New Zealand - South Africa
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Vincent Tavae Aso, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jackson Gardon-Bachop, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Simon Hickey, (captain), 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Mathew Peni, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Geoffrey Cridge, 4 James Tucker, 3 Tau Koloamatangi, 2 Epalahame Faiva, 1 Atunaisa Moli.
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Scott Mellow, 18 Timothy Cadwallader, 19 Kyle Harris, 20 Joshua Dickson, 21 Joshua Renton, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Tauasosi Tuimavave.
The team showed three changes froom the team that played against Samoa - most notably the coming in of Simon Hickey and Tevita Li. In the game on Monday it was clear that the team's main strength is in their backline - although the backline on the whole was not dangerous since most of the NZ tries came from individual efforts after Samoan handling errors leading to ball possession losses.
Their forwards were not particularly strong and that could count against them in the game against South Africa. This would likely be their main weak link in the upcoming game.
South Africa
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Lloyd Greeff, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Handré Pollard (captain), 9 JP Smith, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Victor Sekekete, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Duhan van der Merwe.
No real surprises in the selection of the above team - especially in view of the injuries to Esterhuizen and Van Rensburg. The only surprise is the absence of Marx - but that could have to do with his line out throw ins more than anything else - he was not accurate enough on Monday.
Dan Kriel was originally selected as a center and his brother did very well at 13 on Monday. Although it could mean a slight weakening of the mid-field players the overall team has been strengthened by the selection of JP Smith at scrummie and the inclusion of JD Schickerling in the starting line up.
The forwards are very strong and even without Esterhuizen and Schoeman the team is likely to be too strong for the Kiwis.
Australia - England
Australia
5 Jonah Placid, 14 Brad Lacey, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Jimmy Stewart, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Ross Haylett-Petty, 7 Rowan Perry, 6 Sean McMahon (captain), 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Harry Scoble, 1 Rory O’Connor.
Replacements: 16 Feliti Kaitu’u, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jack Payne, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Angus Pulver, 22 David Horwitz, 23 Luke Burton.
In the game against Argentina the Aussie forwards dominated and the forwards have been strengthened by the return of Staniforth to the team. Their backline had some big players who are not as speedy as they should be.
They are up against England whose main strength is their forwards. That would mean a forwrd battle par excellence and whichever team wins that battle will win the game.
England
Team to be announced
Wales - Ireland
Wales
15 Ashley Evans, 14 Tyler Morgan 13 Steffan Hughes (captain), 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Joshua Adams, 10 Angus O'Brien, 9 Luc Jones, 8 James Benjamin, 7 Will Boyde, 6 Olly Cracknell, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Nicky Thomas, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Scott Otten, 17 Luke Garrett, 18 Callum Lewis, 19 Scott Andrews, 20 Scott Matthews, 21 Tom Williams, 22 Ethan Davies, 23 Afon Bagshaw.
Wales made three changes to the team that won their first game and they will have a real battle on their hands against the Irish.
Ireland
Team to be announced
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