Springboks v All Blacks: Predicted line-up as Scott Robertson looks to ‘reignite attack’ with backline changes
Scott Robertson could make several changes to his All Blacks side this weekend.
The All Blacks head to Cape Town on a revenge mission, but they have some major issues to fix if they want to secure their second win of the Rugby Championship.
Scott Robertson’s side held a healthy 10-point lead heading into the final 15 minutes, but yet let the game go. The bench failed to make an impact, but crucially they let their foot off the pedal in attack, which in turn allowed the Springboks to steal the win.
The manner of the loss should leave Robertson with plenty of food for thought, and he could ring in the changes to get his side back into the winning column.
Here is our best bet at a possible All Blacks starting XV.
15 Will Jordan
If not now, when? Whilst Will Jordan has exclusively been used on the wing for the All Blacks in his international career, 15 is a position he has excelled in for the Crusaders, and it would be a shame if he wasn’t deployed in this position at some point this Championship. He also slotted into the 15 role a couple of times against the Boks at Ellis Park, notably sending Caleb Clarke in for his second try. This could be the change the All Blacks need to make to reignite their attack.
14 Mark Tele’a
With Jordan moving to 15 in our team, we’ve called upon the services of Mark Tele’a to replace him on the wing. Tele’a is a player who loves to get his hands on the ball as much as he can, and will constantly go sniffing out work in the tight to do so. When given the ball in space too, his electric pace makes him a real handful for defenders.
13 Anton Lienert-Brown
Another one who gets promoted into the starting side is Anton Lienert-Brown. The centre was impressive in attack against Los Pumas, and could help get them going again. This might seem harsh on Rieko Ioane after his improved showing last time out, but it’s clear to see Robertson wants to use his 13 in a different way that doesn’t suit his strengths, and it could be time to explore another option.
12 Jordie Barrett
Keeping his spot from last weekend is Jordie Barrett, who seems to be clicking into the new systems well. His distribution skills, particularly to his centre partner, will be pivotal to the success of the attack. He is such a classy player when he gets going too.
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11 Caleb Clarke
Fresh from his brace last weekend, Caleb Clarke should keep his spot in the team. His finishing has really come on of late, notching three tries in two games so far this Championship, but importantly his work in the air makes their kicking game a genuine threat too. He really put the likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Aphelele Fassi under pressure at Ellis Park, and the All Blacks should look to use him in this way again.
10 Beauden Barrett
A big call, but we think Beauden Barrett could be back in the number 10 jersey this weekend. Barrett didn’t have his greatest game at Ellis Park, but his experience at fly-half could be crucial in getting the All Blacks attack going, and importantly he knows what it’s like in the pressure cooker at fly-half, so he should be able to ice the key moments.
9 TJ Perenara
TJ Perenara needs a big game this weekend. He should be more comfortable partnering Beauden Barrett though, with the pair playing together at both the Hurricanes and the All Blacks for years, and this should bring the best out of him. This will mean he can then read what Barrett wants from the attack and play off that, compared with McKenzie’s almost off-the-cuff style, and give more consistent ball out of the ruck.
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8 Ardie Savea
Do we need to explain this choice? Savea has been exceptional this Rugby Championship, and will once again start at 8. He is a really powerful carrier in the tight, which will be vital if they want to best the mighty Boks pack.
7 Sam Cane
Gave a good account of himself in the last Test, so should retain his spot in the squad. Cane got heavily involved in the defensive efforts at Ellis Park, and will need to do this again this weekend. He will also add heaps of experience and leadership, and will compliment the likes of Scott, Beauden Barrett and Savea too.
6 Ethan Blackadder
After such a physical display last time out, it’s hard to not see how Ethan Blackadder keeps his spot in the team. His carrying was so pivotal in getting the All Blacks on the front-foot early on, and he will once again need to step up in this area. Blackadder is also one of their main lineout options and will be needed again in this department.
5 Sam Darry
This one caused a lot of discussion at PR towers, but Sam Darry just edges out Tupou Vaa’i. Darry was very impressive in the opening two Tests against Los Pumas, just working really hard around the park, but he comes into this team because of his work in the lineout. This will be a key battleground this weekend, as both teams look to build a solid platform from it, and Darry is a better lineout operator than Vaa’i. He will look to sure up their own lineout, which continues to improve but will also pose some issues to the Springboks’ one too.
4 Scott Barrett
Leading the side out once again will be Scott Barrett. He was solid in the defeat to South Africa, just doing the hard graft for his side. He is also solid in the lineout, and should once again be their main option.
3 Tyrel Lomax
The scrum is one of the All Blacks’ most potent weapons at the moment, and he is a big part of it’s success. He was solid against Ox Nche last time out too, and this should be enough to keep his spot in the team.
2 Codie Taylor
Looked much improved in the last Test, and again should keep his shirt this weekend. Was a lot more accurate with his throwing, which in turn allowed the lineout to be a lot more stable, and added to the scrum too.
1 Tamaiti Williams
Rounding off the team is Tamaiti Williams. The loosehead has really added a new aggressive approach to the scrum, and had the better of Frans Malherbe for the most part last weekend. Another big performance and you would imagine the shirt is his for the foreseeable.
