All Blacks do double take on Boks; Rugby 365

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen will have some big selection decisions to make this week, as his team prepares to take on South Africa.

Having rested the bulk of the All Blacks who featured in the all-New Zealand Super Rugby Final - between the Hurricanes and Highlanders - in the first two Tests of the year, he has to decide how many of them will now be unleashed on the Springboks.

Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Victor Vito and James Broadhurst are all keen to get a run against Springboks in their Rugby Championship outing a Ellis Park on Saturday.

Probably the most interesting selection would be what combination he chooses to oppose South Africa's exciting new midfield pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende.

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster, addressing a media briefing ahead of Saturday's big Test, admitted that having had two teams in the Super Rugby Final do provide some challenges.

"The last two weeks we've had guys coming and going," Foster said at the team hotel in Johannesburg.

Asked about the additional resources, he said it is a question of whether they are ready, having had an additional week off.

"We saw a big difference in terms of cohesion from [the pre-season game against] Samoa to [the Rugby Championship Test against] Argentina," Foster said.

"This week it is important that we get the group that didn't play against Argentina up to speed as quickly as possible."

The All Black assistant was happy with the additional midfield resources and options now at their disposal - which allowed them to leave star playmaker Sonny Bill Williams at home.

"Apart from Conrad Smith there is Malakai [Fekitoa] and Ryan Crotty, we have some contrasting players," he said, adding: "We had Sonny [Bill Williams] and Ma'a [Nonu] who played against Argentina. This week will be different with Sonny not here."

He said the key for veteran midfielder Conrad Smith is to "freshen" him up ahead of he World Cup.

And he felt they have more than enough resources should Smith require another week of rest.

"We like the balance and contrast Malakai gives us as a ball carrier that can pass," Foster said.

"We are juggling them up and having a good look at the South Africans.

"They had a new midfield last week, so we are assessing that to see what we should offer up."

Foster also spoke of the "plusses and minus" of running a squad of 41, but felt that terms of in the big, World Cup, picture it is working out just beautifully.

"It has given us a chance to expose everyone to how we do things."

Flyhalf could be another interesting selection poser - with Dan Carter also left back in New Zealand.

The choice is between Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga.

By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com

Nothing less than a flawless performance from the Boks will pull this one out the bag. It can be done, and I for one certainly hope so, but I think we gonna need some spiritual  assistance from a few Sangoma's.

 In my opinion they will give some of the S15 players who had a rest a shot this weekend. C. Smith is usually given more time off than most so he may get another week. It will be interesting to see who they select for the back-line especially if Meyer goes with Kriel and de Allande. Can you imagine the crowing that will go on if the Bok mid-field does well?  That poor wee chap Beeno may have to be given a remedial course in crowing
Lesson 1: Eating Crow - typically when you are outrageously wrong

Due to over-consumption believed to be an endangered species in the Cape Town area

Lesson 2: Crowing - performed when victory is achieved

The poor we Cape Town version has forgotten how to crow

Not sure what is so "exciting" about the Springbok centre pairing that was humiliated by the average Wallaby centres. If they got exposed by little Gits and Fatty Kuridrani what do you think will happen when they come up against Snake and Nonu? I reckon Hansen could pick the Franks brothers at centre and they'd run rings around the "exciting" Yarpie carthorses!

Caaaaaaaarn the All Blacks!  

 Denny.  let them be.   Pride and Karma is a beech. Hoogmoed kom tot n val.