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South Africa: Who is Top Dog in Rugby?
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Business Day (Johannesburg)
4 July 2008
Posted to the web 4 July 2008
Zeena Isaacs
Johannesburg
THE Springboks and All Blacks will know in Wellington tomorrow which of the two rugby superpowers has the best team in the world.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has said often that the Boks could not be considered the true world champions until they have beaten New Zealand and, ironically, the No1 spot on the world rankings will be up for grabs tomorrow. A win for New Zealand would displace SA as the top team in the world.
While De Villiers will hope to end a 10-year winning drought in New Zealand, a win for the home team would earn embattled All Blacks coach Graham Henry breathing space after a shocking World Cup, which resulted in calls for his head.
The Boks have their best chance in years to beat New Zealand at home.
The hosts are weakened by the exodus of several key players to the northern hemisphere and injury to inspirational captain and flank Richie McCaw. Experienced lock Ali Williams may also be out with an ankle injury, which would also favour the Boks.
However, the Springboks' Achilles heel could be midfield, where De Villiers has opted to play the 87kg Adrian Jacobs with Jean de Villiers.
Jacobs has the task of stopping midfield giant Ma'a Nonu, who weighs in at a heavy 104kg.
Another concern is how flyhalf Butch James and captain John Smit, at hooker, adapt to the experimental law variations they will be exposed to for the first time tomorrow.
A confident Smit said his team was ready to change its fortunes in New Zealand: "There have been times when we had close games and were pipped at the death," said Smit. "It's not easy to get a Test win here. We are aware of the challenges, but we're motivated to turn the tide."
New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith said forward domination was key to extending their impressive home record.
"To beat the Boks you must compete well up front. They are not a team you can lose the forward battle to and beat. They tend to smother you," he said.
SA: Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Bolla Conradie, Francois Steyn, Percy Montgomery
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New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo (capt), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.
A quota side against the All Blacks the havn't got a chance
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