Related coverage
Hosea Gear returns to the All Blacks in place of Julian Savea in the most surprising of two changes to the team to face South Africa in Soweto on Sunday (AEDT).
Veteran left winger Gear and lock Brodie Retallick are the only new faces in the starting XV from the side who beat Argentina 54-15 in La Plata last weekend to wrap up the inaugural Rugby Championship.
With the All Blacks seeking a six-from-six clean sweep of the competition, coach Steve Hansen has stuck largely to his core group of players although the demotion of impressive youngster Savea from the 22 was unexpected.
Gear will play just his 12th Test since his debut in 2008 and his first since the 22-0 defeat of Australia in August. The dynamic Savea has impressed in the three Tests since but makes way for the 28-year-old.
Retallick pushes Luke Romano to the bench, with Hansen wary of protecting several facial gashes on Romano.
The gashes have prevented Romano from training fully this week, resulting in Retallick’s promotion for his ninth Test.
It is the fifth time Hansen has changed his starting lock combination this year.
Other changes to the reserve bench have resulted in prop Ben Franks, flanker Adam Thomson and outside back Tamati Ellison taking the places of Charlie Faumuina, Sam Cane and Ben Smith respectively.
It is the first Rugby Championship selection for seasoned loose forward Thomson, who has played second fiddle to Liam Messam and Victor Vito.
“We are in no doubt how big the challenge is for the team this weekend but it is one we are looking forward to as it will be a real test of our resolve and character,” Hansen said in a statement.
© AFP 2013New Zealand: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tamati Ellison, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Adam Thomson, Luke Romano, Ben Franks, Keven Mealamu.
Passionate about your union? Then sign up to The Roar's brand new daily union email, delivering Roaring articles directly to you day-in, day-out. You'll love it!
Click here to join now!
Looking to join The Roar team? We're searching for an experienced Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. Yes, this does mean you get to work with the site all day long! If you're a digital media sales star, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
- Explore:
- All Blacks, Julian Savea, Rugby Union
October 5th 2012 @ 4:11am
tieks said | October 5th 2012 @ 4:11am | Report comment
Yo All Blacks I’m proud to be one of your greatest supporters and thanks for keeping up the good work.:) And to my favorite two players,Dan and Israel i hope you are gonna make us proud this weekend and Richie the best captain ever:Be the captain you’ve always been since the beginning of the championship and lead by example as always.We know our supporters will get a win in our country.May God bless you with everything you’re doing. THANKS SOUTH AFRICAN SUPORTER TIEKS
October 5th 2012 @ 8:44am
Riccardo said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:44am | Report comment
Good on ya Tieks.
Not sure some of your mates on Keo or 24 would be so supportive (of you or us) but any support on the high Veld is appreciated.
October 5th 2012 @ 8:53am
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Awe mate, each to his own I say.
October 5th 2012 @ 4:57am
West said | October 5th 2012 @ 4:57am | Report comment
Gear, he better work hard in this test can’t afford to go hiding or missing. I’d expect his last chance or be dropped. So with that I hope to see a great game from him.
October 5th 2012 @ 5:28am
moaman said | October 5th 2012 @ 5:28am | Report comment
Gear was judged by some other yardstick after his last outing.His stats were fine;hitups,metres made,tackles etc. I guess you need a wider screen than mine to see whether his work-rate is lagging but the way I saw it-he was there or thereabouts in position to take the final pass which never came during those error-ridden early games.
He was magnificent for NZ Maori v England and we all (should) know he possesses one of the wickedest right-hand fends in the business.I’m glad to see him gnother crak.He deserves it.
October 5th 2012 @ 7:23am
Riccardo said | October 5th 2012 @ 7:23am | Report comment
Morning Moa,
You have to wonder how many more opportunities Gear is going to get though without a sublime performance. Savea’s form is compelling and he will only get better.
Disappointed to see Cane not on the bench; the exposure will do him good and I enjoy watching him play. That said Thompson should bolster the lineout which shows how seriously Hansen is taking this dead rubber.
The other surprise for me was Ellison over Smith on the pine. Smith has been outstanding when he has come on this series.
Should be a hell of a game.
All Blacks by 13…
October 5th 2012 @ 10:43am
moaman said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Riccardo—West—WQ…sorry,late reply,was away. Hard to disagree with Riccardo’s assertion that Gear will need a “sublime” performance but I’m finding it hard to separate sentimental attatchment to a player that chose to remain loyal to NZ rugby when large wads of dollar bills were being waved under his proboscis.
