Rugby Test Match: Crucial Tri Nations Game for New Zealand

12.09.2009
New Zealand v South Africa in Hamilton (Tri Nations)

Venue: Waikato Stadium

Preview
The Tri Nations equation-New Zealand must win this game against South Africa and the next, and win one with a bonus point, and not allow South Africa any bonus point in this match, to have any chance of taking the Tri Nations. Lose today and it will be all over for New Zealand.

South African coach Peter de Villiers is in hot water again after making some forgettable comments whilst based in Hamilton. To say there is a little feeling across the Tasman is an under statement! Perhaps this is how the coach motivates his charges. The South Africans will need some charging after their forgettable performance against Australia in Brisbane last weekend.

South Africa need to score four tries like this to shut All Blacks out of Tri Nations

From captain Smit being hoisted all over the set scrums to a general lack of urgency, the Springbox will need to lift their game considerably if they are to defeat a freshened All Black side.

New Zealand are missing a few key players. To cover injury they have moved Stephen Donald to second five-eight outside mystro Daniel Carter. Despite this the backline boasts more test caps than any previous backline. The constant change in backline combinations over the past year is not helping fluidity. The All Black forwards are raring to go but they could well meet a motivated pack South Africa pack that has, up to last Saturday, swept all before it.

Richie McCaw will need to lead the All Blacks to a convincing win. Image thanks to http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/

Last Five Encounters
01.08.2009 South Africa 31-19 in Durban (Tri Nations)
25.07.2009 South Africa 28-19 in Bloemfontein (Tri Nations)
16.08.2008 New Zealand 19-0 in Capetown (Tri Nations)
12.07.2008 South Africa 30-28 in Dunedin (Tri Nations)
05.07.2008 New Zealand 19-8 in Wellington (Tri Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-South Africa 1st, New Zealand 2nd

Prediction: New Zealand by 2-No bonus points, so it will come down to NZ v Aussie next weekend.

Teams

New Zealand
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Josevata Rokocoko, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Rodney So'oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Isaia Toeava, 22 Cory Jane.
Head Coach: Graham Henry

South Africa
15 Frans Steyn, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Ruan Pienaar.
Head Coach: Peter De Villiers