WHEREAS the Springboks will announce their starting line-up for their clash against New Zealand only later today, All Blacks coach Graham Henry has released the names of his squad of 22 for Saturday's match in Auckland.
WHEREAS the Springboks will announce their starting line-up for their clash against New Zealand only later today, All Blacks coach Graham Henry has released the names of his squad of 22 for Saturday's match in Auckland.
Henry's starting XV is fairly predictable. Centre Ma'a Nonu comes back after an injury layoff, while Owen Franks returns to tighthead prop, Joe Rokocoko takes over the left-wing position and Conrad Smith is back in the midfield after an eye injury.
Jimmy Cowan and Daniel Carter are the halfback pairing and Henry will be pleased that Carter is once again displaying the form that won him the coveted IRB World Player of the Year in 2005.
The front row of Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks is rapidly gaining respect and it will be interesting to see who Bok coach Peter de Villiers opts for come Saturday morning.
The Springbok management have delayed naming their team because of injury concerns regarding Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw.
Though the injuries are believed to be minor the management has decided to give the two enough time to fully recover.
Outside of the quadrennial World Cup finals, the Tri-Nations is as big as it gets and this year it's no different.
Nonu back for All Blacks
WHEREAS the Springboks will announce their starting line-up for their clash against New Zealand only later today, All Blacks coach Graham Henry has released the names of his squad of 22 for Saturday's match in Auckland.
WHEREAS the Springboks will announce their starting line-up for their clash against New Zealand only later today, All Blacks coach Graham Henry has released the names of his squad of 22 for Saturday's match in Auckland.
Henry's starting XV is fairly predictable. Centre Ma'a Nonu comes back after an injury layoff, while Owen Franks returns to tighthead prop, Joe Rokocoko takes over the left-wing position and Conrad Smith is back in the midfield after an eye injury.
Jimmy Cowan and Daniel Carter are the halfback pairing and Henry will be pleased that Carter is once again displaying the form that won him the coveted IRB World Player of the Year in 2005.
The front row of Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks is rapidly gaining respect and it will be interesting to see who Bok coach Peter de Villiers opts for come Saturday morning.
The Springbok management have delayed naming their team because of injury concerns regarding Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw.
Though the injuries are believed to be minor the management has decided to give the two enough time to fully recover.
Outside of the quadrennial World Cup finals, the Tri-Nations is as big as it gets and this year it's no different.