Winging it: Hosea Gear
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New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made two changes to his run-on XV for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Soweto.
Having already clinched the title in the inaugural year of the expanded Southern Hemisphere championship, the All Blacks brought in lock Brodie Retallick and winger Hosea Gear for Luke Romano and Julian Savea.
Romano drops to the bench, while tryscoring left wing Savea is out of the 22 altogether.
On the bench, prop Ben Franks, loose forward Adam Thomson and outside back Tamati Ellison replace Charlie Faumuina, Sam Cane and Ben Smith.
The world champions have won 15 straight Tests and last lost in August last year against the Boks in South Africa.
"We are in no doubt how big the challenge is for the team this weekend but it is one we are looking forward to as it will be a real test of our resolve and character," said Hansen.
"South Africa are coming off a big win against Australia and will be playing in front of their home crowd at Soweto so it's going to be a huge Test match."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Date: Saturday , October 6
Venue: Soccer City, Soweto
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Greg Garner (England)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Comments
powerplay says...
@atg77 yes i think NZ's wining steak is gona end too, maybe because steak tastes different in SA??
Posted 11:41 04th October 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
....Okay maybe not invisible in june... but certainly invincible :)
Posted 10:38 04th October 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I honestly think that if the All Blacks win on Saturday then they'll absolutley smash the world record for consecutive test wins to oblivion.
You have to fancy them to do well in the November tests, Oz are under their thumb so the warm up match is winable. they've been invisible in the june tests since 2002.... then comes the rugby championship again....
It all adds to the spice to Saturday's match up, especially as the Boks jointly hold the world record with NZ!!!!
Posted 10:36 04th October 2012
JayStarr says...
As a Springbok fan I actually think these are very clever selections. I fear them all more than the guys they are replacing. Gear has more of an edge than Savea, and Ellison and Thompson are rock solid players who will go all day long if things get physical. I tip my hat to the AB selectors.
Pity Francois Steyn, Bismarck and Schalk Burger are not fit for this one.
Posted 10:29 04th October 2012
atg77 says...
Winning steak is coming to an end New Zealand, the omens are all there.
Posted 09:49 04th October 2012
Euskadi says...
Prefer Hosea to Savea especially vs the Boks. No youngsters for the Boks to try to rattle in the backline. The second row could be the All Blacks soft underbelly, especially against the Boks tight 5. We should hold our own in the lineout and have done well against the Boks through in the last test. Would have preferred Romano in this instance simply for the little extra physicality he brings but can understand Hansens rationale. Scrums should be interesting I expect neither to be dominant at that piece. Flo has been hot but so too McCaw, I very much like Alberts he is a bruising beast so Messam needs to step up, its one thing to bully a Puma its a different beast altogether to bully a Bok. Read is without pier at the back presently so the loose battle will be a highlight. If I were the Boks my focus would be on disrupting and pressuring Aaron Smith.
There will be extra passion simply due the location and this will undoubtedly lift the Boks, NZ will want to beat their foe, clean sweep the RC and continue the streak. So there is no shortage of passion nor motivation for either side.
I'll reserve my score prediction until tomorrow but I think the ABs will win it
Posted 09:34 04th October 2012
mkpunk says...
What if Julian Savea was moved inside to second five eighth......he could be an instant success with his direct running. He just needs to be schooled on his distribution and passing game........but he already has play-making abilities that other regular wingers don't have as he showed against the Argies in setting up Cory Jane's try. He could eventually take over from Ma'a Nonu
Posted 09:12 04th October 2012
markmassive says...
A very very good team....
Posted 08:59 04th October 2012
Carpelone says...
Hosea Gear is a much better player than Savea and I think that was the right call from Hansen. How Toeava and Guildford made the RWC ahead of him is still a mystery to me. Savea is not ready to be targeted by the Boks and this is why he is dropped. Retallick and Romano are more or less the same. A strong team, as expected.
Posted 08:50 04th October 2012
ABlack says...
This THE biggest game of 2012. AB's by 6 but not before the boks play out of their skins. AB fitness and experience will get them home
Posted 08:42 04th October 2012
brands says...
Nice, bout time Gear got a run!
Posted 08:17 04th October 2012
bk47 says...
So let me get this straight. Hansen calls up Beauden Barrett for the tour which we assume that he will get a run for the Ab's at some point at which in the end he doesn't? As a Taranaki fan I'm fricken pissed hes missed so many games!!! (dont mind me, probably still annoyed from the ranfurly shield lost last nite lol)
Anyway pretty good team. I think Gear has a lot to prove and Thompson must be shocked that his name is finally on the team sheet. I kind of get the feeling this could be his last test. I can't see him staying around NZ for too long. Hes way back in the pecking order now which just shows how good our depth is.
Posted 07:43 04th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
yep! I think Gear is a safer option at wing against the Boks, especially when you have a player like Habana as your opposite. This should be a great close game...Good luck to both teams
Posted 07:40 04th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
nice rotation policy thing going on. like it. boks in for a record breaking defeat
Posted 07:33 04th October 2012
KiwiLad says...
What would Robbie do to be in Hansens seat now???
The luxury of depth
Posted 07:18 04th October 2012