JK juggles & Rennie rings changes
7 Mar 2013
The Chiefs and Blues both have a new look for their matches against South African opposition.
The in-form New Zealand teams have only played against New Zealand opposition and Blues coach John Kirwarn has made four changes to his pack for the visit of the Bulls to Eden Park on Sunday. There are six changes to the starting XV that hammered the Crusaders 34-15.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, who has cut off all Chiefs contact with the Cape supportes and media by not having one press conference or open training session, has made five changes to his starting XV that whipped the Cheetahs 45-3.
Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Peter Saili, Waisake Naholo, Baden Kerr, Piri Weepu, Steve Luatua, Luke Braid, Kane Barrett, Liaki Moli, Ali Williams (c), Charlie Faumuina, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry. Subs: James Parsons, Angus Ta’avao, Ronald Raaymakers, Brendon O’Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Marty McKenzie, Albert Nikoro.
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai , Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Afeaki, Mahonri Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Nick Crosswell, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Patrick Osborne.
13 Comments
8 Mar 2013, 11:13 am
go bulls and stormers!!
8 Mar 2013, 11:13 am
JK juggles & Rennie rings changes http://t.co/aK2zAp5NVo via @sharethis 6 changes 2 Blues; 5 changes 2 Chiefs 4 first matches v SA teams
8 Mar 2013, 11:21 am
@grant10-1: Gonna be a nerve wrecker this weekend but I reckon you guys have the best chance of pulling off a win. My Bulls are in for a tough one.
8 Mar 2013, 11:25 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-2: Both games are real ballbreakers my man….
What a shot in the arm it would be for saffa rugy if we could do the double….
8 Mar 2013, 11:31 am
@grant10-3: With the Sharks seemingly the in form side, yes that would really be a super result for SA teams. Bulls have never managed to pull off a win in Auckland though and judging by last weeks performance….eina.
I’m hoping the with team going on tour, away from everything and a bit of ‘gel’ time they might hit their straps.
Stormers still a great defensive outfit which should be able to contain the Chiefs. Jantjies really needs to get his season on the go or it will be another snotklap. I really cannot see him having three kak games in a row though
8 Mar 2013, 12:01 pm
JK juggles & Rennie rings changes http://t.co/hOmLi61BnF via @sharethis
8 Mar 2013, 13:49 pm
i thought Bulls would be competitive and lose, now with that selection by JK i reckon Bulls have a good chance of an upset. That’s a lot of changes to make to a run on side and bench. I think he is slightly underestimating his opponent, however as a long term play its a clever move to give your extended squad a run rather than playing them into the ground. Not sure if this is the match to do that nor in such a large scale or maybe i am overestimating the Bulls? I have a feeling that complacency made them look bad against the force as they seemed to score at ease when they needed to. They will undoubtedly thrive as underdogs in this game and benefit from a stegman botha combo which should sort out their breakdown problems. Glad Arno is starting i really rate him.
8 Mar 2013, 14:10 pm
@rvanaardt-7:
JK needs to have a full squad to choose from, therefore 5 players debuting in Super Rugby and also Baden Kerr having his first starting game at first five in SR.
8 Mar 2013, 14:29 pm
@Te Rangatira-8:
i admire his faith in his squad and its definitely good call to not rely on 22 guys and expect them to be fit for the entire season. i just wonder if maybe he should introduce a few less players over more games as in make a couple of tweaks. The chiefs made changes against the cheetahs and struggled in the first half they then had their experienced guys on the bench to put the game away. Seems a better method than 6 new starts and four new bench spots. If Blues win this it will give those guys a hella avalot of confidence and make them even more dangerous but it could also prove a costly loss. Anyway JK knows a heck lot more about rugby than me and im sure he will prove me wrong.
i still think its risky but thats something we could use more of in SA. we only seem to take risks when injury enforces it. sadly i expect jan serf to warm plenty more benches and get limited game time.
8 Mar 2013, 14:42 pm
@rvanaardt-9:
It is going to be a fascinating game on Sunday. JK is taking a gamble but in the long run it may pay dividends..Still very risky, but I know its the best thing for the team.
8 Mar 2013, 14:59 pm
@Te Rangatira-10:
agreed man, cant wait to watch and see, also looking forward to stormers chiefs and getting a measure of where SA and NZ stand competitively, this weekend will be very enlightening im sure.
8 Mar 2013, 16:49 pm
It is so nice to read the comments and everyone seems to support all the SA teams. No bad remarks were made by anyone, well done everyone.
I really hope all the SA teams beat their overseas opposition! As for the Sharks / Kings game, I hope that we see an entertaining game. The Sharks should take this one easily. If the Bulls and Stormers both pull off wins then SA is sitting in good positions on the log.
Go Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Cheetahs.
8 Mar 2013, 20:33 pm
I think we must not underestimate our cheetahs upsetting the landers though… I reckon with the changes both kiwi teams made we have higher motivation to knock them over and also sending out a message not to take us lightly at all!!!
Cheetahs Stormers Bulls make it a triple… I hope
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