New Zealand have announced a strong side to play South Africa on Saturday 23 June 2007 at the ABSA Stadium in Durban:
The New Zealand side and their likely Springbok opponents:Â
01. Tony Woodcock – (Os Du Randt)
02. Anton Oliver – (Gary Botha)
03. Carl Hayman – (BJ Botha)
04. Troy Flavell – (Bakkies Botha)
05. Greg Rawlinson – (Victor Matfield (Captain))
06. Jerry Collins – (Schalk Burger)
07. Richie McCaw (Captain) – (Danie Rossouw\AJ Venter)
08. Rodney So’oialo – (Pierre Spies\Bob Skinstad)
09. Byron Kelleher – (Ruan Pienaar)
10. Dan Carter – (Butch James)
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu – (Ashwin Willemse)
12. Aaron Mauger – (Jean De Villiers)
13. Isaia Toeava – (Jaque Fourie)
14. Joe Rokocoko – (JP Pietersen)
15. Mils Muliaina – (Percy Montgomery)
The Replacements:
16. Keven Mealamu – (Bismarck Du Plessis)
17. Neemia Tialata – (CJ van der Linde)
18. Ross Filipo – (Johann Muller)
19. Chris Masoe – (Pierre Spies\Bob Skinstad)
20. Piri Weepu – (Michael Claassens)
21. Luke McAlister – (Wynand Olivier)
22. Leon McDonald – (Frans Steyn)
Unavailable through injury: Jason Eaton, Ali Williams, James Ryan (John Smit, Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp)
Anton Oliver starts
Don;t know why myself, but for some reason this Tri Nations has got more meaning than in the past?… It feels more important than a world cup… Almost classical test rugby! BeeeUTIFUL stuff!