The Springboks have named their most experienced side in their history, with some 836 Test caps among their number. Interestingly, coach Peter de Villiers has retained Captain John Smit at hooker, and left one of the form players of the pool stage, Bismarck du Plessis, on the bench.
Likewise, there’s no room for “the Beast”, Tendai Mtawarira, in the South African 22 at all, and Bakkies Botha has now been ruled out of the tournament.
But none of that is likely to upset the ‘Boks very obvious game plan, and with Morne Steyn among the tournaments very best kickers of the flash new Gilbert, the Wallabies will know what they’re up against.
But knowing is one thing. Acting accordingly is something very different again. Already, much has been made of the appointment of referee Bryce Lawrence. The critics will point to all sort of stats that suggest Lawrence is hard on the Wallabies, but that cannot be a factor going into this game.
In fact, the equation is simple, as Roarer Snobby Deans so beautifully put it yesterday: “Adapt to the whistle or pack your bags.”
The Wallabies name their side at 11:30am AEDT today, and all eyes will be heading straight down the list to No.12, to see which inside centre Robbie Deans has named. Berrick Barnes can’t have done any more than he has in his Australian comeback to earn the Quarter Final start, yet all the mail around still points to Pat McCabe getting the nod.
I can’t fault McCabe’s performances at 12 so far this year, and I think he’s done exactly the job asked of him with so much creativity around him. But Barnes has just been irresistible in the 121 minutes he’s played so far in RWC2011. Moreover, his presence has had an obvious calming effect on those around him, particularly Quade Cooper.
Calmness in high pressure situations is like gold, and I hope too much isn’t been made of both the Wallabies wins over the ‘Boks this year.
I guess the other big question will be whether Nathan Sharpe or Dan Vickerman partners skipper James Horwill in the second row. South Africa are expecting Sharpe, but it remains to be seen if the Wallaby selectors are accommodating.
In the other Quarters:
• Just how fit is Richie McCaw?
• Is Martin Johnson having the classic bit each way, with Jonny Wilkinson at 10, and Toby Flood at 12? and..
• Has there been a more mouth-watering prospect this tournament than Ireland-Wales tomorrow afternoon?
Anyway, join me today for an hour from 12:30, and we’ll see if we can’t tackle the big issues leading into the sudden death clashes.
Mike
Guest
j-b, At what point did Deans bring on Barnes in his last match? I seem to recall it was the end of the first half...?
WooF WooF
Guest
Shame Ashley-Cooper wasnt at inside centre and O'Connor at outside centre, we DO have lots of good wingers, as long as the forwards can hold their own it is the centre attack that more than any creates space, with Cooper being so fragile but a freak for his unkown quantities of good I would have liked to have seen a previous experiment with that combo - ahh well too late now - just imagine Semo on the wing outside them two! Ohh one last thing, the most impressive thing I find about O'Connor is his ability to re join the line after either completing a tackle or being tackled, he just gets back up there QUICKLY! He defendes well, has upper body stregth , can beat a man and give a good ball - does great at wing - could be sensational at outside centre alongside another man who used to be brittle but is now tough - A A-C. Quade Cooper, mmmm...too brittle for me at the moment!
johnny-boy
Guest
I'd be surprised if McCabe lasts more than 15 minutes, pleasantly surprised at medical techinology if he last 30 minutes and shocked if lasts the game. Not counting the last 30 seconds when strategic genius Deans brings on Barnes
johnny-boy
Guest
Sorry to be late to the conversation but this argument that McCalman covers 7 is complete and utter nonsense. He obviously doesnt. It's a furphy.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think the second row is exactly right. Vickerman is our most combative lock (hence the penalties) and needs to be there from the opening for the tight exchanges. Sharpe can come on later and do a job in the lineout. Sharpe typically only turns up for the breakdown for the first twenty or so that he is out there so I have no issue with him being there for just the back end.
Mike
Guest
Hori, Hoodoos mean nothing. ABs tend to lift when playing in a packed Eden Park is all, but sooner or later every hoodoo is broken. Look at Boks a couple of years ago - they hadn't won at Dunedin in about 100 years - a century. But they still won the game. I know George Smith has his fans, but I just cannot see how he could push out Pocock, who is probably our most dangerous player at present.
Ivan
Guest
Heres the news - it may be good or bad, depending on who you support - Wales performance agains the Boks in Round1 - would have beaten Australia. Samoa's performance against the Boks in round 4 - Would have beaten Australia (again). Me thinks the Boks have been battle hardened a little too much for the Wallabies to handle. Me expects the green machine, to sink the yellow submarine.