I hope each and every one of these players is judged fairly and coldly in the light of day by the selectors.I know us fans are often very subjective and easily swayed by a flashy move or a great try. As I said above I thought Gear’s raw stats were comparable to those around him .
What’s happened to Vito? Ben Smith looks tailor-made and ready to slot into Conrad’s snakeskin anytime soon so perhaps we need to look at ALL these changes in a different light? Could be rotation/keeping incumbents on their toes/rewarding squad ‘dirt-trackers;any number of things.
Finally,this AB team,even with Mils,Kaino and Thorn still boasts over 700 caps and this whilst blooding new men.That has to be a great enviroment (toxin-free
) for the new men to ease themselves into.
October 5th 2012 @ 12:32pm
WQ said | October 5th 2012 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
I think there is an element of keeping the squad fresh with enthusiasm.
The players coming in are excellent options and we will lose nothing in skill. They will however bring an element of enthusiasm in the process of trying to stay in the mix.
Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm I say and I reckon its not a bad move.
October 5th 2012 @ 4:21pm
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
Moaman, I think that is where NZ has the advantage, 700 caps is a good blend of youth and experience. I personally think it is a smart move by Hansen not to play Savea, Gear in my view is more experienced and a better all round player.
The Bok’s pack is still young, and it is up to them to match the All BLack pack as they did in Duneden, and not the all Black pack that must match them.
your pack is solid, in fact that is a very strong set of forwards, we struggled in the line outs in Duneden, usually one of our strengths against the all Blacks, Bekker if he wants to be seen as our next great 5 will have to step it up this weekend.
It will be interesting to see how the young backrow of SA match up to Messam, Read, MacCaw. I think the All BLack backrow has the edge in mobility, but I think Louw, Alberts and Vermeulen could be a tad more physical, they just need to temper their agression with smarts.
The all Blacks have a more settled backline and Smith brings a quicker service than Weepu and the other halfbacks, Carter will most likely again be at his best, so our backrow has their work cut out for them.
If there is a weakness or percieved weakness in the bok team, it could be the questions in defence of Pienaar and Goosen.
October 5th 2012 @ 6:13pm
moaman said | October 5th 2012 @ 6:13pm | Report comment
Biltongbek—Greetings mate; I agree with what you say; Carter was sublime last game-especially considering he had been down with a calf-strain! I considered him the single most important factor at Estadio Ciudad de la Plata (don’t you just love those spanish names?) and expect him and his mates with the big bags full of caps to be the decisive influence at Soweto’s ‘Calabash.’
Meanwhile….it seems like the old rivalry that fans of my generation grew teeth with is back and restored to it’s premier position in world rugby!! I’ll raise a glass to you and Suzy and Nicksa and Tieks when the ABs lay down Kapa o pango for an unprecedented 2nd consecutive match on Sunday morning
October 5th 2012 @ 6:24pm
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
Looking forward to it, my son loves the kamate, often when we get dressed in the morning, he will stand at his side of the corridor by his bedroom in his jocks (he is nine years old) and I will stand at the other end of the corridor, then we do the kamate.
Great fun.
October 5th 2012 @ 1:57pm
Suzy Poison said | October 5th 2012 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
I think it will be closer. I reckon All Blacks by 5. I yet to be convinced by the Bok defence. It seems they still have a dendency to let in silly tries. Heineken calls them soft moments, whatever you want to call them, they ruin all the hard work of the forwards. Also this All Black team has a lot of experience. (Double the number of caps) I think they probably didn’t respect the Boks enough in Dunedin, they won’t make the same mistake again.
Of course as a Bok fan, I am hoping that 90,000 crowd screaming for the Boks and Goosen’s unpredicatability might cause an upset. Hoping rather believing.
October 5th 2012 @ 8:57am
West said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:57am | Report comment
No doubt he’s a good player but he has to be better than the next guy was the point I was trying to make. Moaman
October 5th 2012 @ 9:05am
WQ said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:05am | Report comment
I agree moaman, I am so sure that he will have a great game, he has gone straight into my Fantasy Team as Captain!
October 5th 2012 @ 5:40am
Ben.S said | October 5th 2012 @ 5:40am | Report comment
I think this is a sensible move. SA away is a hard Test for a young man like Savea.
