In the history of two of rugby's fiercest rivals -- the All Blacks and Springboks -- it is hard to think of a Test that means so little as Saturday's Tri-Nations encounter.
Instead the championship, the jewel in the crown of southern hemisphere rugby has been totally upstaged by the World Cup in France later this year robbing this weekend's Test at Jade Stadium of its traditional prestige.
Springboks coach Jake White is resting his top 20 players, not willing to risk them two months out from the World cup, while All Blacks coach Gaham Henry is fielding a team with players selected because he says they need game time.
"The reality is that both nations have put huge premiums on the rugby World Cup this year," White said.
"One can look at this test in isolation and feel aggrieved ... but let me tell you, the World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand in France, people aren't going to worry about what happened in Christchurch.
"You'll see the best players playing each other in France and I guess that's where everyone wants to get to on October 20 (when the final is played)."
Despite the watered-down nature of Saturday's clash, and the fact the odds are stacked against South Africa who have not won in New Zealand for nine years, Springboks forwards coach Gert Smal has tried to talk up the passion.
"The game is not made for sissies," Smal declared when told many All Blacks believe their captain Richie McCaw was the target of cheap shots off the ball in their Tri-Nations opener last month.
The Wallabies were also unhappy with the way the Springboks targeted George Smith in Sydney last weekend.
"As far as I know our instructions will always be to the players to keep it as clean as possible and play the game as hard as possible as well," Smal said, adding that Test players should expect to be physically tested.
"I won't call it cheap shots. I think it is a physical game.
"You can't run away from the physical part of the game and you have to be able to deal with it."
McCaw said his side paid the ultimate price for focusing too much on their opening Tri-Nations 26-21 win over South Africa in Durban, and did not adjust well to the follow-up game when they lost 15-20 to Australia in Melbourne.
But he doubted that would be an issue this week.
"You've got to use it (loss) to your advantage," he said.
"It made us take a good look at what we got wrong. Perhaps the week before we glossed over a few things that we didn't get quite right in South Africa.
"I know a lot of the guys are hurting ... if we don't learn from this experience, then this team's in trouble."
Australia lead the series with two wins from three matches.
South Africa's sole chance of winning the series is to achieve a bonus point victory over the All Blacks to go to the top of the ladder while hoping the All Blacks beat Australia in their rematch next week.
Two wins, or one bonus point victory, to the All Blacks in their last two matches will see them retain the title.
Meanwhile, if either South Africa or New Zealand take heed of recent history, they will do well to fall off the pace in the first half on Saturday night.
All four Tri-Nations Tests so far this year have been won by the team trailing at halftime.
Teams (15-1)
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Nick Evans.
South Africa: JP Pietersen, Breyton Paulse, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, Jaco Pretorius, Derick Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar, Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Johann Muller (captain), Albert van den Berg, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde.
Reserves: Gary Botha, Eddie Andrews, Gerrie Britz, Hilton Lobberts, Michael Claassens, Peter Grant, Tonderai Chavhanga
Re: "In the history of two of rugby's fiercest rivals -- the All Blacks and Springboks -- it is hard to think of a Test that means so little as Saturday's Tri-Nations encounter."
ReplyDelete*Sigh*. Look at the starting line-ups of both teams... If the game meant little, the coaches would mothball their starters. Both teams are starting their best sides. Eden Park will be a sell-out. Both sides are playing for everything. The Tri-Nations championship is on the line. The Bledisloe Cup, which the Kiwis have held for something like 4 years -- much to the chagrin of retiring future Hall of Famer Wallabies George Gregan and Steve Larkham -- is on the line. Trans-Tasman bragging rights are on the line. A psychological advantage going to the World Cup is on the line. Look at the starting line-ups, listen to what it means to the players and coaches and fans themselves, wake up and get a clue. Just because the World Cup is the biggest prize doesn't mean the other big fish are suddenly small fry, and if you knew anything about rugby or a trans-Tasman rivalry, you would know what you are saying above is utter rubbish.