Bulls v New Zealand - Teams and Prediction
PREVIEW: Dave Rennie’s All Blacks selection for their third match on tour in South Africa against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday has the feel of a second-string team, but the coach might just be on the hunt for answers as preparations intensify for the Springboks.
The selection certainly raises that question.
The Stormers and Bulls were comfortably the best-performing South African United Rugby Championship clubs last season and posed the biggest threat to the All Blacks. Yet Rennie has now selected what appears to be a second-string side against both of those teams.
For a number of the fringe players selected at Loftus, Saturday represents a final opportunity to put their hands up before Rennie settles on his plans for the Test series against the Springboks.
The Bulls received a huge boost on Friday with the release of Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar from the Springboks. Both will make an impact off the bench. They replace Jaundre Schoeman (16) and Mpilo Gumede (20) who were in the original line-up.
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The selection of Beauden Barrett at fullback is perhaps the most controversial decision. Barrett struggled in the No.10 jersey against the Stormers in a season that hasn’t seen the best of this Barrett.
His move to fullback comes on the same day that Rennie called up Richie Mo’unga as a replacement for the injured Billy Proctor.
While the selection has the feel of a second-string team, Rennie will still be looking for answers at Loftus as preparations intensify for the Springboks.
The All Blacks showed improvement against the Sharks, particularly in discipline and the aerial game, but the scrum remains a question mark.
They fronted up better in Durban, although that performance came with the caveat of the Sharks starting a tighthead prop at loosehead, having an underpowered back five and a replacement front row filled with U20 players.
The Bulls will also be without their first-choice front rowers, who are away with the Springboks. But starting loosehead Alu Tshakweni is no slouch, while Francois Klopper started all of the Bulls’ knockout matches ahead of Wilco Louw.
Simply, the Bulls’ forward pack is better equipped than the Sharks were on Tuesday.
All Black assistant coach Tana Umaga wants the All Blacks to play with greater speed, saying, “It’s no surprise how we want to play the game. We want to speed the game up,” he told the media in New Zealand.
“It’s very frustrating for us when teams are visibly trying to slow it down.”
Umaga questioned whether the All Blacks are currently producing the type of rugby their supporters want to see.
“What is this game that we want to put out to our public? Because we can hear the public telling us ‘we love the way you’re playing’,” he said.
“It’s great to see running rugby, yet I think we’re doing everything we can not to do it.”
He also pointed to the number of stoppages and interruptions in modern rugby.
“The number of stoppages in our game, the amount of people having a say on decisions.
“Look, our game’s a great game, when it’s played in the right spirit, and I think for what it was meant to be, how it should be played, I think there’s still a way for us to go in terms of getting aligned on that.”
Rennie backs his selection
Rennie, however, made it clear that he is well aware of the challenge posed by the Bulls and believes Saturday’s match is an important part of the All Blacks’ preparations.
“The Bulls have consistently been South Africa’s best franchise side, making the URC finals in four of the last five years. Loftus Versfeld is one of the most formidable rugby grounds in the world, so we are aware of the challenge in front of us and excited at what lies ahead,” Rennie said.
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“This is also our final hit-out before the first Test match against the Springboks, so it is an important game for us. There is healthy competition for Test spots so this is another opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.”
Old and new for Bulls
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann, meanwhile, stressed that his side will also be without several key players.
The Bulls’ Springbok contingent is unavailable, while Akker van der Merwe and Sebastian de Klerk are both injured.
“Barring the Springboks who aren’t available and Akker van der Merwe, who is injured, and Sebastian de Klerk, who’s injured, all the other names that are available will play,” Ackermann said.
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So, while Rennie’s selection may raise questions about the strength of the All Blacks side, the stakes are still significant for those selected.
For the fringe players, Loftus represents a final chance to make an impression. However, like Ackermann pointed out, since arriving in South Africa they have not been training at altitude much. This could count in the home sides’ favour in the last 20 minutes.
Players to watch:
For the Bulls: Curwin Bosch at flyhalf would surely have loved a duel with one of the great No.10s, Beauden Barrett, but that is not meant to be as the veteran All Black will run out with 15 on his back. In his first outing for the Bulls, the former schoolboy prodigy will be out to showcasing the skills he acquired while honing his trade in France. No doubt eyes will also be on the other newcomers like Thaakir Abrahams and Hanro Liebenberg. The leadership of Marcell Coetzee is going to be vital.
For New Zealand: The new loose forward trio of Peter Lakai, Anton Segner and Simon Parker will all have a point to prove while Beauden Barrett will have more time and space at fullback after his struggles against the Stormers. Th two wingers Josh Moorby and Leroy Carter can stake their claim on the highveld to claim a spot in the Test team next week.
Prediction:
@Rugby365: All Blacks by 20 points
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vortster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa
Date: Saturday, August 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT; 05.00 Sunday, August 16 NZST)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