October 5th 2012 @ 5:57am
Wayne said | October 5th 2012 @ 5:57am | Report comment
Sensible use of the team, well done Steve.
Gear will bring some hardness that we will need against these SF brutes.
October 5th 2012 @ 6:43am
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 6:43am | Report comment
Well, the nerves aren’t easing, getting a tightness around the stomach, dry throat, sweaty palms and it’s getting tense in the household.
Nonetheless can’t wait for the match to start and will then watch from between my fingers ala horror movie style.
October 5th 2012 @ 9:12am
WQ said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:12am | Report comment
I have an Uncle in Cape Town and he said the same thing!
Still not sure why you would be nervous, your going well and playing at home?
October 5th 2012 @ 9:18am
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Going by the numerous disappointments of the last three years I suppose it has become habit.
October 5th 2012 @ 10:04am
Wal said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
I get like that before each AB’s vs SA, Aus test.
It would have to be the best and worst part of the week before a great test match, the anticipation.
I am f’ed if I know how the players manage I have to up my Blood pressure meds a couple of days out to cope.
This one should be a beauty I hope it lives up to all of the promise, if both teams click we are going to be in for a hell of a ride.
Just the AB’s by anything would make me happy.
October 5th 2012 @ 10:13am
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:13am | Report comment
I am sure it is a lot easier for them than us, we can’t do anything about the result, they can.
October 5th 2012 @ 12:36pm
WQ said | October 5th 2012 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
They look like they may have just turned the corner biltongbek. I personally think the injuries, although not wanted at the time, have given opportunities to guys that may have been overlooked for a little while longer.
All that I hope is that we get an excellent open game of attacking Rugby!
Good Luck by the way.
October 5th 2012 @ 6:25pm
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
Cheers WQ, same here, (just not too much luck though)
October 5th 2012 @ 7:15am
katzilla said | October 5th 2012 @ 7:15am | Report comment
They better have lots of Ice ready for the plane ride home, it’s gonna be a bruiser.
I’m yet to be convinced we can match it physically with any pack SA puts out at the moment, and the selection of Thompson baffles me. It’s the physical tight games he struggles in, Cane on the other hand would have excelled at the rough stuff against a big pack.
If Thompson requires game time then the Australian game would have been the place for him.
I can see Hansens logic in the Savea case, it might all be a bit much for a rookie should Goosen rain down on him, but Cane in the pack? I think he would have done well with some game time.
All in all it’s going to be epic, about time South Africa stepped up and gave us a little concern.
October 5th 2012 @ 7:29am
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 7:29am | Report comment
A little concern isn’t enough mate, we need to challenge you anywhere in the world and beat you at home.
Suth Africa must now step out of the shadows of their rivals and go toe to toe with them.
October 5th 2012 @ 8:26am
katzilla said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:26am | Report comment
Well it all starts here. Meyer has moved himself into a pretty good position this week, with his admission that Goosen should start and the subsequent result. Now having selected him again Meyer can’t really lose unless his forwards get belted, which isn’t going to happen. Should Goosen fail against Carter Meyer can at least attest to having tried to move things forward, if Goosen pays off then he’s a Walkie Talkie abusing genius. It’s a win win for Meyer.
October 5th 2012 @ 1:52pm
Chivas said | October 5th 2012 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
Not gonna happen.. but consistently defending at home would be a start. Also dare I say, I think Schalk will permanently stop the rot at home. I still think he is an absolute machine, the man doesn’t have an off switch and with his size and power he must be the best blindside, which allows the openside and no. 8 to play wider and better protect the edges.
In seriousness, this SA side is looking like it has the makings of a team which could redifne the game once again, which is outstanding as they have been just been trying to keep up over the last few years. Now if only the wallabies can stop going down, create a bit of internal competition for spots and bit of stability… rather than the revolving door, which is so unsettling… the SH will again own rugby.
And before jumping on this comment, for not including the Argies, awesome series, great support, great to see a full strength argentinian side, not the makeshift sides we have seen in the past cobbled together, based on who is locally available.
Hats off to all teams involved and the players and coaches who have represented their countries and teams with so much pride. Makes me proud to be a rugby fan.
AB’s by 5
October 5th 2012 @ 7:41am
HardData said | October 5th 2012 @ 7:41am | Report comment
What baffles me Kat is u think Cane, the smallest forward in the All Black squad, would excel against the SA Krakens, without other AB’s (Richie/Reid) doing half his actual job in advance????
