Winging it: Hosea Gear
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New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made two changes to his run-on XV for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Soweto.
Having already clinched the title in the inaugural year of the expanded Southern Hemisphere championship, the All Blacks brought in lock Brodie Retallick and winger Hosea Gear for Luke Romano and Julian Savea.
Romano drops to the bench, while tryscoring left wing Savea is out of the 22 altogether.
On the bench, prop Ben Franks, loose forward Adam Thomson and outside back Tamati Ellison replace Charlie Faumuina, Sam Cane and Ben Smith.
The world champions have won 15 straight Tests and last lost in August last year against the Boks in South Africa.
"We are in no doubt how big the challenge is for the team this weekend but it is one we are looking forward to as it will be a real test of our resolve and character," said Hansen.
"South Africa are coming off a big win against Australia and will be playing in front of their home crowd at Soweto so it's going to be a huge Test match."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Date: Saturday , October 6
Venue: Soccer City, Soweto
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Greg Garner (England)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Comments
tha_mai says...
Savea - good player management, at 22 he could be round for years. Six tries in fives tests. 2010's IRB Young Player of the Year - don't expect too much too soon I think he has a good future
Sandal - at the same age Nonu had 4 tests (2 as a sub) - v Eng, Italy, Canada, Tonga - and 1 try. Not a valid comparison imo.
Posted 04:31 05th October 2012
bigb6969 says...
If NZ can win this game, and I certainly give South Africa a good chance of winning, we will take Lithuanian record easy, this Australia team is shot, and come on, Scotland and Italy will be walk over for NZ, every year we put out a B team against those two and win in a canter.
However we have to get over SA first.
Posted 04:23 05th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
This is going to be a great game! Ab's will need to work hard to limit the yardage Alberts and co make on the gain line! If we can protect that area the games half won . No disrespect but when Morne was playing I was always confident of an All black win if we were leading with 20 mins to go, as I felt (despite normally great goal kicking) he didn't have the Tools to chase a game down or let his backs loose like carter. But having Goosen at Fly half gives me the jitters as he has those stated qualities.SA definitely have the tools to beat us hence the high regard we in NZ hold for them as a passionate rugby nation! But I'm backing an AB win (8 points). Note In the last twenty years NZ have won more games In SA than the Boks!! Keep it up
Posted 02:28 05th October 2012
powerplay says...
hahah@passtheball..ill have to try some one day!
Posted 22:11 04th October 2012
paulynz says...
@ rugby_rockstar
Yes,this is the banana skin match. If the All Blacks can win this game and continue winning against Australia and Scotland they will play for the world record for consecutive test wins against Italy in November.
If they can complete this year unbeaten then the next record in their sights will be the unbeaten sequence of 23 matches set by the 1987-90 All Blacks. They could potentially take that record in the third test against France in June next year.
Lots of ifs and buts I know, and as many are now saying, the more wins you accumulate just brings you closer to your next loss.
Hope that comment is not the kiss of death for this weekend...
Posted 21:07 04th October 2012
paulynz says...
@ ManWarrior
It is a measure of this particular All Black team that you can play better than them (as in Dunedin) and still not beat them.
Posted 20:50 04th October 2012
leebok says...
why dont we all crack one out!!!!
Posted 20:09 04th October 2012
Carpelone says...
Sandal.
This is yet another example of smart player management by NZ's management team. Savea is a good prospect, but it is too early to launch him in such a big game. Gear will have deserved opportunity and it will be a win win situation. The way McCaw is used is another example. Injuries are minimised. So it was a compliment to New Zealand management team, far better than all the others.
Since I rate you from previous post as a gentleman and a very objective pundit, I am sure I will receive your apologies in the due course.
Posted 16:16 04th October 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
letsgoboks,
Well this NHem dude is admiring them too. And kinda wishing it wasn't JUST all about the cash up North.
Posted 16:08 04th October 2012
NHSaints says...
Gear is definitely a safe option, there's no lack of experience in the back 3 and Gear is stronger on taking kicks than Savea which will be vital with the boks usual kick and chase tactics, although it'll be hard to tell what the Goose will do...will he risk a more open game than in Meyer's gameplan or will he stick to the coaches advice? I hope that he'll try to get it out of his half with running.
Posted 15:47 04th October 2012
passtheball says...
Powerplay - Not sure about the winning steak coming to an end but I reckon those SA steak and pepper pies are tops.
Posted 14:59 04th October 2012
melkdave says...
Have to say its still a very strong team,and H.Gear deserves a run out imo,he is still a class playerand just maybe a better defender than Savea no bad thing whenyour facing B.Habana.B.Retallick also deserves more game time,after al he along with Ramano lok the future for the ABs atm.at lock.Hopefully going to be a cracking game .
Posted 14:41 04th October 2012
turboboy says...
I thought Lithuania had the record for most consecutive test rugby wins?
Posted 13:59 04th October 2012
ManWarrior says...
AB's are a class act and as I've mentioned before, they've been the bench mark of rugby in the professional era. It's gonna be a massive task BUT great expeience dethroaning them, especially considering one would have to play better than them to do that LOL!
May the test in Soweto be the start of a new Springbok era!
Go Bokke!!!
Posted 13:48 04th October 2012
sandal says...
@mkpunk
"Eventually" could be a long way off. Savea isn't the sharpest pencil in the box, and he still has a lot to learn. At a comparable age Nonu was much the better player, and even he still had plenty to learn.
Posted 13:32 04th October 2012
passtheball says...
Not sure about Savea at this stage @ 12 but Rene Ranger is an interesting prospect and his team up with Nonu for the blues will be watched with interest.
Posted 12:46 04th October 2012
Ulrich says...
@Euskadi "If I were the Boks my focus would be on disrupting and pressuring Aaron Smith. "
I agree, but I would therefore target the forwards and win that battle, doing so will go a long way to taking care of Aaron Smith.
Posted 12:14 04th October 2012
Ferdie says...
good rotations, some info from NZ news, Romano on the bench as has stitches in three parts of his face (Frankenstein!) though how an extra hour's recovery time will help? and Savea is "being taken out of the spotlight" Hansen: "We are very happy with how Julian is going and it's not a reflection on him, just the need for a young player to step out of the pressure"
No loss imo bring Gear in and good use of the squad - unsure - is Barrett the only one of the 30 who won't get any game-time in these 2 matches?
Posted 11:57 04th October 2012
letsgoboks says...
Top Team! Good decision on selections.
You simply have to admire these guys and what they have achieved. NH hemi must be pooping themselves.
Posted 11:54 04th October 2012
porridge_time says...
mkpunk...
Think there could be something in what your saying, because I also think that Savea has all the attributes to become a great inside centre.
Posted 11:51 04th October 2012