All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named a strong team as he chases what he’s describing as a Rugby Championship Grand Slam agaInst the Springboks on Saturday.
The starting forward pack remains unchanged from the named outfit last week and Luke Jacobson returns at No.8 after his late withdrawal with illness last weekend. Asafo Aumua comes in at reserve hooker and George Bower comes in for Karl Tu’inukuafe on the bench.
In the backs, Brad Weber replaces TJ Perenara at halfback, with Perenara moving to the bench.
Anton Lienert-Brown returns from injury to the No.13 jersey, with Rieko Ioane moving to the left wing and Sevu Reece on the right.
Richie Mo’unga, who re-joined the team this week after quarantine, was named on the bench with Damian McKenzie as Beauden Barrett was preferred at flyhalf and Jordie Barrett retains the No.15 jersey.
“The energy levels are high in the team, it’s our fifth Test in a row, and we’re highly motivated ahead of another big Test against South Africa and the last Test of the Championship,” Foster said.
“We’ve achieved the Championship title, which we’re really proud to have achieved.
“The fact that we now have the chance to achieve a potential Grand Slam against our Southern Hemisphere opponents is pretty special. I’m excited by that and it has already given this weekend’s Test an edge.
“We learnt some lessons last week. We didn’t look after the ball as well as we could have and some of our work at the ruck wasn’t as good as we wanted. We have to lift our performance in that area and the team is keen to get that right this weekend.”
The All Blacks won last weekend’s historic 100th match against the boks 19-17 thanks to a late penalty from Jordi Barrett.
The aftermath has been dominated by argument over the Springboks style, and All Blacks legend John Kirwan was the latest to stick the boot in on Thursday.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB Kirwan said it was frustrating to watch.
“I think the scary thing for me was after the game the coach and the captain thought they’d had a good game,” Kirwan said.
“They’re not going to change their DNA but I think they need to because it’s not the game that I love.
“We do have an obligation to the fan, we want to make this game entertaining, if they want to kick high balls, it’s still tactically acceptable … but I don’t believe that’s in the best interest of the game and not within what I would call the values of the game.”
South Africa named their team on Tuesday night, making two changes from the team narrowly beaten in Townsville.
All Blacks squad (with caps)
1. Joe Moody (53)
2. Codie Taylor (63)
3. Nepo Laulala (36)
4. Brodie Retallick (88)
5. Scott Barrett (47)
6. Akira Ioane (9)
7. Ardie Savea (55) – captain
8. Luke Jacobson (9)
9. Brad Weber (13)
10. Beauden Barrett (97)
11. Rieko Ioane (43)
12. David Havili (10)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (52)
14. Sevu Reece (13)
15. Jordie Barrett (31)
16. Asafo Aumua (3)
17. George Bower (7)
18. Ofa Tuungafasi (41)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (40)
20. Ethan Blackadder (6)
21. TJ Perenara (74)
22. Richie Mo’unga (26)
23. Damian McKenzie (36)
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh maybe, but I'm talking about the Bokke, in which he wasn't in the picture virtually. Those stats against them are nothing, as they are our most formidable opponent, as proven playing them over the last century. We expect them to be up for it as they mostly are.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Everyone I can find rated DMAC poorly ... including myself. You're not related to little Frodo by any chance? Damian McKenzie: Injected at fullback for final quarter, but couldn’t get hands on the pill much, with some shakes under the high ball. Some handy scramble defence. Score 4 Stuff NZ 'On at 57 and showed why he can’t start against the South Africans, at least not in the backfield' - Score 4.5 Rugby pass player ratings
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Actually this quote comes from the 'Breakdown' series where he explains his position fairly comprehensively.
winston
Roar Rookie
Yeah but I’d assume it’s the coach instructing him rather than him seagulling. Keep I mind that out of the whol competition Akira is 10th in total carries, Equal 2nd in most clean breaks , 2nd in most defenders beaten and 7th in meters carried.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
His decision making was poor and even his kicking out of hand wasn't great. There were a couple of opportunities for a 50-22 that weren't latched onto as well (tbf this is an innovation that might take a season to "get" the potential for this ploy - perhaps have a chat with Marty Banks who seems to see the possibilities). His inability to change the pace and angles of the game by simply stepping back a pace or two to play a bit deeper was odd from an experienced 5/8. And his shoveling along poor ball to players not in a better position was sub-standard. To me BB is a shadow of his former self - which had real points of difference even if there were technical flaws.
