0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
OOKER Bismarck du Plessis has been included in an unchanged starting side for South Africa’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Twickenham on Sunday (AEDT).
Du Plessis had been doubtful after having his hand ‘studded’ accidentally by teammate Francois Louw during the 23-19 quarter-final win over Wales.
But he was named in the starting 15, announced on Wednesday by coach Heyneke Meyer at the Springboks team hotel in Guildford, southwest of London.
Veteran lock Victor Matfield, ruled out of South Africa’ past three matches with a hamstring injury after coming out of Test retirement, returned on the bench in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit.
This was the first time since last November that Meyer has been able to name an unchanged starting team for successive Tests.
“It’s great to be able to give another run to the team that got us through to the semi-finals in the biggest Test of the year,” said Meyer.
“Victor’s inclusion on the bench gives us even more experience there.
“His influence will also be pivotal against a strong New Zealand lineout.”
The All Blacks, the reigning world champions, thrashed France 62-13 in their quarter-final.
“We’re playing against the defending champions and the top-ranked side in the world, but the current New Zealand side can also be regarded as arguably one of the best Test teams ever,” said Meyer.
“We have the utmost respect for their players and coaching staff and, although there is an intense rivalry, we actually get along very well away from the field,” he added.
“But we have to believe we can beat them otherwise we’ll be wasting our time on Saturday,” added the coach, whose side suffered a shock defeat by Japan in their tournament opener.
“Tests against New Zealand are very intense and the margins over the last couple of years have been small.
“We’re not expecting anything different this weekend and the self-belief is there,” Meyer said.
New Zealand, who have won seven of their past nine Tests against South Africa, are due to name their side on Thursday.
South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damien de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lodewyk de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/b...-1227577678024
NEW Zealand coach Steve Hansen promised “a performance to be proud of” in their Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa as he announced just one change to his team.
Joe Moody comes in for loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett who suffered a groin strain in the All Blacks’ 62-13 quarter-final win over France.
“We’re ready to go,” Hansen said Thursday ahead of Saturday’s (Sunday 0200 AEDT) Twickenham clash.
The defending champions had prepared well during the week to “produce another game we can all be proud of” after demolishing France.
“Though we’ve met (South Africa) many times over the years, we’ve only played three times at the Rugby World Cup and these Cup finals matches are totally different,” Hansen said.
“They have a live-or-die nature to them and both teams will be desperate to advance.
“As a group, we’re really looking forward to this challenge.
“It will require a massive amount of intensity and composure and accurate skill execution. This team has high expectations of itself and enjoys the big occasions.”
was called into the New Zealand side after Tony Woodcock was injured and put out of the tournament in their final pool game against Tonga.
This is the fewest changes the All Blacks have made to their starting line-up so far in the tournament and the smallest between successive World Cup matches since making no changes to the side who defeated Australia in the 2011 semi-finals and went on to beat France in the final.
nger Julian Savea, who crossed for three of the All Blacks’ nine tries against France, has scored eight tries to equal the single tournament record held by South Africa’s Bryan Habana, who he faces on Saturday, and All Blacks great Jonah Lomu.
The All Blacks’ matchday 23 has an average age of 28 and 1318 caps in experience.
New Zealand: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
http://mobile.news.com.au/sport/rugb...-1227579180514
Will the All a blacks rally or have they put the neck tie on too tight?
Was the Kaino try off a forward pass by King Ritchie?
'God invented beer to prevent Props from taking over the world'
King Ritchie could miss the final for an elbow in the 20th minute
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/ru...24-gkhra4.html
I hope he doesn't get suspended cause I want our boys to win against a full strength ABs - assuming we can get over the Argies tonight of course. The Pumas were red hot against Ireland, very physical and plenty of skill, so it won't be easy. However, I reckon we learnt a lot from the Scotland game, so here's hoping.
They'll never ban McCaw in a million years. He could pull out a 12 gauge shotgun and blow Francois Louw's head off and still play next week.
Wests Scarborough 1st Grade juggernaut has played finals rugby each and every year since its inception and continues this remarkable feat yet again this season and unbelievably it's still rolling on and as an added little circle jerk for the masses Wests actually hold the record for the current longest unbroken finals record.
Won't even get sanctioned, is a massive beat up
Shudda called in the TMO to check. Throw him under the bus!!! Verry ruffly!
The darkness are just a class outfit. It's hard to find a weakness. The rain came down and they changed their game plan. The Saffers changed their defensive strategy.....and they changed their game plan.
They are just good at everything and they are also a very smart outfit. They adjust better than any other team. The wallabies haven't evolved this ability to adjust strategy, game plan on the field to suit the circumstances.
The scrum did struggle at times against The Bok.
Milner Scudder was targeted under the high ball with great effect.
The bok did (largely) shut down their mid field go forward which stops their momentum.
.....will be hard to beat
Forecast for next Saturday is rain. Not our go
First have to beat the Argies
Controversy corner