback Mils Muliaina leading the individual count with 83 test caps each. Their backline see the return of Joe Rokocoko, while inside centre Ma'a Nonu pairs up with Conrad Smith along with Daniel Carter. This backline alone is good enough for any world team and a clear indication the All Blacks is looking to mix forward physicality with running rugby.

The Bok selection surprised with Wynand Olivier at inside centre but with Jean de Villiers on wing. Pierre Spies, Francois Louw, and Schalk Burger will lead the battle upfront with Bakkies Botha as the “enforcer.” The Springboks tactics will be simple. Forwards will go in hard, Morne Steyn will kick, Habana and de Villiers will chase. Simple, but effective.However, for the Boks to win for the first time in seventy-three years at Eden Park, the Boks will have to play exceptionally good. And I think they can do it.

I predict the Boks by 8.

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 (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs - 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon.

All Blacks - 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, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs - 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Richard Kahui.

Comments

Search

Hue   |2010-07-13 11:31:50 It's time to replace WO.. JDV @ 12, Ricki only 1st half and we need a no8 that can tackle.. not only run

xdunes  - re:   |2010-07-14 09:12:05 Hue wrote: It's time to replace WO.. JDV @ 12, Ricki only 1st half and we need a no8 that can tackle.. not only run I agree, JDV and Fourie as a pair cant be beaten, while Spies needs to commit to tackling or he should be replaced. Sometimes it looks like Spies is there only for the show

Coach19   |2010-07-16 09:57:58 ignorant ignorant ignorant. JDV is nowhere near better than WO. The backs need the ball to do the work and creat oppertunities? JDV was good but Wynand can break the line far better then Jean. Every one says change the backs out but we need the ball chap its not so hard to see this. Maybe Frans louw should be replaced because Ritchie and his boys were all over us at the break down. Schalk needs to come to the party as well. Spies is there to break defenses now i ask you how can he do that when he gets such flat ball from january??? It seems this is a stormers thing i know but these chap are great a super 14 level but when cruch time comes they are nowhere. get stuck in and earn your place. Just on the JVD and Habana they both were guilty for defending off their line last week creating the over laps for the ABs. Every one just wants to replace replace replace. I believe that frans louw is great but its party time and he needs to show up!

Only registered users can write comments!

Powered by !JoomlaComment 4.0alpha3

!joomlacomment 4.0 Copyright (C) 2009 Compojoom.com . All rights reserved."