The 6th game of the 2010 Tri-Nations is South Africa's first game at home. After dominating the tournament so far the All Blacks are just one point off sealing the Tri-Nations for the 10th time in it's 15 year history. The game will be played in Johannesburg, a ground where the All Blacks haven't won at since Fitzy lead them to victory in 1997. The game has already sold out with an expected crowd of 88,791! South Africas Tri-Nations hopes are all over but they do have something to play for. It is Captain John Smit's 100th test cap for the Springboks.

Game is on 1am (EST) and 3am in New Zealand on Sunday Morning. This should be an epic battle, definitely one to watch. South Africa will need a much improved performance if they are to get the win here. My tip is for the All Blacks to carry on their winning ways at win it 1-12



John Smit set to play is 100th test for South Africa

SPRINGBOKS
15 Gio Aplon, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Butch James, 22 Wynand Olivier

ALL BLACKS
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock,
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn 17 John Afoa 18 Samuel Whitelock 19 Victor Vito 20 Piri Weepu 21 Aaron Cruden 22 Israel Dagg.

Should be good to see how we go in South Africa. I know we smashed them in New Zealand but it’s a complete different story in South Africa.

Springboks are down on confidence so I think the All Blacks will win as they have all the momentum and confidence.

cant believe Piri's back on the bench.
jimmy must have sore knees

ABs lineup:

1. Woodcock 2. Mealamu 3. B. Franks 4. Thorn 5. Donnelly 6. Kaino 7. McCaw (c) 8. Read 9. Cowan 10. Carter 11. Rokocoko 12. Nonu 13. Smith 14. Jane 15. Muliaina
16. Flynn 17. O. Franks 18. Whitelock 19. Vito 20. Weepu 21. Cruden 22. Dagg

Even though he's on the bench I reckon Piri will get a decent run against the boks. Glad to see Dagg on the bench again.

Predicitable side again. As Pantherus said glad too see Dagg back in the 22.

Both teams now in first post.

Some big changes to the South Arican side. JP Pietersen and Juan Smith have been brought into the side and both will start, JP on the wing and Juan at 7. Flip van der Merwe will start in place of Danie Russouw, Bekker and Botha are still out. Gio Aplin will start at FB in place of Kirchner who is out with a knee injuy. Francois Hougaard will make his first start at halfback.

The Boks were woeful on their travels over here and NZ and even though they will improve tenfold infront of their vocal home crowd in going for the ABs to take it out again and seal another Tri Nations title.
ABs 1-12, ill say 23-17.

Boks came close to having Francois Steyn but his French club refused to release him...

Hey I know - let's select overseas NZ players for the ABs - they'll never f$%king play for the ABs though will they?!?!

I would hate for the ABs to select overseas players. Eventually you'd have all the best players playing overseas as the money is a lot better and our provincial and Super competitions would be crap. One of the main incentives to stay in NZ to play rugby is to earn a spot in the All Blacks.

With you there bro - but this whole kerfuffle has to be a billboard for not doing it too - for all those morons who think getting Carl Hayman and Nick Evans is enough to completely scrap the rule.

Yea would love to see Hayman and Evans back in the All Blacks, but not until they've done another super season at least, for the Highlanders...they could use the help!

Great win by the boys. Haha at Dagg putting his hand up before the try line. Could get some words for that.

Joe Rocokoco is in trouble of getting dropped. Hes been solid but nothing great. When Sivi is back he will be straight back in the team.

Was an awesome game. Tried to stay up and watch it a 3am but had too many beers and ended up comaring on the couch, only to wake up for the last 10mins and what a great 10mins it was. Got up this morning and watched the full replay.

Felt sorry for John Smit, you could tell how much he wanted that win, and if he had held on to Nonu he may have got it.

Awesome performance from both sides, South Africa's loose forwards were on form, especially thought Juan Smith was outstanding. Hard to pick the best AB from the game but I'll go with McCaw or Nonu.


Rozz, I don't want Sivi back, I want Dagg on that wing!

Daniel Carter out of rugby for up to 8 weeks

New Zealand flyhalf Daniel Carter will undergo surgery on his right ankle, ruling him out of rugby for up to eight weeks.

The All Blacks, who clinched the Tri-Nations title on Saturday with a 29-22 win over South Africa in Johannesburg, said Sunday the surgery will sideline Carter for the team's final tournament match against Australia in Sydney on Sept. 11.

The team said it hoped Carter would recover in time to be named in New Zealand's 30-man squad for its season-ending tour to Hong Kong and Britain. The surgery is planned for Tuesday in Christchurch.

Carter has started all eight tests for the All Blacks this year and kicked 14 points in the win over South Africa on Saturday.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1353791&lang=eng_news&cate_img=145.jpg&cate_rss=news_Sports

yeah heard that today - most likely Cruden will start against the wallabies in sydney - will they bring in mcalister/slade/brett to cover 10 or will they leave that up to Weepu and have stanley and dagg on the bench with cowan?

9. Weepu 10. Cruden 11. Joe Rok 12. Nonu 13. Smith 14. Jane 15. Mils

5 HURRICANES!

I think McAlister will get called up to the bench joining Dagg and Cowan.

Haha - yep! go the Canes!!! A predominantly Canes backline - just like old times!