All Blacks unchanged for Springboks clash
August 13, 2008 - 10:53am
Story by: ARU
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry has today named his squad to play South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have settled on an unchanged starting XV from the team that defeated the Qantas Wallabies, 39-10, a fortnight ago in Auckland.
Auckland Blues utility back Isaia Toeava is the only addition to the reserves bench, replacing Blues team mate Anthony Tuitavake.
With the 2008 Tri Nations widely touted as being the most competitive for a decade, the All Blacks will be eager to avenge their shock 30-28 loss to the Springboks at Carisbrook earlier in the tournament, at Newlands.
South Africa, who play their final three matches at home, know a victory against the All Blacks would put them in pole position to claim their first Tri Nations crown since 2004.
Meanwhile, a win for New Zealand would give them the opportunity to claim both the Bledisloe and Tri Nations trophies in their final fixture against the Wallabies in Brisbane in September.
Henry believes that facing the world champions at home is currently the toughest job in Rugby.
“Playing the Springboks in South Africa might be the biggest challenge in world rugby at the moment”, said Henry.
Rugby fans can watch all of Saturday’s action and drama unfold from 10:45pm (AEST) on Fox Sports 1.
All Blacks team to play South Africa
Newlands, Cape Town
Saturday 16 August
Kick off: 3:00pm (11pm AEST)
15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Richard Kahui, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Rodney So’oialo, 7. Richie McCaw, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Ali Williams, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Greg Somerville, 2. Andrew Hore, 1. Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. John Afoa, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Adam Thomson, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Isaia Toeava.