October 5th 2012 @ 8:19am
katzilla said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Cane may be small, but he’s not shy to get amongst the rough stuff, in the few tests he’s played he makes it over the gainline with his hit ups more often then not which is something Thompson always struggles with against good defensive teams, and in that regard South Africa is the best. Don’t get me wrong, Thompson is an awesome player and against a team that’s loose around the rucks he will tear them to shreds, but South Africa isn’t that team.
October 5th 2012 @ 8:25am
Ben.S said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:25am | Report comment
SA looked pretty ragged defensively last week IMO, and maybe Hansen thinks the game will break up and/or he wants another lineout option on the bench? Personally I think Cane is the man to inject a bit of mongrel, but then Coetzee is probably closer to Thomson as a player, so horses for courses?
October 5th 2012 @ 8:28am
katzilla said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Yeah you could be right, that last 15 minutes will be crucial.
Still though, with the proficiency our backs showed last week I’d prefer more grinders to come off the bench in the last 15 to put us on the front foot and leave the space for our backs.
October 5th 2012 @ 9:01am
HardData said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Cane is lighter than one third of the recent average All Black backs on his heaviest day.
Even more so the reason that Gill, for all his virtues, will not stay in the big league and even hooper is not even All Black winger maeterial unless he steps and catches like Jane.
Do you guys think? that the physical bulk/height requirements in proffesional rugby going forward, are going to decrease, stay the same, or increase??
Surprisingly, Barrett has more future potential to the All Blacks at number 7 than Cane yet he will remain a first five contender.
Smaller players who will never cut it consistantly at international Rugby:
- Sam Cane
- Liam Gill
- Hooper?????
- Pocock(lack of height and mobility)
October 5th 2012 @ 9:24am
Ben.S said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Hooper is already cutting it, and IMO so will Cane. Can’t say re Gill. They’re young men too, and will probably add a bit of ‘good’ weight as they age.
October 5th 2012 @ 9:25am
Riccardo said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Nonsense.
Perhaps the greatest openside of the professional era is 106kg – he has played 111 times for the All Blacks and achieved every accolade in the game.
Cane rides the pine behind Latimer for the Chiefs, yet has been earmarked for the future by the All Blacks, such is his skill. He is 3kgs lighter and you believe he will not be able to sustain a career due to your perception about size?
Have you even seen him play?
October 5th 2012 @ 9:32am
katzilla said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:32am | Report comment
Mate, he’s bigger and taller then Michael Jones.
Are you going to try and tell me the Iceman wouldn’t cut it in Professional rugby today?
October 5th 2012 @ 9:58am
Kuruki said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Harddata wtf are you smoking?
October 5th 2012 @ 10:49am
RebelRanger said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Hooper is the near future for Australia. Actually looks the goods and even more so because he’s not over hyped like Pocock.
October 5th 2012 @ 1:54pm
Pogo said | October 5th 2012 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Players are composed of more than numbers, Thomson might be bigger than Cane but there’s a hell of a lot more to it than that.
October 5th 2012 @ 6:36pm
nickoldschool said | October 5th 2012 @ 6:36pm | Report comment
HD, HD, HD!!!! Bonnaire and Dusautoir are around 100kgs max, sometimes under. Please dont tell me they havent cut it at international level!!!
Look at Hooper, he is more active around the ruck than many other 110kgs flankers.
October 5th 2012 @ 9:22am
rl said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:22am | Report comment
agree Ben, I thought the Saffas still didn’t look right in defence against a team that wasn’t asking very difficult questions of them. Which is where Cane may have had more impact than Thomson late in the game. Don’t get me wrong, I think Thomson is a very good player, but less dynamic and less likely to make that definitive break late in the game (he’s more likely to be the player that offloads to a charging Messam or Read). I may well be wrong, but the big SAF forwards were falling back into old habits late in the game. (Kafer did an excellent analysis of this before the first Aus v Saf test this year).
October 5th 2012 @ 4:13pm
biltongbek said | October 5th 2012 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
I think you guys are reading a little too much into our defensive “frailties”.
Our cover defence is excellent and the OZ try came from some fancy footwork where Beale outplayed Hougaard.
October 5th 2012 @ 10:04am
mark said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
McCaw 187 tall, 106 kg, Kane 190 tall, 100 kg.
