The All Blacks
The cahnges in the AB team has been minimal. Kaino instead of Messam in the starting line-up and Fekitoa on the bench are the only real changes since last year.
Messam had a very food RC last year - but was very quiet during the Super 15 - hence his ommision from the team. Carter would have been an improvement - but one never knows what is going to happen in his case.
I think that Fekitoa is a cast improvement, but it depends on when he comes from the bench. The only negative really is the fact that MNxXaw is going backwards in performance - even though bovody in New Zeland seems to recognize that fact.
I would say there is no real improvement in the team - much the same as it was last year. A very astrong tem - but rather stagnat in further development.
The Wallabies
The Wallabies last year was very weak and they had to make substantial changes to the team to make t more effective.
The present team is completely revamped and numerous changes have been made:-
* Differnt wings have been selected
* The inside center has been changed
* The half backs has been changed
* Th locks have been changed
* The hooker situation as a result of the injury to Moore.
There has been so many changes made that it is very difficult to really evaluate whethe there were improvement in the carious positions. Based on the Super 15 performnces of th carious players - and the successful June tests against the French it is clear that there have been an Improvement in teh team.
Wheter that very substantial improvement means that they have a better chance than last year so s to become title contenders is not clear at all. I would say they are - but we would have to see what happens on Saturday.
The Springboks
There has ben somesunstantial changes made in the squad and those are important.
Lets slook at those in particular:-
* Hendricks has replaced JP Pietersen. Hendricks is a very spedy wing and on attack likely to be more dangerous. Whether he is good enough under high balls remains to be seen. On balance a slight improvement is in evidence
* De Allende at 13. This is in fact a major improvement in the teams that played in the RC last year. The guy is sa ball sense player and physically very strong.
* Pollard ahead of Morne Steyn. Also a huge improvement - especially ebaring in mind the very poor show put up by Morne in the RC matches between the All Balkcs and the Springboks last year.
* The lock situation has been substantially weakened by the selection of Botha and Matfield as squad members. Etzebeth was off with an injury for so long - he has to be phased in. However, there was an additionalk player brough in - namely De Jager. If Etzebneth and De jager turn out to be the starting locks an improbement to the locks of lasdt year would be in evidence.
SUMMARY
The top team - the All Blacks - has not made any real changes to the starting line-up that are representing a substantikl increase in the stength of the team - so it is for the other two teams to show mprovement to beat the All Blacks. Can it happen - yes - but the other teams would have to ve in top form to do that.
The Wallabies is the Dark Horse in this race. There is a chance that it could happen - but I have some reservations about the strength of their tight 5 If they get enough good balls from their forwards both the All Blacks and the Springboks will have their hands full with them.
The Springboks be a better team than they were last year. There are still some improvements to be made - eg at scrumhalf and at 7. The issue wll also be influenced by the lock selection. If Etzebeth and De Jager starts it would also represents an improvement. Can they beat the All Blacks and the Wallabies? I think they can - but there are some further forward issues to be addressed, which will make the Springboks even a better team than they are already. .
