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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Trinations Game 5: SA v NZ Squads 14 views
18 August 2011 by deep
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It's hotting up and both teams will be out to impress as the final spots for the RWC squads can still be decided.
It's getting harder to pick now. The Springboks get a second game on home ground with an A squad of old heads, boosted by a small degree of continuity and a generous helping of desire for revenge. The All Blacks are confidently blooding new combinations, and are still a formidable side.
I feel the South Africans are gearing toward a kick and chase mentality, following the old school approach of gaining field position and then suffocating the team with the ball until mistakes are made. Morne Steyn will spearhead this attack. Howerver with the modern rules giving a little more favour to the team with ball in hand, I don't know that this will be a winning formula.
Henry and co have 3 fullbacks in their squad, balanced by some quality attacking force. They'll handle the heat and deliver right back with interest.
I don't think the Springboks are up to full speed yet, but they're fast getting there. The All Blacks have pockets of 'B' team about them. That said, seeing SBW with a start and his combination with Kahui and Slade will be interesting watching. Comebacks by injured players are also worth a watch - Dagg, Toeava and Woodcock in mind here.
I'm picking a very close encounter, higher scoring than last week (where I expected the Boks to score a few more points and win by that nose). In this case I have to run with biased passion and say that it's the All Blacks turn, by a nose.
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 (captain), 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 (captain), Tony Woodcock.
Reserves:
Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.
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