New Zealand’s rugby team have made four revisions to their starting line-up for the forthcoming Rugby Championship match against South Africa, which will take place on Saturday. Experienced players Beauden Barrett, the fullback, and TJ Perenara, the scrumhalf, have been moved to substitute positions, with Caleb Clarke and Ethan Blackadder unable to play due to injuries.
The decision to move Barrett and Perenara to substitute positions was made by Coach Scott Robertson after the team’s novel 31-27 defeat to the Springboks barely a week ago when they lost a 10-point lead within the final 12 minutes. Robertson said it was a tough decision given that both players are dedicated and committed team players but explained that the All Blacks jersey is significant to all players, inferring that all players understand the importance of the changes being made.
The prior match in Johannesburg saw strong performances from flanker Blackadder (hamstring) and winger Clarke (back), who managed to score two tries each. They will, however, be unable to partake in the Cape Town match due to minor injuries.
The rearrangements in the line-up will see Will Jordan move to fullback, while Mark Tele’a is brought on the left wing and Sevu Reece occupies the right. Perenara’s position at scrumhalf will be taken over by Cortez Ratima, he receives his second start for the All Blacks. The blindside of the scrum will now have debutant Wallace Sititi playing in place of Blackadder.
Robertson praised Will Jordan’s training performances, indicating that it’s an opportune time for him to play as a fullback. He also highlighted the team’s fortune in having a world-class wing, Sevu. He further pointed out that both Sevu and Will have plenty of shared rugby experience.
The New Zealand coaching team have chosen Luke Jacobson as a substitute over Samipeni Finau in their latest game, maintaining their 5-3 balance of forwards and backs among the extras. Conversely, the South African team has undergone seven alterations to their starting team. These changes include Handrè Pollard reprising his role as outhalf, while Willie le Roux joins the team as fullback.
Siya Kolisi, the team’s skipper, was also called upon by coach Rassie Erasmus after the player recovered from his facial injury which he acquired in their narrow 31-27 triumph against the All Blacks in Johannesburg the previous week. However, he is fit to participate now.
Accompanying Le Roux in the back three will be wings Canan Moodie and Cheslin Kolbe, as Kurt-Lee Arendse is ruled out due to concussion. The centre pairing consists of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, while Pollard steps in for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who is now benched.
Erasmus has chosen Grant Williams to commence as scrumhalf with Jaden Hendrikse as his substitute, also keeping a unique 5-3 distribution of forwards and backs.
Jasper Wiese continues as number eight, together with Pieter-Steph du Toit, who resumes his position at the flank, having previously acted as lock the prior weekend, and Kolisi.
Erasmus praised the value Kolisi brings to their side both as an exceptional player and leader, particularly during times of pressure. He mentioned that similar to their decision with Eben [Etzebeth] the past week, their team policy allows players who trained on Monday and had a pain-free week of training to be selected for the weekend’s game.
Pointing to the challenging game ahead, Erasmus declared, “This game is huge”. They are preparing to face ruthless competition from New Zealand, who are expected to fight back fiercely after their previous loss.
The South African lineup includes Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese.
The text presents the replacements for two rugby teams. For the first side, the replacements are Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Jaden Hendrikse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Lukhanyo Am.
For New Zealand, the replacements consist of Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Beauden Barrett.
Main players for the New Zealand Rugby team incorporate Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (capt), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, and Ardie Savea.
The source of this data is Thomson Reuters, copyright 2024.