Springboks v All Blacks
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Well, I was completely wrong about Kaino getting the start.
Hansens' comments suggesting that if the baton hasn't been passed, it's pretty bloody close.
The other loose forward selection that's interesting is Todd - who appears to have snaffled Ardie's job. Resting Ardie or throwing Matt a bone?
Otherwise - seems like NMS might have a small edge on Naholo and TKB gets the bench spot - probably his last AB appearance?
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@stargazer said in Springboks v All Blacks:
Liam Sopoaga is back with the team after missing the Buenos Aires leg due to the birth of his first child but it's Beauden Barrett who retains the No. 10 jersey, despite suggestions midweek that the Highlanders pivot would start. "We thought we can either start [Sopoaga] this week and put Beauden on the bench. Then you think you've got the best five-eighths in the world playing on the bench, you may as well play him," said coach Steve Hansen. In other adjustments Nehe Milner-Skudder moves back into the right wing for Waisake Naholo, and TJ Perenara drops out of the match-day 23 for rest purposes. Tawera Kerr-Barlow will likely make his first appearance of the Rugby Championship, named as starter Aaron Smith's back-up. There's still no room for Jerome Kaino who again misses out on selection. He hasn't made an appearance for the All Blacks since the Lions series after taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. Hansen believes the quality of Squire's play has made him impossible to ignore. "He'll get an opportunity, he just has to wait," Hansen said regarding Kaino. "Liam Squire's played outstanding. We've left him at home to give him a rest and freshen him up for this game, and it would be pointless just to chuck [Kaino] in. "There's a Test match in a couple of weeks and quite a few games on the northern tour, so [Kaino] will get opportunities in those games at some point."Liam is Lima's brother?
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@taniwharugby said in Springboks v All Blacks:
@act-crusader yeah does seem odd that he was sent home allegedly for reasons pertaining to his home life that needed sorting, and yet they have taken him on a 2 week holiday to Argentina and South Africa...
Was he sent, summonsed or realised he'd better get home smartly? Think it wasn't so much the team sending him.
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Springboks
15 Andries Coetzee, Emirates Lions – 8 caps, 0 points
14 Dillyn Leyds, DHL Stormers – 4 caps, 0 points
13 Jesse Kriel, Vodacom Bulls – 24 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
12 Jan Serfontein, Vodacom Bulls – 34 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
11 Courtnall Skosan, Emirates Lions – 8 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
10 Elton Jantjies, Emirates Lions/NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) – 19 caps, 191 points (2 tries, 35 conversions, 37 penalties)
9 Ross Cronje, Emirates Lions – 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)
8 Francois Louw, Bath, England – 53 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, DHL Stormers – 28 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
6 Siya Kolisi, DHL Stormers – 24 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
5 Lood de Jager, Vodacom Bulls – 31 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), DHL Stormers – 62 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
3 Ruan Dreyer, Emirates Lions – 3 caps, 5 points (1 try)
2 Malcolm Marx, Emirates Lions – 10 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
1 Steven Kitshoff, DHL Stormers – 18 caps, 0 pointsReplacements:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, Cell C Sharks – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
17 Trevor Nyakane, Vodacom Bulls – 33 caps, 5 points (1 try)
18 Wilco Louw, DHL Stormers – 0 caps, 0 points
19 Franco Mostert, Emirates Lions/Ricoh Black Rams (Jap) – 14 caps, 0 points
20 Jean-Luc du Preez, Cell C Sharks – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21 Rudy Paige, Vodacom Bulls – 11 caps, 5 points (1 try)
22 Handré Pollard, Vodacom Bulls – 21 caps, 188 points (2 tries, 29 conversions, 37 penalties, 3 drop goals)
23 Damian de Allende, DHL Stormers – 25 caps, 15 points (3 tries)Info:
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is shoring up the lineout going to be enough, given they probably lose a bit of mobility and speed with an extra lock at 7(6)
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@taniwharugby Don't imagine so. Du Toit is slow for a 6. And Etzebeth is a real plodder speed wise. But I do think Cronje has a not dissimilar effect on Boks backline as Nugget does on ours. Kitshoff won't weaken Boks at scrum time and seems to like propping against Nepo.
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I love how Newlands is SA's oldest rugby stadium, and how SARFU has dragged their heels for years getting an AB test scheduled there 'cos they know how strong the support for ABs is on West Cape. Don't disappoint the home fans, boys!
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@taniwharugby said in Springboks v All Blacks:
is shoring up the lineout going to be enough, given they probably lose a bit of mobility and speed with an extra lock at 7(6)
The easy option us to blame the thrower for a disfunctional lineout, and I'm going to do that. Not sure 2 inches of heigh will make much difference of Marx is throwing scuds.
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