TN # 2 ABs v BOKS...... encore!

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

 Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has called for calm amid the Auckland carnage, and has obliged by making just two forced changes for Saturday night's rematch against the All Blacks.

Suspended lock Bakkies Botha is replaced in the second row by Bulls team-mate Danie Rossouw for the second Tri-Nations test in Wellington, while experienced front-rower CJ van der Linde comes in for injured tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis who is out with a calf muscle problem.

Sharks No 8 Ryan Kankowski takes Rossouw’s place on the bench in the only other change to the match 22.

De Villiers has resisted the urge to tinker with his backline, leaving Jean de Villiers on the wing, Wynand Olivier and Jaque Fourie in midfield and Ricky Januarie at halfback. All were ineffective in the 12-32 defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park.

The Boks forwards also had a poor match at Eden Park, and were strangely off their game both at the set piece and around the field.

De Villiers has called for a massive improvement from his men this week, but has also refused to push any panic buttons in his assessment of the four tries-to-nil demolition by the All Blacks.

The All Blacks have delayed naming their team until Thursday because of injury concerns to halfback Jimmy Cowan (abdominal strain) and wing Joe Rokocoko (hamstring). Matthewson & Guildford have been called in as cover!

SOUTH AFRICA: 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 Danie Rossouw, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon.

Puff Daddy (that's what their own call him! ) has refused to wield the AXE! . I think this decision will bite him in the BUM!

Cheers,
Baz 

P.S. Flip van der Merwe has been asked to join the party in place of  Head Bothar  today 

[Gwynn]

There's always two lines of thought after a defeat like that.

Do you A) Give the guys who let you down a chance for redemption
or B) See if some others can do better in their place

With the Springboks I'd be inclined to do as De Villiers has, use their resentment at being mauled so badly as motivation to get back up and inflict the same on the All Blacks this week.

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

Piri Weepu and Rene Ranger have been handed starting roles in the All Blacks team to play the Springboks in Wellington this Saturday.

Weepu comes off the bench to start at halfback in his 40th test, and Ranger, who made his test debut off the bench last month against Wales in Hamilton, gets his first test start on the left wing.

On the bench, Jimmy Cowan has recovered from his abdominal strain, while Israel Dagg, who played against Ireland and Wales, provides outside back cover.

Ranger's elevation comes after Joe Rokocoko was ruled out with his hamstring injury from last week's 32-12 demolition of the Boks in the Tri-Nations opener at Eden Park.

But with Cowan eventually judged fit enough to be involved his predicament can only be seen as a demotion.

In an outstanding All Blacks performance in Auckland he looked to be one player not quite up to the mark before he was eventually subbed.

Weepu has been lively in his efforts off the bench and will relish a start on home turf.

''We have stuck with the majority of players who played so well in last week's win at Eden Park and they are ready for what will be another major contest,'' All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.

"The players know that they will face a different, more physical Springboks side.''

The All Blacks forwards stood up to the Boks magnificently last week. They bristled in the loose where they controlled the breakdowns, they were dominant in the scrum and their lineout work was assured.

With no changes up front, the pack will take great confidence into the Cake Tin where the All Blacks have a grand opportunity to take control of the Tri-Nations as they look to wrestle their title away from the Springboks who were so impressive last year but appeared to lack both spark and imagination in Auckland.

All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith is excited at Ranger's potential. He had made an impact in Hamilton and his fitness testing had been remarkable.

"He could go out and tear them apart, potentially, who knows because it [test rugby] does some funny things to people," Smith said.

While Ranger had the ability to play centre and fullback, the All Blacks saw wing as his best starting position for the moment in their talent-stacked squad.

But he will certainly help cover centre on Saturday night as the All Blacks brace for the worst-case scenario with injured No 13 Richard Kahui who looks to be facing further surgery on a problematic shoulder and another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Kahui will see a specialist on Monday for a further assessment on the extent of his injury from last week's win.

''It's hugely disappointing for Richard who has played extremely well for the All Blacks and contributed greatly to the team so far this year and he will be sorely missed,” Henry said.

''We will await advice from the medical team on how long he will be out for.''
[
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mills Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.


Piri will relish the home game start with great one!

Cheers,
Baz 

[Geeves]

I'm expecting a far closer game this weekend especially as the Boks will be playing the game with 15 men.  The Boks are still without their best centre combination due to injury but they will have more spine after last weeks efforts.

