The squad features an interchange of several starting XV and bench roles from last week. In the forwards, hooker Andrew Hore gets a start in the number two jersey with Keven Mealamu on the bench; Samuel Whitelock swaps with Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam starts ahead of Victor Vito.
In the backs, halfback Piri Weepu gets his first start of the year, with Aaron Smith on the bench; while Tamati Ellison comes onto the bench replacing Ben Smith.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “We are all looking forward to the challenge that the Springboks will bring this weekend. They are an opponent that we have immense respect for, they are our traditional foe and there is great history between our two countries. It’s going to be a huge Test match. It is also the first All Blacks Test in Dunedin’s indoor stadium, which is exciting for the team.”
“At the halfway stage of the new Investec Rugby Championship we are very happy, from a results point of view. There is a second challenge we have set ourselves – to constantly improve our game – and in that regard we are not the finished product. However, the coaching staff and team leaders are reasonably happy with the progress we are making and Saturday gives us another opportunity to confront both challenges – our opponent and ourselves,” Hansen added.
Interesting facts
• The All Blacks have played the Springboks in 83 Tests since 1921, with 46 victories to the All Blacks, 34 to South Africa and three draws. The very first Test between the two sides was played at Carisbrook on 13 August 1921, with the All Blacks winning 13-5.
• The last Test between the two sides was in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in August last year, with South Africa winning 18-5. The last match in New Zealand was earlier that year in Wellington with the All Blacks winning 40-7.
• Ma’a Nonu plays his 70th Test this weekend while his good mate Conrad Smith will pull on the black jersey in his 60th Test. The midfielders will play a record 36th Test together.
• Meanwhile, Conrad Smith has been on the winning Test side 53 times in his 59 Tests for a remarkable 89.8 percent success rate. Captain Richie McCaw has played in 109 Test matches for 97 victories for an 88.9 percent success rate.
• The All Blacks most capped prop, Tony Woodcock, joins teammate Dan Carter on 89 Test caps this weekend making them the joint fifth most capped All Blacks of all time.
• When Cory Jane scored his 11th Test match try last week, he brought up 2000 points scored by the All Blacks in Tri Nations / Rugby Championship Test matches.
• McCaw will play in his 43rd Tri Nations / Rugby Championship game this weekend, equalling the New Zealand record held by former teammate Mils Muliaina and five short of former Wallaby George Gregan’s 48.
The team is as follows: (with Test caps in brackets)
Starting XV:
1. Tony Woodcock (88)
2. Andrew Hore (68)
3. Owen Franks (37)
4. Luke Romano (4)
5. Samuel Whitelock (31)
6. Liam Messam (13)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (109)
8. Kieran Read (41)
9. Piri Weepu (62)
10. Aaron Cruden (13)
11. Julian Savea (3)
12. Ma’a Nonu (69)
13. Conrad Smith (59)
14. Cory Jane (34)
15. Israel Dagg (18)
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (96)
17. Charlie Faumuina (1)
18. Brodie Retallick (6)
19. Victor Vito (15)
20. Aaron Smith (6)
21. Beauden Barrett (2)
22. Tamati Ellison (2)
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September 13th, 2012 at 1:08 am
Arogant or not really scared of this bok team?
Hope the boks do it but I think it is going to be a hard one for our boys
September 13th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
“The All Blacks have played the Springboks in 83 Tests since 1921, with 46 victories to the All Blacks, 34 to South Africa and three draws.”
This is really the key metric.
I think SA has the horses ( especially with The Goose in tow ) to close this gap over the next several years provided proper sheparding by HM and crew.
If that does not seem to be the case in 2013 I will be tootin the horn of Brendan Venter for that role – but till then I think HM still gets the benefit of the doubt to gather his sea-legs and become less “uptight”.
Can you imagine the extra grudge match intensity as this series approaches numerical parity? Way more interesting in my opinion than the World Cup sham that happens every 4 years.
Off Topic Note:
Perhaps the comment section could one day allow for a star rating system? After reading the doozy above I thought to myself “ohhh that’s a 5 star”. I am sure you all agree – if for no other reason than that I did not mention Messerschmitt-Willie LeRoux – once….oops.
September 13th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Yeah I’m advocating for a “LIKE” function like Facebook.
September 13th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Reply to Americano @ 12:26 pm:
How about something more relevant to our time?
“The All Blacks have played the Springboks in New Zealand in 21 Tests since 1994, with 17 victories to the All Blacks, 3 to South Africa and one draw. Total points difference 231, or a little over 10 points per match, in favour of New Zealand.”
September 14th, 2012 at 5:47 am
We are fucked. Simple. How can a country with less people than we have as players drill us so often? They constantly innovate and make us look well amatuer.
I have always looked forward to these games with weeks of anticipation. This will be the first Bok/AB game I will miss since ever.
Predictable lame ass crash ball give away possesion conservative, did I say predictable, crap. I dont mind losing, it happens, but I hate losing when we are so poor. The Aussies gave us the fist the kiwi are going to give us the whole arm.
Stranger things have happened and one part of me says we could win, then logic kicks in.
I still cannot see any difference in play since Jake White.
Can some one point out the differences please???
September 14th, 2012 at 8:14 am
C’mon Kevin Rack. Get a hold of yourself.
Why wouldn’t you watch the game? Yeah it may play out in accordance with your most negative hunches but there is a reason they play it in real life.
Let me provide two reasons to watch even if you believe there is no hope for a win:
1) Two words…..The Goose
2) The Coach box cam showing HM ( is there any chance he will smash a walkie talkie or water bottle tonight?)
September 14th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Reply to Americano @ 8:14 am: You right who am I kidding, no matter my girlfriends birthday party I shall watch. Its only the depth that varies to be honest.
The Goose, Lambie, JDJ then on then its party time. Goose already showed last week he will attack.
September 14th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Reply to Kevin Rack @ 5:47 am: Lol Kevin “How can a country with less people than we have as players drill us so often? ” I don’t think 4.5 million people play rugby in SA but we get your drift. The answer to your question is evident on any given rugby Saturday in NZ,its the professionalism and dedication the kiwi players and coaches show from the AB’s down to the junior sides.
September 15th, 2012 at 6:34 am
Reply to out wide @ 9:54 pm:
Also the whole country gets behind their team. none of this north/south provincilism like in SA. The NZRU actually facilitates their team’s path to winning, the news media all step up (and of course belittle their opponents), and everybody is excited because they know that they are going to give the Boks a klap.
The AB’s are confident and I would not be surprised to see them put on 50 against us.
September 15th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Reply to mawm-the-ever-hopeful-shark @ 6:34 am: Yep, there is real hard north v south and a whole lot of anybody but Auckland stuff at ITM level but once the guys put on the black jersey nobody worries about which province they are from. You are right, everybody in NZ gets behind the AB side.