Hammer
Guest
Why is Sharpie not starting????????? Game over!!!!! Sharpie is in great form and his commitment at the line outs and kick offs are truly amazing!! Deans you crazy bugger!
flying hori
Guest
I really, really hope the wallabies win so they can face the ABs in the semis - then its pay back, wallas can only do a oncer against us so come next weekend be prepared to face the Eden hoodoo. The AB forward pack is the form pack in the comp - always improving and very confident in there work, Kaino the MAN! Wallabies need George Smith, the best 7 that ever and will come out of Aussie and the only flank that can compare to Richie.H
chloe
Roar Rookie
Berrick could also come on later to kick a few drop goals if needed..
Sam Taulelei
Guest
Ha, ha, one of these days Brett I'll have to check out this whole Twitter business, glad to live vicariously on Twitter through you.
Brett McKay
Expert
Sam, just want you to know that your line about Ioane, Weepu, and KFC has been shared among my Twitter following - comment of the day, good sir...
George
Guest
Barnes is a very good tackler and what makes him better than McCabe is that he has an excellent rugby game. McCabe can only do one thing and that is crash & barge he has no side step or the class of a Horan whereas Barnes has the class of a Horan. In addition Barnes has a good kicking game and provides excellent support to the erratic Cooper - McCabe offers zero in that regard. Barnes passes the ball to players around him and is always looking to inject himself as an additional runner in the game whereas McCabe is singular in his thinking (would make a good Rugby League player as you do not require to think to play League) for he rarely passes or loops around to be an additional runner when the Wallabies have the ball. Selection of McCabe in the starting side is a big mistake as is Vickerman over Sharpe. The question is will Deans use his bench wisely and bring on both Barnes & Sharpe with at least 30 mins of game time (I would prefer the whole second half as that would surprise the Boks) and not just the last 8 mins of the game. Barnes in particular is a quality impact player if used wisely off the bench. Deans use of the bench so far in this tournament has being abysmal. I question Deans tactical nous - at Canterbury Crusaders he just had a great side (not one passenger & all with good rugby brains) that made a mediocre coach look really good.
Sprigs
Guest
Yes, Sam, and we will remember to be relaxed like you too. Pass the valium, dear... Go Quade!
Sprigs
Guest
Ha, ha.. nice..
Bruiser
Guest
So they drop Higginbotham completely from the 22?! How unlucky can you be? Then keep McCalman as cover for 7 even while bringing Hodgson over who isn’t even in the 22 either. If Pocock gets injured early we will be screwed as how would McCalman deal with Brussow?? Thought they might have learnt their lesson. Also given it will more than likely be wet and cold (both of which the Aussies do not deal with well) I thought Barnes would have offered more to help Cooper play field position and move the team around better, rather than McCable simply trucking it up in the wet. Both are equal in defence in my opinion and Barnes can deal with the big centres. I can see it now; the SA’s attempting the Irish trick of holding McCabe up as he goes into traffic. Oh well i guess the selectors now best…
Mike
Guest
Trawling around the Bok blogs, the two Wallaby players that concern SA fans most are Pocock and Beale. And, they can't understand the benching of Barnes. The tussle between Pocock and Brussow may well decide this game...
Chris
Guest
Shame Barnes isn't starting. The backline looks much more complete and settled when he's there. McCabe is an honest trundler, but Barnes seems a step up in class to me. Reminds me of Stephen Larkham...
Justin
Guest
I'd say zero to all those questions, the holes may close as he is too slow actually. It's not his fault he isn't a 12 and should never have been selected.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Positives with this Wallaby selection: Digby Ioane - the man eats up running metres the same way Piri Weepu used to eat KFC. He's the Wallaby go to man to go forward. Genia & Cooper - against conventional wisdom you can ignore their erratic form to date. They are talented, and can create something from nothing. If the forwards lay the platform, these two will steer the good ship Wallaby home. Same starting pack from Brisbane test - Their first half performance proved the forwards can stand toe to toe and mix it with the best of them. They were aggressive, had low body positions and were quick off the line in defence, pressuring Weepu and Carter into errors. They just need to continue that effort and intensity for the second half and they'll be good enough to go all the way. Venue - this is the Westpac stadium and not Eden Park, no hoodoo here for the men in gold. Underdog status - The Wallabies are shaded by the bookies in this match, there have not been any of the pre match boasting and cockiness that they have been guilty of in the past. Their minds appear to be on the job.