Unless the Boks have a radical change in game play they won't be able to exploit Ranger on the wing. Ranger hard running and strength gets him through the defensive lines but I reckon he doesn't turn and chase well something that is not as vital in the centres. However, the Bok game play won't be putting grubbers behind him so it won't be an issue.  I'm expecting Ranger to cross the line at least once as he is a great finisher.

The media frenzy over here at the moment about the potential chopping and changing of the side to incorporate harder defence and more grunt up front is a poor comedy.  The comments about Deans have been pathetic but at least these bloke put the whole mess into some great satire .  I highly recommend it.

[ugly ref]

Glad Cowan got demoted. A scrumhalf bristling with agression is not what we need to win WC. I am not sure Weepu is the answer either long term, although he will be fit and rearing to go Saturday. I was hoping Cowan wouldn't be good to play as maybe some time for Matthewson off the bench may reveal the real joker in the pack for the WC.

The key for the game for me is Kaino. He played out of his skin and over his size in helping to nullify the Boks loosies. If he can emulate his performance the match will be half won. As I mentioned before last week's test, MacCaw and Read need to pressure Steyn and affect his kicking game, Kaino needs to take the heat off them and the tackle zone.

The Boks will try to go through some more phases before they hoof it in the air, that will suck in our fast fringe defenders. I expect Steyn will have kicked 4 pens by halftime as we try to slow the ball in these phases.

With the confidence from last week we'll score tries, so I'd say we're looking at a 31-28 thriller.

Ugly
 

[Gwynn]

I was hoping for Mathewson off the bench too - I think he provides the zip required by halfbacks with the way the game is being played, while not compromising on the physicality or kicking game either.

I wonder if Kaino's sudden ability to finally stomp his authority on the opposition (before he'd always been a consistent performer, not a great one) has to do with competition looming from Vito and Messam, both who offer relatively similar styles of game play and physicality.  The competition for that blindside flanker spot might be exactly what was needed to fire him up finally.

[Teach]

... as the Boks will be playing the game with 15 men...

Not this week I'm afraid. Bit of an over-reaction by the ref there.

Our attack was even better tonight although the Boks replied with a much better set piece.
A rare off-night on Carter's kicking cost us a bit, so it took a lot longer to put them away this week.
Good to see the solid defense when they had us under the hammer.
Great stuff from Dagg and Ranger - I think maybe no room for Rokocoko to return?

So many of our guys seem on top of their game at the moment, I'm loving it. 

[Teach]

.. Bit of an over-reaction by the ref there...

I've just seen some talk that it was actually an eye-gouge first, and the little kick to the leg came later. That would explain the big reactions from both McCaw and Rolland.

[DH]

Haven't seem the game, but from all accounts it was another comprehensive performance. It looks like the changes of rules/interpretions at ruck time have reverted springbok rugby back to a couple of years ago when they were uncompetitive.

Its seems bizarre to me. The Bulls etc can play expansive rugby, but the Springboks always revert to this odd 10 man game which relies on  a forward pack overwhelming you, kicking, then chasing. They've got the players to run it, but they rarely do. Under these new interpretions at ruck time, that style of game is ineffective.

cheers
DH

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

What a great encore in the wet!     Not as commanding in terms of set pieces but another four tries confirms superiority over the Boks at least for now. 

Izzy Dagg's was a  Cullen-like gem!

GH has already trimmed Ranger & Messam for Melbourne with only 26 going! Mathewson is there for Piri until the New Daddy stakes become clearer.

This confirms to me that Vito, had he been 100%, would have been on the bench earlier & Rokocoko is fit again. John Afoa is in as front-row cover for Melbourne.  Nine 3-N squad members have been released for preseason ITM  Cup if requireed.

I reckon Dingo's wallabies might have a surprise or two ready for the BOKS in Brizzy!

Cheers,
Baz 

[Teach]

It seems to me that Rokocoko is not...

.. beating players with pace.
.. beating players with guile.
.. beating players with strength.
.. running the right lines.
.. safe under the high ball.
.. going to get any better.

Stick with Ranger - he at least has some of the above, and needs to play at this level to complete the list.

[Gwynn]

Guildford and Ranger are definately the two vying for that spot, even Sivivatu will have to reclaim that spot from scratch once he recovers from injury.  The game now requires players who can be in position and able to take the high ball, and use it to counter attack.  Sivivatu can do the counter attack, but isn't safe under the highball and his positional play isn't great. Rocokoco can do none of the above.

