RugbyRebels

I'm a bit fired up about this one now. I've just watched a doco (quite good it was, too) about the 1996 first series win in SA. We are still a fair way off getting a winning record against the Springboks in South Africa (played 47, won 21, lost 25, drawn 1) and that five match shortfall is a big one - we've never won more than three in a row in the Republic.

Our record in Durban is particularly poor - played 8, lost 5, won 3. The only worse venues are Rustenburg (0 from 1) and Port Elizabeth (0 from 5).

Anyway, the team is out. Talking points include a start for Matt Todd, pushing A. Savea to the bench. Ardie is curiously joined by Liam Squire leaving no room for specialist lock cover, which seems a bit daft against SA. ALB deservedly gets a second start at centre alongside Crotty, bringing the mid-field roulette game to an end (for now, at least) with a combination that I'm wagering no one predicted before the season started, or even before the RC kicked off. Naholo finally gets back on the park giving J. Savea a complete rest, while Sopoaga and Moala cover the backs.

1. Joe Moody (18)
2. Dane Coles (44)
3. Owen Franks (85)
4. Brodie Retallick (55)
5. Samuel Whitelock (80)
6. Jerome Kaino (72)
7. Matt Todd (4)
8. Kieran Read - captain (92)
9. TJ Perenara (24)
10. Beauden Barrett (44)
11. Waisake Naholo (7)
12. Ryan Crotty (22)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (4)
14. Israel Dagg (56)
15. Ben Smith (56)

16. Codie Taylor (9)
17. Wyatt Crockett (53)
18. Charlie Faumuina (40)
19. Liam Squire (4)
20. Ardie Savea (7)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (22)
22. Lima Sopoaga (4)
23. George Moala (2)

Morne Steyn....

kick kick kick.

The stadium is just going off over there.

That went back, Jack.

Bad one Todd.

Garces is going have to keep a tight leash on this.

Nosferatu you beauty

Today we need our centres.

ABs looking a bit squiffy under all this pressure.

why did BH not try and stand him up?

controversial. Try ABs.

Howler by the TMO there.

All Blacks are maybe a bit to eager to pull the trigger without doing enough ground work. A few chances have gone begging.

On the other hand, the Boks seem determined to play this whole game from outside the All Blacks 22.

I hope there's more in the margin than one crap call from the TMO.


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SA giving away far to much cheap possession.

BB afterburners special...

ALB has shades of Kahui about him in a black shirt.

Fuck off. Beautiful.

Jim Carey off at 10 for the Boks.

Mullet offload beauty.

The Black machine......

More please.

Chur

That mullet is fucking chain.

Yes! Scored after full time.

Well. I've never seen a Springboks team give up like that. At home, too.

Who in their right mind would have thought that that game plan would succeed against the All Blacks? Its disappointing to see them play that way. Hopefully this is the wake up call they need.


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