Henry: Boks to provide acid test
18 Aug 2011
Graham Henry says that the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be a proving ground for the inexperienced and fringe players hoping to force their way into the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.
The Springboks will be determined to snap a four-game losing streak when they host the All Blacks this Saturday. They will be strong favourites considering they’re playing at home and have their best players available. The fact that Henry has selected an All Blacks side comprising fringe players and as many as five players returning from injury should also help the Boks’ cause.
The All Blacks coach still harbours hopes of extending that winning streak, even though senior men like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are currently not with the squad. Henry is also hoping that the intensity and physicality of the Boks brings out the best in this All Blacks side, and prepares some of them for a tough World Cup.
He rubbished suggestions that the Boks will be underdogs this Saturday, ‘They’re the World Champions aren’t they?’ or that the All Blacks have come to South Africa with a complacent attitude. There are players in the visiting squad that have plenty to prove, and Henry intimated that the challenge doesn’t get any tougher than a Test against the Boks.
‘We wanted to put them in a situation where they had to play a [full-strength] Bok side,’ Henry said. ‘You can talk and talk about playing against the Boks, but until you go out there and actually experience it, you don’t know what it’s like. We want to see how certain players respond to that pressure, and whether they can then make good decisions.
‘There are quite a few players that haven’t played too many Tests. Our flyhalf [Colin Slade] and fullback [Israel Dagg] are two such players. This experience will be good for them, and how they handle the pressure will be key.’
Henry reiterated that it had always been the plan to use this Tri-Nations Test as an opportunity for those returning from injury and a few players on the fringe.
‘We had thoughts before the Fiji game about how we would manage the squad. We were always going to give certain players opportunities because it was crucial that they got experience before the World Cup. Guys like Slade and Piri Weepu needed the opportunities. There were also a few players returning from injury that deserved the chance to put their ability in front of the selectors.’
Peter de Villiers left 23 top players in South Africa when the Boks toured Australasia, and the team was duly thumped by the All Blacks. Henry has only left eight players in New Zealand, but it’s concerning to see how the rivalry between the Boks and All Blacks has been devalued by the selection of weakened teams.
The All Blacks coach doesn’t appear to take such criticism seriously, and maintains that the visitors have a dual objective for Saturday’s game.
‘You have to do what’s best for a rugby team. We have come here to play good football but we are also planning towards the World Cup,’ he said.
‘It’s the same with the Boks. They went a lot better last week and I’m sure they will be looking to improve. It will also be important that they pick up a win before the World Cup. They will want to go to that tournament with momentum.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Port Elizabeth
81 Comments
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18 Aug 2011, 12:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-50: I’m the only one on this site who speaks the true!!!!! LoL
18 Aug 2011, 12:58 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-51: hehehe ndiyacing ukuba u-ET uzakukuphikisa!
18 Aug 2011, 12:59 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-49:
“my friend played rugby at school… that “youre in the mix” speech is reserved for losers. hehehe”
Grow up pal… did your friend have 89 caps at only 28?
18 Aug 2011, 13:01 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-47: The Aussie B team cannot be compared to the Baby Blacks in PE, the ABs will bring a lot on saturday to the Boks. I cannot see how the Boks will be able to counter-act this tsunami, even if the Boks were to have forward dominance what will they do with the ball? Against the Aussies in the first 40 they were dominant but could not muscle out one try. The Boks don’t have the arsenal to compete.
18 Aug 2011, 13:03 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-52: Makheze ndimlindile….bring it!
18 Aug 2011, 13:13 pm
The last thing we need is another ExTrabollock….
even if it’s in the vernacular.
18 Aug 2011, 13:32 pm
When Graham Henry speaks listen with attention! There is an argument going in SA who to play at fly half in the world cup and it is clear that PdV has lost his way because of his on limitation understanding the game. A few brilliant Springboks where coached under his tenure into being mediocre.
Ruan Pienaar at fly half against the I&BL was almost a disaster. He simply could not make it and Morne Steyn step into the position and made it his own. At scrumhalf Ruan is about no. 6 behind Sarel Pretorius and the first choice scrumhalves of the 5 SA Super 15 teams.
PdV sent Morne with a severely under strength Springbok team to Australasia and who is the scrumhalf feeding Morne behind a losing pack?… Ruan… the very flyhalf who’s place he took against the I&BL. How must Morne and Pat Lambie perform with a losing pack and with Ruan at scrumhalf playing with no confidence?
Would Henry ever send Dan Carter with NZ no. 6 scrumhalf or a scrumhalf that did not even played for any New Zealand Super 15 team to play the Boks in SA? Never!! I would think.
18 Aug 2011, 13:40 pm
I believe history repeats itself. 2003 is the only world cup where the previous 12 months dominating team won the event. So reading anything into these TN results is premature for indicating WC success.
