RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, JULY 15th,2023 ALL BLACKS v SOUTH AFRICA
Rugby Championship: All Blacks v Springboks. Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. Kickoff: Saturday, 7.05pm.
The Rugby Championship is about to witness an extraordinary clash as the mighty All Blacks take on the formidable Springboks at the iconic Mt Smart Stadium. With anticipation reaching fever pitch, rugby fans are eager to witness this intense battle between two dominant teams.
Head coach Ian Foster has made strategic changes to the All Blacks lineup, including the crucial decision to don the No 10 jersey on playmaker Richie Mo’unga for this highly anticipated encounter. Mo’unga’s presence is expected to provide the team with a strategic edge against the Springboks, as he replaces Damian McKenzie, who delivered an outstanding performance against Argentina in Mendoza.
While Beauden Barrett continues to impress at fullback, his versatility allows him to cover the first five-eighth position. The bench spots are occupied by the dynamic halfback Finlay Christie, the talented midfielder Braydon Ennor, and the electrifying Caleb Clarke.
Maintaining Barrett in the No 15 jersey means that Crusaders fullback Will Jordan will once again showcase his skills on the right wing. After missing the opening Rugby Championship match in Argentina, Jordan joins forces with Barrett and Mark Telea, who replaces Caleb Clarke, to form a potent back three.
In the absence of veteran lock Sam Whitelock, who remains sidelined due to an Achilles injury, the All Blacks turn to the experienced duo of Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett in the second row. They will face the formidable South African locking combination of Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth. Retallick’s return to the starting lineup, after being rested last week, is set to inject further strength and resilience into the All Blacks’ forward pack.
This crucial clash against the Springboks presents an opportunity for several new faces to make their mark. Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Braydon Ennor, and Caleb Clarke are all eager to contribute their skills and demonstrate their worth from the reserves.
As the All Blacks gear up for this momentous encounter, head coach Ian Foster emphasizes the significance of facing South Africa, highlighting the respect and intense rivalry between the two nations. The match promises to be a battle of epic proportions, as both teams are determined to secure a decisive victory.
Meanwhile, the Springboks face a potential setback as their captain, Eben Etzebeth, deals with the loss of his father. Etzebeth’s availability for the Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks remains uncertain, with reports indicating that a final decision will be made by the player himself. In the event of Etzebeth’s absence, RG Snyman is expected to step up and fill the void in the second row alongside Lood de Jager.
With regular captain Siya Kolisi still recovering from a knee injury, the Springboks rely on the return of Eben Etzebeth, who brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. Coach Jacques Nienaber expresses his confidence in Etzebeth’s ability to guide the team in this crucial fixture, highlighting his 110 test caps and his familiarity with the playing group after spending over a week in New Zealand.
As we eagerly await this Rugby Championship clash, it’s important to recognize the significance of this encounter for both teams. With an intense battle expected on the field, the All Blacks and Springboks will leave no stone unturned in their quest for victory.
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Braydon Ennor, Caleb Clarke.
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff.
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Pieter Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.
PREDICTION.
Can the All Blacks get as much out of their bench as the Springboks?
The selections of Braydon Ennor and Caleb Clarke – and no Damian McKenzie – stand out, although they are only minor surprises in the sense that the All Blacks have been down this path before.
There also could be a high amount of backline shuffling if Mo’unga is replaced, either out of necessity or in a tactical switch.
In that case Beauden Barrett would go to No 10, Will Jordan would go to No 15, Mark Telea would go to No 14, and Caleb Clarke would go to No 11: four positional switches from the starting XV.
Of course, they would have all trained in these roles, but it’s still a fair bit of reorganisation in the middle of a white-hot test.
By contrast, you look at the Springboks’ bench, you can already see the like-for-like replacements: Duane Vermeulen will come on for Jasper Wiese after he has emptied the tank, Pieter-Steph du Toit for Franco Mostert, Grant Williams for Faf de Klerk and so on.
The only change that might require a positional shift would be if Manie Libbok comes on for Willie le Roux, and No 10 Damian Willemse goes back to fullback.
Blacks to win in a tight contest!!!
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