All Blacks do double take on Boks
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen will have some big selection decisions to make this week, as his team prepares to take on South Africa.
Having rested the bulk of the All Blacks who featured in the all-New Zealand Super Rugby Final – between the Hurricanes and Highlanders – in the first two Tests of the year, he has to decide how many of them will now be unleashed on the Springboks.
Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Victor Vito and James Broadhurst are all keen to get a run against Springboks in their Rugby Championship outing a Ellis Park on Saturday.
Probably the most interesting selection would be what combination he chooses to oppose South Africa's exciting new midfield pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende.
All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster, addressing a media briefing ahead of Saturday's big Test, admitted that having had two teams in the Super Rugby Final do provide some challenges.
"The last two weeks we've had guys coming and going," Foster said at the team hotel in Johannesburg.
Asked about the additional resources, he said it is a question of whether they are ready, having had an additional week off.
"We saw a big difference in terms of cohesion from [the pre-season game against] Samoa to [the Rugby Championship Test against] Argentina," Foster said.
"This week it is important that we get the group that didn't play against Argentina up to speed as quickly as possible."
The All Black assistant was happy with the additional midfield resources and options now at their disposal – which allowed them to leave star playmaker Sonny Bill Williams at home.
"Apart from Conrad Smith there is Malakai [Fekitoa] and Ryan Crotty, we have some contrasting players," he said, adding: "We had Sonny [Bill Williams] and Ma'a [Nonu] who played against Argentina. This week will be different with Sonny not here."
He said the key for veteran midfielder Conrad Smith is to "freshen" him up ahead of he World Cup.
And he felt they have more than enough resources should Smith require another week of rest.
"We like the balance and contrast Malakai gives us as a ball carrier that can pass," Foster said.
"We are juggling them up and having a good look at the South Africans.
"They had a new midfield last week, so we are assessing that to see what we should offer up."
Foster also spoke of the "plusses and minus" of running a squad of 41, but felt that terms of in the big, World Cup, picture it is working out just beautifully.
"It has given us a chance to expose everyone to how we do things."
Flyhalf could be another interesting selection poser – with Dan Carter also left back in New Zealand.
The choice is between Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga.
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com
