Both sides contesting the opening game of the 2008 Tri Nations have been announced.
New Zealand
Rodney So’oialo takes over the captaincy in the absence of the injured Richie McCaw. So’oialo starts at number 7 with Jerome Kaino playing eigthman.
Chris Masoe was drafted back into the squad to cover McCaw, but doesn’t make the starting 22.
Powerful loose forward Sione Lauaki warms the bench.
Mils Muliaina reclaims the fullback position from Leon MacDonald.
Tony Woodcock returns at prop at the expense of Neemia Tialata who is on the bench.
The experience of Conrad Smith sees him start at outside centre ahead of Richard Kahui.
Despite injury fears, lock Ali Williams is announced in the team. “Ali is an experienced player and the limited preparation shouldn’t be an issue.We just need to get his ankle right first,†said Graham Henry. If he fails to recover fully, he will be replaced by the inexperienced Anthony Boric.
Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan’s drinking indiscretions have been swept under the carpet (fined $3000 and ordered to stop drinking as a condition of his employment) and he takes his place on the bench.
South Africa
Big Joe van Niekerk is a surprise selection at No 8. Kankowski is presumably still recovering from the knock he took against Italy, while Spies has been mediocre in the Bok jersey so far this year. Peter de Villiers explained the selection: “Joe came back into the Springboks camp after having a brilliant Super 14 and has showed to all of us that he means business. He earned his place here. Joe captained the South Africa Under-19 side, the Under-21 team and the Lions. If you look at the spine of this side, there is a great deal of decision making running down that spine.”
Luke Watson starts off the bench as loose forward cover.
Another surprise is the selection of Odwa Ndungane on the right wing.
Adrian Jacobs is retained at outside centre.
Conrad Jantjes starts at fullback with Monty on the bench.
Frans Steyn is on the bench.
Bolla Conradie warms the bench ahead of Ruan Pienaar.
Gurthro Steenkamp starts at prop.
South Africa is chasing a 14th consecutive victory since August 2007, which includes the successful unbeaten-run during the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup tournament in France.
The Springboks are slightly more experienced with a combined total of 546 caps in the starting line-up compared to the 411 caps of the All Blacks.
The Teams
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Team Statistics
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