All Blacks predicted team v Springboks: Scott Robertson forced to make changes but ‘elite’ forward bolsters stocks
All Blacks Tyrel Lomax, Finlay Christie and head coach Scott Robertson.
After a deflating defeat at the hands of Argentina in Buenos Aires, the All Blacks return to Rugby Championship action against South Africa at Eden Park next Saturday.
While some would expect a knee-jerk reaction in terms of selection following that loss, we expect head coach Scott Robertson to largely keep the faith with his troops.
We are expecting three alterations to the XV that started last time out, with a couple of fresh faces on the bench and one being a crucial cog in this All Blacks machine.
15 Will Jordan
Should keep the jersey in his favoured position as Robertson backs his star over the likes of Ruben Love and possibly Damian McKenzie. Either player’s inclusion would have seen Jordan shift to wing, but we feel he will be retained at number 1,5 where he will be vital to the hosts’ attack and be keen to end his two-game scoring drought.
14 Sevu Reece
Under pressure after last week’s performance with Emoni Narawa being a solid option to call on if Robertson fancied a change. However, Reece is likely to be retained for a massive clash with the Springboks. He will be eager to put last week’s off night to bed and offer plenty around the fringes and out wide when New Zealand get a sniff.
13 Billy Proctor
He is starting to settle into the outside centre position, and a try-scoring outing last time out formed part of an overall solid contribution. Done enough to start again.
12 Jordie Barrett
Probably came off second best to Santiago Chocobares in Round Two, which there is no shame as he was outstanding. Jordie has more than enough credit in the bank at 12.
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11 Rieko Ioane
One of the hotly debated jerseys up for grabs in our discussion, especially with Caleb Clarke working his way back, but it was decided that Ioane will be given another shot in the 11 shirt next week. He simply must improve, though, as he was largely anonymous versus Argentina, and we wonder how much longer Robertson will keep the faith.
10 Beauden Barrett
It is clear now who the number one fly-half is in Robertson’s eyes, and it is easy to see why. Beauden looks incredibly assured at the moment and takes the reins again.
9 Finlay Christie
Simply has to be rewarded for his efforts in Argentina after coming on for the injured Cortez Ratima. An injury cloud lingers over the latter, while it would be some call to throw the returning Cam Roigard in from the off, so we expect the experienced Christie to get the nod and deservedly so.
The forwards
8 Simon Parker
Another rewarded due to form, powerhouse Parker had an impressive bow in Buenos Aires, and we predict he’ll retain the shirt for this titanic Rugby Championship clash.
7 Ardie Savea
That means Savea remains on the openside in what many believe is his best position – particularly after he starred there in the recent Super Rugby Pacific season. The All Blacks need one of his customary all-action performances if they are to avoid a record-ending loss at Eden Park. No doubt Savea will be better than last time out.
6 Tupou Vaa’i
Unlucky to be sin-binned against Argentina, as we felt he made a genuine attempt to close off and tackle Pablo Matera. He has definitely done enough in the tournament thus far to keep the six shirt. Vaa’i is such a handful and will need to be at Eden Park for the full 80 minutes if the All Blacks are to bounce back against the Boks.
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5 Fabian Holland
Has looked an accomplished international lock ever since pulling on the black jersey, and there’s nothing to suggest he won’t be retained. At 22, he has a bright future.
4 Scott Barrett
He has copped some criticism after that defeat to Argentina, notably from pundit Mark Watson, who questioned his position as skipper. However, we feel that is unwarranted as Barrett emptied the tank in the opening rounds and surely can’t be singled out for how the whole team was outplayed in Round Two. He starts and leads once more.
3 Tyrel Lomax
One of the game’s elite tighthead props is set to return to action following injury, and it’s likely he’ll go straight in from the off to avoid a problem later in the match, by that we mean if he has an issue after coming off the bench. Lomax starting with the tough Newell adding solidity later on, is positive news for New Zealand.
2 Codie Taylor
He was unable to celebrate his 100th cap with a victory in Buenos Aires, but didn’t do anything to risk losing his spot. His set-piece solidity and mobility will be key.
1 Tamaiti Williams
Our third and final change to the line-up comes at loosehead, where we think Williams will get the nod from the off. He made his return to action off the bench against Los Pumas last time out, and having him set a platform versus the Boks might be the way to go next Saturday. A hulking youngster with oodles of potential at Test level. The fact that he signed a four-year contract extension with NZ Rugby shows just how highly thought of he is in Aotearoa.
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ethan De Groot, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie
Those tweaks to the front-row mean that Ethan De Groot and Newell move to bench duty, where they will be flanked by hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho. Then it is as you were for lock and back-row back-up as Josh Lord and Wallace Sititi continue in jerseys 19 and 20, the latter will be vital in bringing that extra bite in the second half.
If fit, then we could witness the return of the special talent that is Roigard at scrum-half, while the returning Anton Lienert-Brown should join McKenzie on the bench.