October 5th 2012 @ 10:12am
Kuruki said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:12am | Report comment
BOP had him at 103kg. He is not a small boy. McCaw has sized up from when he first made his mark on the scene Cane will get a bit more size as he matures also.
October 6th 2012 @ 1:31pm
Chivas said | October 6th 2012 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Not sure, I think lateral movement is a genuine issue for the south africans defensively…. One on one, you can always get on the edge of your man and as a friend of mine says if you can’t beat a player one on one you shouldn’t be playing. But that’s where the loosies come into play… and I think while the south african loosie are good at the ruck and maul, their lack of speed to shut down the insides (5/8 and 2nd 5) hard all the time is still an issue.
Anybody makes a break down those channels is a real issue as the support they have out wide puts extreme pressure on the back three. And right now I think SA is lucky to have have a banana playing so well. He’s playing like a freak and I can’t see his confidence going anywhere but up. thank god he’s a wing… but I think the real threat from SA at the moment is they have their heads up and know they can dominate the forward clash. If the AB’s can prevent that, then good for us, if they can’t… it’s gonna be a long day at the office.
October 5th 2012 @ 10:12am
Wal said | October 5th 2012 @ 10:12am | Report comment
I think Hansen recognises this game is potentially going to come down to composure under pressure, and although Thompson may not be as physical he doesn’t get flustered, and I suspect he will be used in the last 10-20 minutes once some of the sting has come out of the hits and the game opens up a bit. Same for Savea the worst thing he could have happen in his career now is to have a shocker and barrel his confidence.
October 5th 2012 @ 8:35am
Ben.S said | October 5th 2012 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Given that both Vito and Cane have been left out I have a cycnical suspicion that this might be an attempt to remind Thomson what the big games are like and to resign with the NZRFU. Just an idea… I still think he’s been chosen to play link man in the later stages though. And as much as Louw played well last week he’s still a 6.5 and not a pilferer, so there is a logic there… Conversely, you could say it would make sense to have gone with, like you say, a grinding 7 like Cane. Personally I’m not sold on Thomson being there… Just can’t see the point.
October 5th 2012 @ 9:54am
Kuruki said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:54am | Report comment
I think it is more rewarding those guys for a job well done. Experience in a game like this is huge.
October 5th 2012 @ 9:16am
Indio said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
I’m more worried about Ellison being on the bench instead of Smith. If we have to yank Gear, we’ll end up with Ellison marking Habana and that’s not a contest I would relish watching!!
The ABs gameplan is quite simple: run the big Boks off their feet. Even at 1.7km altitude, they still have to suck in oxygen just like the ABs. Fitness will win this test.
And please don’t carry on about missed penalty kicks being the ultimate decider!!!
October 5th 2012 @ 9:52am
Kuruki said | October 5th 2012 @ 9:52am | Report comment
The more i think about it the more i understand why Hansen has made the changes he has made. No young player is going to come out and shine against 90,000+ South African fans in Soweto. Thomo and Gear and Ellison are all experienced players. They have probably been training the house down and Hansen is rewarding them this week for the efforts.
As for people worrying about Tamati Ellison i have no idea why. The guy is a strong runner and rarely makes bad decisions. He would not be out of place anywhere in the NZ backline 11-15.
Gear needs to step up and make his mark.
Thomo is a good lineout option against a big South African pack and he also always brings impact from the bench sniffing out the tryline often with his speed and good fend.
Going to be a very big contest. South Africa will need to go into the break with a lead because the All Blacks will lift intensity as the game gets deeper and rarely can anyone go with them.
October 5th 2012 @ 12:49pm
ohtani's jacket said | October 5th 2012 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Israel Dagg didn’t do too badly at Soweto in front of 90,000 people, though he did almost dive over the deadball line I suppose.
Personally, I wonder if they’re worried about Savea under the high ball.
October 5th 2012 @ 2:15pm
Kuruki said | October 5th 2012 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
He didn’t play much of that game by memory. i thought he came off the bench and was the recipient of a break from Nonu.
October 5th 2012 @ 2:47pm
moaman said | October 5th 2012 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
Believe you are right Kuruki–from (my dodgy)memory Dagg replaced Rococoko (remember him?) and Ma’a stepped an aging John Smit in midfield,minus one boot! Dagg gave me coniptions by appearing to have his arm millimetres from being dead-in-goal when he slid over! (as OJ mentions above)