Thursday 12th July 2007
If the Tri-Nations game in Durban between New Zealand and South Africa was a dress rehearsal for the World Cup Final, then this weekend's affair in Christchurch will be nothing more than a local pantomime production.
New Zealand have made sweeping changes to their side with the view of raising the standard throughout their squad, while South Africa will limp into Christchurch under the guidance of a fourth captain in as many games, and under the pretense of being an international side.
The two subplots to this encounter are vastly different and yet both conspire to a brutal ending for the touring Springboks. And as with the Commedia dell'arte of Ancient Rome this show will also teach a valuable lesson, namely that a wounded All Black will feast well on a weakened Springbok.
The misfortune of losing yet another captain last week has done nothing to detract from the comicality of this Springbok tour. It hardly started in a positive manner, ridiculed in the press, particularly in Australia, and has gone from bad to worse. The sniggers in the wings could develop into roars of laughter come Saturday.
Without their lead man, Bobby Skinstad (injured in the defeat to Australia), South Africa have turned to Johann Muller to lead them into battle amid surprised cries of 'oh no he isn't' during the week. The man himself admitted that not long ago he would have seen this particular predicament as crazy, yet it is one he appreciates the magnitude of.
Jake White, seen as the chief villain in many parts, has made four changes to his side, although on reflection many may now see him as the pantomime director. Ignoring the fact Peter Grant gave the side more fluidity when he entered the fray last week White has stuck with the indifferent Derick Hougaard at fly-half.
At least we know the Springbok lines now: 'ten-man rugby, chaps', so if they happen to stumble and forget them a prompt from the side stage will soon have them back on track.
Skinstad is ably replaced by Jacques Cronjé who will relish the chance to prove his worth with the World Cup rapidly approaching. Last week's debutant Jannie du Plessis will be joined by his brother, Bismarck, in the run-on front row after they become the 30th set of brothers to represent the Springboks last week.
The other change sees sevens star Jaco Pretorius come in on the left-wing. The evil villain traditionally enters stage from the left and with his pace Pretorius could add some devil to a rather predictable backline, yet he will have to go some way to snatch the villain tag from White himself.
After all it was his decision to leave the bulk of his squad at home, a case he vindicated through the injury to Skinstad. After all South Africa could have lost a first-choice player and not a 'B Bok'.
Playing the lead role is hardly a strange concept to New Zealand and they have a cast full of players happy to take the limelight. They also have more than one Victorian Harlequin with a magic touch. The addition of a rare defeat to Australia will only have added fuel to the All Black fire and a two-week simmering period means they are ready to ignite and wreak havoc on the Springboks
All that remains to be seen is whether they produce a rousing performance that brings the house down or stumble through their line amid a chorus of boo's. The likely answer is the former, although the dip in form of key individuals will be of concern, none more so than that of the affable Dan Carter.
Luke McAlister has been restored to his customary inside centre slot with Isaia Toeava outside him to form the twenty-third centre pairing in as many Tests for New Zealand. The presence of McAlister outside Carter may prove to be the catalyst that steadies the ship and allows Carter to hit top form again.
Having returned from paternity leave Doug Howlett returns on the wing in place of Rico Gear, who after a near faultless performance against Australia can consider himself hard done by to be out of the matchday squad altogether. Joe Rokocoko finds himself in a similar situation with cousin Sitiveni Sivivatu preferred on the left wing - although Rokocoko himself said Sivivatu was the best man in the position at present last week. Piri Weepu also gets a chance at scrum-half to complete the shake up in the back line.
Up front the vastly experienced Reuben Thorne gets a hit-out in the number six shirt, with hardman Jerry Collins having to settle for a place on the bench. Keith Robinson, who is finally fit again, returns in the second row to partner Chris Jack. His return will add an extra dimension to the All Black line-out, something they desperately need. Veteran hooker Anton Oliver is replaced by Keven Mealamu.
As in many Commedia dell'arte productions the notion of jealousy is a rife one, as it may also be between South Africa and New Zealand rugby at present. If this is the case then the jealousy is set to escalate on Saturday as there is only one team who will be taking the flowers from the audience at the final curtain call. As to the manner in which they earn that right we will have to reserve judgement for now.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: With such a side as Graham Henry has picked there isn't a player amongst them who you wouldn't want to watch. Yet after his considerable dip in form of late you may want to keep an eye on Dan Carter, as one senses there is a backlash in the offing from the Canterbury man.
For South Africa: With an uninterrupted run in the side Ruan Pienaar is finally getting a chance to showcase his considerable talents. He will get another shot this week and we may just get to see his running game as aimlessly kicking the ball away this week will cost the Springboks dear.
Head to head: Nobody is predicting a Springbok win, but if they want a chance of keeping an air of respectability to the score line then the battle at the scrum will be vital, and more importantly how young Jannie du Plessis stands up to Tony Woodcock. The All Black scrum is a menacing unit at its best and the Springboks could be in for a torrid time of it.
Prediction: It is hard to see anything other than a comfortable All Blacks win. The key factor will be if they click as a team and cut loose or if the Springboks can grind out another gritty effort as they did last week. One can't see it happening again. New Zealand by 22 points.
Recent results:
2000: New Zealand won 25-12 in Christchurch
2000: South Africa won 46-40 in Johannesburg
2001: New Zealand won 12-3 in Cape Town
2001: New Zealand won 26-15 in Auckland
2002: New Zealand won 41-20 in Wellington
2002: New Zealand won 30-23 in Durban
2003: New Zealand won 52-16 in Pretoria
2003: New Zealand won 19-11 in Dunedin
2003: New Zealand won 29-9 in Melbourne
2004: New Zealand won 23-21 in Christchurch
2004: South Africa won 40-26 in Johannesburg
2005: South Africa won 22-16 in Cape Town
2005: New Zealand won 31-27 in Dunedin
2006: New Zealand won 35-17 in Wellington
2006: New Zealand won 45-26 in Pretoria
2006: South Africa won 21-20 in Rustenburg
2007: New Zealand won 26-21 in Durban
The teams:
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Chris Jack,3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
South Africa: 15 JP Pietersen, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jaco Pretorius; 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jacques Cronjé, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Albert van den Berg, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Gerrie Britz, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.
Date: Saturday, 14 July
Venue: Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Conditions: Cloudy with a easterly winds and a slight chance or rain
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official: James Leckie (Australia)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)
By Marcus Leach - planetrugby.com
*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog
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