All Blacks make five changes for Springboks

Article Published: Wednesday 11 September 2013
Edited by: Rugbyweek.com.
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All Blacks make five changes for Springboks

All Black coach Steve Hansen has made five changes in total to the team that beat Argentina for this week's Rugby Championship clash against South Africa's Springboks at Eden Park in Auckland.

Regular captain Richie McCaw misses the match due to a knee injury and his place has been taken by Sam Cane on the openside flank in only his ninth test match, while Liam Messam will replace Steven Luatua on the blindside as the New Zealand selectors attempt to compensate for the loss of McCaw's experience and physicality.

The remaining backrower, Kieran Read, has been given the captaincy in the absence of McCaw, who sustained medial ligament damage during last weekend's 28-13 win over Argentina.

Apart from the changes to the backrow, tighthead prop Owen Franks and inside center Ma'a Nonu return from injuries while Dane Coles will start at hooker in his ninth test, replacing Andrew Hore.

Luatua, who has been in outstanding form in recent matches, has been named on the bench, along with one-test All Black Matt Todd who provides openside cover.

Hooker Keven Mealamu is likely to play his 106th test off the bench.

Cane, who will give away more than 10 kilograms to his Springboks opponent, has a less physical style than McCaw, though he was one of the leading tacklers in Super Rugby this season.

His selection caused the All Blacks selectors to promote Messam into the starting lineup on his return from injury because he brings the physical style New Zealand may need to combat the giant Springboks backrow.

New Zealand and South Africa are unbeaten after three rounds of the Championships and the outcome of Saturday's match might have a strong influence on the outcome of the tournament.

The Springboks haven't won in New Zealand since 2009 and haven't beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1937.

New Zealand are unbeaten in all tests at the Auckland stadium - venue of the 2011 World Cup final - since 1994.

The South Africans are seen to have a strong chance of ending that winning streak after their commanding 38-12 win over Australia last weekend which gave them their first win in Brisbane since 1971.

Their earlier wins over Argentina, by 73-13 and 22-17, prolonged a winning streak which now stretches to nine tests while the All Blacks are unbeaten in all six tests this season, including two against Australia and one against Argentina.

South Africa named an unchanged team for the match, which is one of the most anticipated in New Zealand since the World Cup.

"The test match is shaping up to be a massive occasion with the two top-ranked sides in the world coming together for what will be a special night for both teams," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"Both teams are in good form and will bring their respective strengths to the contest."

Hansen said the match would give the All Blacks a clear indication of the level their game is at.

"The physical challenge will be huge, as it always is, and the team that executes their game with the greatest effectiveness, clarity and intensity will be the one that comes out on top," he said.

Hansen said the selectors had to carefully consider their lineup for the match and their best means of coping with the loss of the 119 test veteran McCaw.

"There were some tough decisions to be made, none more so than between Liam and Steven," he said.

"But in the end we have gone for Liam's extra experience and physicality and we also know that Steven will enter the contest at some stage."

New Zealand

Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Matt Todd, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau.

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