WEST
Roar Guru
It’s actually the Boks who are on the lighter side compared to us. Especially having Joe Moody (188cm, 120kg) or Tyrel Lomax (192cm, 127kg) and Patrick Tuipulotu (198cm, 120kg). We just need to get more aggressive and clinical, hopefully our pack sorts it out this week :thumbup:
WEST
Roar Guru
It’s our forwards that need to get their Scheisse together! The starting guys are their to take the steam out of the Bokke pack. I actually think the bench is a good idea. Blackadder could be a nightmare on a tired SA pack, same goes for DMac also. I’m only assuming that Foster wants to shut the door completely in the final quarter. Add TJ experience in the second half could be a wise decision. But, it comes down to our starters making the Springboks work harder.. If we can get a try or two ahead, knock the wind out of them. Watch their moral drop rapidly
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Muzzo the problem is they had to make a decision 3 weeks ago. And who knew if BB or Dmac wernt going to get injured. Its a shame for Mounga that he had to do 2 weeks in lockdown but it is what it is. I think he will be fine but I think it would have been far better to leave him home for more time with his young Bub and partner. Cant change it now.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
One week ( game ) never measures class JP. You know that. What determines class is if others recognise your standout class above others. Mounga did play 10 v England afterall. Should he have been dropped and never selected again? I think not.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Staying out wide against the Bokke, is virtually giving them the game. That pack, they have, is something, as we saw when our boys were struggling against them last week. Even Brodie, looked as though he needed a run.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Riccardo, I'm pretty sure Havilii will improve with ALB there, as he's one of the missing links in the backline.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
He does Bluffboy, but obviously, it's the stupidity of Foster & his coaching staff.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep W_L, IMO, Fosters not half the coach that Razor is, & in agreeance that Akira does go missing, especially doing the hard yards. There was a bloke, in the Bokke team, last week, that was awesome, in all his work. A lot lighter than Akira, but very impressive....Kwagga Smith. We need someone that can contain him, better, & that's why Blackadder should be there, with Jacobson. That Bokke pack, in many ways did have it over us, & for Foster, as said, coming out, & saying he's tired, doesn't say much for his credibility as a coach.
Seligs
Roar Rookie
So, who decided to call this a Grand Slam? I assume it was New Zealand, seeing as they don't have the World Cup, so they wanted some recognition for winning all there games.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well evidently Foster didn't learn enough, as why is Blackadder on the bench, instead of starting with Jacobson? Honestly, he was our best forward on the pitch last weekend, & this happens? Last week Akira was pulled, as was his brother, who IMO, both under performed. Geeez they both played far better, & disciplined under ' Titch' in the Seven's program, where he demanded fitness, amongst others. Great to see ALB back, as both he & Havili work well together, & hopefully they will add more stability to the backline. I realise both teams are without some star players, & as I said prior to the last test, I'll say again, that the Bokke will be up for this one as well. I would've preferred will Jordan, on the wing with Reese, as they are both pretty good under the high ball. Then again, IMO, I'd go for TJ, over Weber, as he has more experience behind the Black pack, & he's far tougher than what Weber is. I'm really looking forward to the day, they select Fakatava, in the squad. Go the AB, but it'll be a tough one.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hey Jacko, Bro, I'm pretty sure Mo'unga, wouldn't be in the match day 23, through lack of training. IMO, that would be stupidity from the management. Are they that stupid? Well evidently so, if that's the case. Yep I agree as far as Quinn goes, as he has been impressive.
JS
Roar Rookie
Like last week? :laughing: Mate I know you've got a lot of love for BB, but you have to admit that really wasn't great last week. No variation at all. We can't persist with that if it goes the same way this week. At least we have Weber starting which should help.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
DDsmash you just admitted to having a Dave Dobbin poster on your ceiling. :laughing: You fan boy....
DDSmash
Guest
Jacko - when you write these posts are you staring at the DMAC poster on your ceiling?
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Hey Scrumma Yes it's absurd to have 4 world class hookers. Agree re Tupaea and bench :thumbup: