[2015 TRC] South Africa v New Zealand in Johannesburg (25/07/2015)

[Kiwi_]

I really do hate to say it, because I don't like the RC being used for trials, but, it really is about giving players opportunities, managing players playing time etc, for all of the RC sides in RWC year.

I'd expect C.Smith to start this week, because he's had a couple of weeks off now, and maybe Fekitoa start, with Nonu off the bench, for the same reasons. Maybe NMS could play some part too, if he's recovered from injury.

Some of those Hurricanes forwards should probably get a go too, and Messam should probably start at 6, to five them all a run.

Maybe they could start Vito at 8, with Read on the bench?

I like Vito a lot, he's come a long way the last few years, but he always struggles vs South Africa, they out muscle him from the game, he often goes missing in the big occasions as well and playing in South Africa is always a big occasion, especially Ellis Park.

I'd love to see Broadhurst get a start. This game would be excellent for him and we need his ball carrying abilities for this game.

Interested to see what happens at 14, maybe Slade with Barrett starting at 10 and Slade kicks. Or Ben at 14 and Dagg at 15, or Skudder or Piutau. So many options.

I can see Messam starting to, he's always excelled vs South Africa.

My impressions are Hansen doesn't want to experience TOO much and wants to keep the core of the team in tune, but trying a few different combinations here and there.

 

[TobesHodges]

The 31 man travelling squad to South Africa :-

Hookers: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu and Codie Taylor
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala and Tony Woodcock
Locks: James Broadhurst, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano and Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards: Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Kieran Read and Victor Vito
Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith
First fiveâ€"eighths: Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea and Ben Smith

 

[TRF_heineken]

So the latest rumours in the media is that Heinrich Brussouw could be a surprize inclusion in the matchday squad for Saturday.

Which makes me think that our loose trio will be 6. Brussouw 7. Schalk Burger 8. Warren Whiteley

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

While Brussow is 4/4 against NZ I still think Jaco Kriel would be our best option as he adds a carrying dimension to his pilfering that we've lost with all of Coetzee, Alberts and Vermeulen out. Brussow is a breakdown specialist it's true but with Louw, Bismarck and Burger also there to contribute we have that sorted IMO. Kriel was the form loose forward in the 2nd half of SR IMO and that's saying something with Ardie Savea also going strong. Kriel also has potential going forward for us so it might be a good idea to get him in earlier for the sake of continuity post 2015.

 

[TRF_heineken]

While Brussow is 4/4 against NZ I still think Jaco Kriel would be our best option as he adds a carrying dimension to his pilfering that we've lost with all of Coetzee, Alberts and Vermeulen out. Brussow is a breakdown specialist it's true but with Louw, Bismarck and Burger also there to contribute we have that sorted IMO. Kriel was the form loose forward in the 2nd half of SR IMO and that's saying something with Ardie Savea also going strong. Kriel also has potential going forward for us so it might be a good idea to get him in earlier for the sake of continuity post 2015.

Yeah, but it doesn't help we want our bread buttered on both sides.

There has been an outcry for the last 3 years to get Brussouw back in the squad, and now it seems like he will get his chance, and to be fair, he did play well in the Super Rugby.

Jaco didn't make the cut of 50 players, so there is a very slim chance that he will ever feature before the World Cup. Which is a pity, but to be fair, the flankers that has been selected ahead of him, are vastly experienced and has served our country well (Apart from Mohoje).

 

[SomeOke]

Apparently the probable team, based on training is:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Schalk Burger (captain), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

So no real surprises, the bench could be where changes are made.

edit: Ok so actually these 15 were all in the "probables" squad but also among that squad was Vincent Koch and Heinrich Brussow so either could be starting.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Apparently the probable team, based on training is:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Schalk Burger (captain), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

So no real surprises, the bench could be where changes are made.

edit: Ok so actually these 15 were all in the "probables" squad but also among that squad was Vincent Koch and Heinrich Brussow so either could be starting.

Really??

Because according to Sport24.co.za the possible team would look like this:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Heinrich Brussow, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyChampionship/Boks-set-to-pull-Brussow-surprise-20150721

 

[TRF_heineken]

Bok team has been announced! I have added it to the OP!

Brussouw at 6 and Flouw at 7 with Schalk at 8!!!

 

[NamWarrior]

What are the thoughts on Brussow's inclusion?

I haven't seen much of him recently to be honest but I've always been a fan.

I don't know what else Jaco Kriel has to do, he was the form SA openside in Super Rugby.

 

[TRF_heineken]

What are the thoughts on Brussow's inclusion?

I haven't seen much of him recently to be honest but I've always been a fan.

I don't know what else Jaco Kriel has to do, he was the form SA openside in Super Rugby.

Man I'm excited to see Brussouw back in the Bok team. And he has never lost against the All Blacks.

Yeah I feel sorry for Kriel, but to be fair, all the other flankers are already capped and Kriel isn't. And all of the current loose forwards in the group has performed well for both their club and country, so I can understand his exclusion based on that. And we all know that Kriel can't replace Kolisi or Mohoje...

 

[nickdnz]

Brussouw is up there in my mind as the most wasted international rugby player I have ever seen. I rated him as the best player of the ball I had ever seen in 2009 (McCaw and Pocock included), but injury and mind numbing selection policies have really stalled a what could have been an all time great career. Although as others have mentioned, being 4/4 against the All Blacks probably slants my view of the guy. With that in mind, I'm very excited that we can turn his winning margin against us to only 80%...

 

[TRF_heineken]

Brussouw is up there in my mind as the most wasted international rugby player I have ever seen. I rated him as the best player of the ball I had ever seen in 2009 (McCaw and Pocock included), but injury and mind numbing selection policies have really stalled a what could have been an all time great career. Although as others have mentioned, being 4/4 against the All Blacks probably slants my view of the guy. With that in mind, I'm very excited that we can turn his winning margin against us to only 80%...

I hope not! I'm trying to get my ratio up from being at the Match between these 2 sides up from 0% to 20%...

 

[Kiwi_]

Ruan Combrinck deserves a run out I felt. He's very versatile as well, no room for him?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Ruan Combrinck deserves a run out I felt. He's very versatile as well, no room for him?

not in his position, he's a bit pale to be a wing...

 

[Kiwi_]

not in his position, he's a bit pale to be a wing...

My impressions of JP is he's not good enough anymore. Surprised he's kept his spot. It feels more out of habit now or filling that quota as you're implying?

 

[TRF_heineken]

My impressions of JP is he's not good enough anymore. Surprised he's kept his spot. It feels more out of habit now or filling that quota as you're implying?

Well, Cornal Hendricks was injured, and is IMO the first choice for that position.

I think JP has been given these 3 games to show whether or not he still has it in him to perform at wing, as he has been mostly playing centre for the Sharks. To keep the politicians at bay, there will always be a black player selected at wing over a white player, as it is the one position where we have a lot of good black players, and I mean this in the most sincerest way possible.

 

[Kiwi_]

Well, Cornal Hendricks was injured, and is IMO the first choice for that position.

I think JP has been given these 3 games to show whether or not he still has it in him to perform at wing, as he has been mostly playing centre for the Sharks. To keep the politicians at bay, there will always be a black player selected at wing over a white player, as it is the one position where we have a lot of good black players, and I mean this in the most sincerest way possible.

Paulse and Williams come to mind. It's true, they're great runners.

 

[TobesHodges]

Well, Cornal Hendricks was injured, and is IMO the first choice for that position.

I think JP has been given these 3 games to show whether or not he still has it in him to perform at wing, as he has been mostly playing centre for the Sharks. To keep the politicians at bay, there will always be a black player selected at wing over a white player, as it is the one position where we have a lot of good black players, and I mean this in the most sincerest way possible.

I still don't know why you wouldn't have Jan Serfontain at 12 push kriel to 15 and le roux to JP's spot.. Jans young strong and a decent future with the boks..

Also think the back row should be either louw, jaco kriel, burger or louw, burger, Whitley the boks just need some dynamism in attack, this brussow talk won't give you that, it'll give you a decent breakdown specialist, but that's all..

I think we'll see nonu and smith in centres, hopefully with fekitoa coming off the bench.. Vito could start at 8, would be good..

Also my dark horse pick is playing Slade at 10 (was watching highlights of the best try's of the season and I didn't realise but he pretty much made all the crusader ones, fell under the radar a bit I feel)

 

[NamWarrior]

JP injured and replaced by Hendricks. Mapoe comes on to the bench

not a bad thing as long as Hendricks can improve his tackling on Savea

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

not in his position, he's a bit pale to be a wing...

It's a pity he hasn't played at 15 al year. He looked good at the back for me and the Bokke need depth at 15 even though the Lions obviously want him on the wing.

Paulse and Williams come to mind. It's true, they're great runners.

I have no issue with the color of any player if they are clearly there on merit.

Though JPP isn't a huge attacking threat I would feel quite confident with him there in a RWC knock out game. My next in line would actually be moving Lionel Mapoe back to wing. Just as defensively sound as JPP but is an actual attacking threat and also covers 13 like JPP would. I guess Meyer just wants some experience in the back line seeing as Reinach, Pollard, De Allende and Kriel don't have 10 caps between them.

We are doinf ourselves a disservice though if we aren't selecting our best players for any position. I don't feel this is the case with Combrinch though.