Compiled by Ranjika Perera
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New Zealand beat South Africa in their 100th rugby Test to win the Rugby Championship last week[/caption]
Ian Foster has made some interesting changes for the final Test of the Rugby Championship 2021 at the Cbus Super Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia on Saturday (2 October).
Richie Mo’unga will make his New Zealand return from the bench as Foster named the team to face the South Africa.
The starting forward pack of All Blacks remains unchanged from last week’s thrilling win over the Springboks. However, Luke Jacobson returns to the No. 8 after missing out on last week’s centenary game for illness.
Asafo Aumua makes it to the bench as reserve hooker and George Bower replaces Karl Tu’inukuafe.
All Blacks’ changes
In the back line, Brad Weber will start at half-back with Thomas Tekanapu Rawakata ‘TJ’ Perenara on the bench while Anton Lienert-Brown returns from injury to the 13-jersey, with Rieko Ioane moving to the left wing and Sevu Reece beingnamed on the right.
Wingers George Bridge and Will Jordan, who both struggled under the Springboks’ high kicks last weekend, didn’t make the match-day 23.
All Blacks XV:
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Akira Ioane, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece, and Jordie Barrett
Reserves:
Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ethan Blackadder, T.J. Perenara, Richie Mo’unga, and Damian McKenzie
Springbok squad news
Springboks have had a disappointing tour down under, suffering two defeats to Australia and then losing out to All Blacks last week.
Coach Jacques Nienaber made only two forced changes to the starting 15 for this final game of the Rugby Championship.
Starting prop Ox Nche replaces Frans Malherbe who suffered a neck injury, while loose forward Jasper Wiese is on the bench for Marco van Staden who will miss out due to a shoulder niggle.
Speaking to the media, Nienaber said, “We made a big step up in terms of our performance last week and having reviewed the match, there is no doubt we delivered a performance worthy of a victory. Last week we stuck to our DNA and style of play, and with a little more luck, we could have come away with the result, so we need to ensure that we are better at it this week.”
Springboks XV:
Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Kwagga Smith, Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, and Ox Nche
Reserves:
Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasoer Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, and Frans Steyn
Wallabies get ready to finish it on a high
Australia have enjoyed three back-to-back wins over South Africa and Argentina as Coach Dave Rennie named his team to face the latter in the final round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday (2).
Two notable inclusions in the Wallabies’ squad were back-rower Sean McMahon and prop Greg Holmes, who ate making their international returns on Saturday.
McMahon will make his return via the bench, which will be his first appearance in the gold jersey since November 2017 against Scotland.
Wallabies’ oldest player
The 38-year-old Holmes is set to become the oldest player to play for the Wallabies since World War II.
Along with this, Darcy Swain and Pete Samu have been named in the starting 15. Swain will partner Izack Rodda as experienced Matt Philip goes back to the bench.
Samu comes into blindside flanker, alongside Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini in the back row.
More changes
There is one change to the back-line as Jordan Petaia has replaces Marika Koroibete who is heading home to Melbourne after last week’s 27-8 win.
The Canberra-based Brumbies’ hooker Lachlan Lonergan comes onto the bench alongside Holmes and McMahon. He is joined by his Brumbies’ team-mate Tom Wright and Waratahs scrum-half Jake Gordon.
Wallabies XV:
James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Darcy Swain, Pete Samu, Michael Hooper, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Len Ikitau, Jordan Petaia, and Reece Hodge
Replacements:
Lachlan Lonergan, Angus Bell, Greg Holmes, Matt Philip, Sean McMahon, Jake Gordon, James O’Connor, and Tom Wright
Chaos at Argentina camp
A bitter end to disappointing Rugby Championship for Argentina as six players were left stranded in New South Wales, Australia after a breach of Covid-19 protocols there.
Former Argentina Captain Pablo Matera, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Sebastian Cancelliere, Santiago Medrano, Santiago Socino, and two Pumas staff travelled to a Byron Bay health retreat from the Gold Coast on Wednesday (29 September).
The group were stopped at the border on Wednesday evening when they tried to return to Queensland and had to spend the evening at a hotel.
The six players have since been ruled ineligible for selection, but the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship Test against Argentina at Cbus Super Stadium tomorrow will go ahead.