Jane, Mils and Ranger/Guildford is a pretty dangerous looking back three right now - especially with the constrasting forms of chaos that Smith and Nonu are causing in the midfield.

[BallBoy]

Howdi all, gonna try and submit a post that reflects a fair view ... darn, probably not going to succeed but let me give the post a go anyways 

Superb performance again by the Kiwi's that played the ref & conditions. Bottom line is that the boks did not.

1st up is that yellow, according to law book that is what he should have received , might be ridiculous to all Saffers but thats the rule. can't on purpose kick - albeit a nudge - another player [the claims that it is actually a yellow for eye gauge is just plain nonsense, I'm sure even Richie will rubbish such a claim but then again I guess Bakkies helped us to be viewed in such a bad light again]

2nd up is the ref, yes i know we all here in republic always bemoan the ref when we lose. This time I'm affraid I have to do it more profusely, I really believe that he tilted the playing field towards the home side more often than not. this is where I want to bring in the quote from DH

It looks like the changes of rules/interpretions at ruck time have reverted springbok rugby back to a couple of years ago when they were uncompetitive.

all of last year and all of the S14 it was clear that the boks were superior due to the new ruck laws, so again proven in our 4 tests leading up to the 3N (cleaning up the French and Wales). My view, or let me say the view in the republic, is that Roland had absolutely no idea how to blow the ruck. I stopped counting after the 1st quarter the number of times that Richie & co fell over the ball and tirelessly slowed down the Boks ball, and kept on doing it because they did not get blown up too often for doing so. Where the Boks were stupid is that they did not apply the same tactics - probably too scared of being blown off the park. but should have played the tactic too. But it irks me that in our beloved game you have to play - an plan to play - according to a certain ref.
Really disappointed in Alin Roland's handling of the match

3rd up is Jean de villiers being banned for 2 weeks for his tackle on rene Ranger. Got to talk to my fingers here not to type a swear word but ffs, if he can get a 2 week suspension for that then surely Rene Rangers shoulder charge on Zane Kirchner should have received the same, surely??? at least per the lawbook  .
Was that Butch James he'd already be in Siberia for next 4 weeks)

lastly, does a different law book apply to Richie McCaw? 3 official warnings 2 of them within 5 meters of the goal line. say no more.

OK, after my rant, let me conclude that the best team on the day definitely won.
What I see necessary of happening to get the Boks back on the winning track is the following:
need Juan Smith back to clear out Richie & co at the breakdown. (will probably play in the test against the Kiwi's at Soccer City)
Need Heinrich Brussouw back to do to opponents ball what Richie has been doing (maybe he too will get away with 3 official warnings )
Wynand Olivier is a great S14 #12 but comes short by some distance in the test arena. we need a 12. Frans Steyn??
Can someone shoot January in the foot. Our back line does not function with him. we all know he's family of Puff Daddy (pieter de villiers) but even family ties can not be that strong. Fourie du Preez is clearly missed in the bok setup.
Bismarc du Plessis needed back soon. John Smit back to prop.
The ban on Jean de Villiers may be a good omen as we are just not blooding too many new boys. JP Pietersen had a good run the past weekend for the sharks against the bulls.
what happened to our defense - someone musta given our defense coach a sheep

Hope the Boks are back for the party next time these 2 sides meet 

[Hamish]

Guildford and Ranger are definately the two vying for that spot, even Sivivatu will have to reclaim that spot from scratch once he recovers from injury.  The game now requires players who can be in position and able to take the high ball, and use it to counter attack.  Sivivatu can do the counter attack, but isn't safe under the highball and his positional play isn't great. Rocokoco can do none of the above.

Jane, Mils and Ranger/Guildford is a pretty dangerous looking back three right now - especially with the constrasting forms of chaos that Smith and Nonu are causing in the midfield.

Don't forget that Kahui will be back in 3-4 weeks it seems

[Hamish]

I stopped counting after the 1st quarter the number of times that Richie & co fell over the ball and tirelessly slowed down the Boks ball, and kept on doing it because they did not get blown up too often for doing so. Where the Boks were stupid is that they did not apply the same tactics - probably too scared of being blown off the park. but should have played the tactic too. But it irks me that in our beloved game you have to play - an plan to play - according to a certain ref.
Really disappointed in Alin Roland's handling of the match

To be fair BB, I think the big difference in this is that the AB's were getting up very quickly and knocking the Boks over behind the advantage line thereby generating momentum......and I think this was one of the key differences in the two sides over the two tests.