The bok acid test lies after the RWC pool stages. Make no mistake, if they get thru that with 4 W in the pool stages, improving with every match (remember that there are a few PI teams that will try rip their head off!) they will be a serious force to contend with. I still hold out hope. Having lived in NZ for 5 years, knowing what the weather can be like means that anything can happen on they day. Mr Henry and Co. the tru acid test will be the quarter and semis. 8 adjusted, aclimatised battle hardened teams will get into one another. This only occurs once every 4 years.
18 Aug 2011, 14:03 pm
@ bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz), you’re delusional if you think gits will be in the mix at WC, he’s omission is based on form from the past two years
18 Aug 2011, 14:11 pm
@ mpundulu(mpundulu), tsunami? Hehe you think Nz will have momentum? None of those backline players have played together and if they did it would have been for few minutes against fiji. If you take continuity, travel and fitness in account then Nz not looking that sharp.
18 Aug 2011, 14:17 pm
All blacks awesome team, always was and always will be but I think we as safas give them way too much respect, since 1998 we have won 19 games and Nz have won 19 games. Even stevens
18 Aug 2011, 14:25 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-61: Real “guru”, hey????
18 Aug 2011, 14:31 pm
@ Finfan(Finfan), your point?
18 Aug 2011, 14:43 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-61:
I live for these moments Guru.
Since 1998 SA and NZ have played 33 Test Matches.
NZ have won 22 .
8)
18 Aug 2011, 14:43 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-61:
Not sure where you get that from? 19 all? More like 22-11 according to Planet Rugby!
18 Aug 2011, 14:44 pm
@cane(cane)-64:
beat me to it cane!
18 Aug 2011, 14:48 pm
@chewed_mintie(chewed_mintie)-66:
Mere seconds in it,
it would seem Mintie.
Love the name BTW.
8)
18 Aug 2011, 14:54 pm
I was about to post a hold load of negative **** and thought on P’DiDDy and the pricks that selected him.. I have thankfully deleted the post, so tiring and not necessary..
Leks Go BOKS!!!! Make your country Proud this weekend!!! An emphatic win will restore some pride & dignity Lord help us we loose this game on the weekend, lord help my TV and anything near me in reach… My hands all ready bear the scars from last weekends game…
18 Aug 2011, 14:55 pm
Did I say 1998, I meant 1992 (pls let it be 1992)
18 Aug 2011, 15:00 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-69:
Gets worse mate, 31-13
@cane(cane)-67:
thanks…little inspiration from a cricket sledge I once heard
18 Aug 2011, 15:01 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-61:
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-69:
i dont think thats right at all.i have us at 13 wins to 29 for the ab’s and 1 draw.
thats since 1992.
18 Aug 2011, 15:06 pm
@chewed_mintie(chewed_mintie)-70:
yes, your right/ i just counted again and its 31 – 13 and 1 draw since 1992.
18 Aug 2011, 15:07 pm
Ffuckit where did I get that stat from, I’m outa here, going to eat some humble pie. (Look at my nick, it changed) hehe
18 Aug 2011, 15:11 pm
@chewed_mintie(chewed_mintie)-70:
no, i just did it again and i get 30 – 13
anyway its about that number.
18 Aug 2011, 15:14 pm
Hmmm humble pie, yum yum! Hehe
18 Aug 2011, 15:18 pm
@we have it on good authority that on september 11, a legend will rise…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-74:
Double checked…def 31-13 with 1 draw!
18 Aug 2011, 15:23 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-75:
humble pie sucks…when its 13 – 30 and 1 draw dammit…
18 Aug 2011, 15:31 pm
@chewed_mintie(chewed_mintie)-76:
yes your right, its 31 – 13 and 1 draw
18 Aug 2011, 15:37 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-75:
LOL,
18 Aug 2011, 19:28 pm
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu – captain
3. John Afoa
4. Sam Whitelock
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Adam Thomson
8. Liam Messam
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Colin Slade
11. Hosea Gear
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Richard Kahui
14. Isaia Toeava
15. Israel Dagg
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore
17. Ben Franks
18. Jarrad Hoeata
19. Victor Vito
20. Andy Ellis
21. Piri Weepu
22. Cory Jane
18 Aug 2011, 21:46 pm
NZ TAB currently paying $1.60 for an AB win, $2.25 for a Bok win.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the NZ TAB think the AB’s are odds on favourites. A lot of Kiwi’s vote on sentiment meaning there will be an irrational amount of money being bet on the AB’s vs the amount bet on the Boks. So the TAB has to offer lower odds on the AB’s in order to “balance their books”.
The Aussie TAB is offering $1.61 for the AB win and $2.20 for the Bok win, but there are several hundred thousand Kiwis living in Aus and they will be the main source of betting on this match in Aus, so again I doubt Centrebet think this is a true reflection of the AB’s chances.
Just MTCW.
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