My own impression is that the situation is as follows:
Outside Backs
With Ben Smith at full back and Savea together with Milner-Skudder on the wing the AB's has the edge against the SA Combination. Although atr rimnes dangerous the Le Roux, Pietersen and Habana is not competitive in this cartegory.
Advantage - All Blacks
Centers
Nonu and Conrad Smith has expressed reservations about their youngster opponents. In the last test they admitted to come out second best to De Allende and Kriel and they appear to be worried about De Allende in particular. Smith has not really been on song this year and seems to be nearing retirement age rapidly.
Advantage - Evens
Half backs
Carter is still a classic in world rugby as a flyhalf and Aaron Smith si the ebst scrummie in the world at present. Although Pollard has been impressive early on and it is very early in his career - he si nto up to the class Carter is at present. Du Preez has been excellent in the past and has good skills, but eh is coming to the end of hsi career.
Advantage - New Zealand
Back Row
The AB's is likely to use Read, McCaw and Kaino as their loosie combination to face Vermeulen, Burger and Louw. Difficult to assess - Read and Vermeulen have completely different playing styles and is an asset in line-outs and in looser play. However, not solid in tighter forward play. As a blindisder I think that Burger shades Kaino - the latter is not what he used to be in 2011. McCaw is still a top player - but not what he sued to be and can be a bit of a liability from a penalty and card perspective. I would give him a slight edge over Louw.
Advantage Even
Locks
The big talk on the AB side is always how well Whitelock and Retallick do as a lock combination but they are both rather loose players - deficient in forward play. Etzebeth and De Jager are different style players and definitely better as locks than the AB pair is.
Advantage - Springboks
Props and Hooker
This is where the real problem lies for the All Blacks - they havce for the first time in years a very good hooker - who is very good in the loose - but not noticewable in Tight 5 play. There props have always been a problem - the weak link in an excellent team. The Bok props are better than their AB counterparts and Bismarck remains a very good player.
Advantage - Springboks
There are clear evidence that the AB's has the upper hand in the abckline - but is at a disadvantage up front. If the AB backline gets slow balls - the team is at a disadvantage and that could where the battle is really won. The ability of the AB's to get good balls for usage by the backline - if there is a deficiency there th AB chances of winnng the game is reduced.
Forcing to get the AB's to commit more of their forward players to Tight 5 play is going to be a distinct advantage to the Springboks.
If De Jager is fit to play the situation as is above. If he is not the crucial lock combination will turn to favour the AB's and that would have a major impact on the outcome of the game.
Coach57,555 posts
21 Oct 2015, 14:54
#1
21 Oct 2015, 14:54#1
