New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made only two changes to the side that clinched the Rugby Championship in Argentina last weekend, to face the Boks in the final round of matches this weekend.
By naming such a strong side, any thoughts of a dull dead-rubber match between the top 2 teams in world rugby have been eliminated. New Zealand are currently on a 15 test unbeaten streak and should they win this match in South Africa, they will in all likelihood break the world record 18 match streak, currently held by Lithuania.
There is one change in the forwards, with the rotation in the second row continuing in that Brodie Retallick will start and Luke Romano will be coming off the bench later in the match.
The only other change is at wing, where two try hero Julian Savea drops out of the match 22 altogether, making way for Hosea Gear. Savea scored twice against Argentina, and set up another with some great handling, and the move is a bit of a baffling one.
There are a few changes to the bench though, with Ben Franks returning to the wood in place of rookie Charlie Faumuina, Adam Thomson replacing Sam Cane and Tamati Ellison replacing Ben Smith in the 22 jersey.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Tamati Ellison
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Strong team this. The Boks will have to be on top form if they want to take this game.
Hosea Gear is a brilliant player so I think Hansen is just creating competition and hunger for the left wig position between him and Savea.
Same with Thomson, Vito and Cane for the loosie back-up spot and Smith and Ellison for the utility back spot. The players are also kept fresh.
@Pokkel (Comment 1) : What All Black team isn’t strong?
Carlos Spencer reckons we are gonna get slaughtered. Australia was extremely poor so our win means nothing and the AB’s will proof just how weak the Bok team currently is.
@JarsonX (Comment 4) : Saturday will tell. Spencer has obviously forgotten how we dominated the All Blacks up front on thier home turf. Some weak Bok team that is.
I did pick the Boks and Pumas to win on Superbru this weekend. But I kinda sucked at that this year.
@JarsonX (Comment 6) : I know what you mean I also picked the same and havent done too well. The boks havent lived up to the potential that was there.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 5) : Spencer is obviously basing it apon the Boks kicking away all their possession to the All Black’s back 3 like last time. It doesnt matter how strong up front we are…if we kick down the throats of the best runners in world rugby they will score tries against us.