All Blacks, Boks gear up for Tri-Nations opener
Source: Agencies |
July 9, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WORLD rugby's two top-ranked teams, New Zealand and South Africa, meet in the opening match of the Tri-Nations tournament tomorrow at the ground where the World Cup final will be played in 15 months.
Both teams have spoken of the importance of winning the Tri-Nations title, held by South Africa, and disputing the No. 1 world ranking, which is currently New Zealand's.
In terms of rewriting the history books, both sides have an added incentive to emerge with a win as New Zealand id unbeaten in 21 matches at Auckland's Eden Park dating back to 1994, while South Africa has not won at the venue since 1937.
And while both teams have rejected the notion that the match will offer a preview of World Cup form, the intensity to each team's preparation and the edge to the pre-match rhetoric suggests that some World Cup feeling ?? at least the desire to strike a psychological blow ?? has infected both camps.
New Zealand has said it wants to avenge its three losses to South Africa in last year's Tri-Nations series and prove it deserves to be ranked No. 1 in the world ahead of the world champion Springboks.
"I personally think it (the World Cup) is irrelevant," New Zealand co-coach Wayne Smith said. "Both teams are going to have a good crack at the World Cup, but not today or tomorrow, that's down the track.
Own entity
"This has got its own entity. It's a Springboks-All Blacks match with all that that entails. It's important for today but I don't know how important it is for the World Cup."
Center Conrad Smith, who returns to the New Zealand lineup after injury along with midfield partner Ma'a Nonu, gave some insight into the tension in the All Blacks camp.
"There is a danger with a game like this that you get too excited and go overboard with all the adrenaline," Smith said. "It's something we've talked about, but it does feel like a different game and there is definitely an edge to training."
Both teams named experienced lineups for the match, the All Blacks favoring fullback Mils Muliaina, Nonu, winger Joe Rokocoko and prop Tony Woodcock over younger rivals.
South Africa named lock Bakkies Botha in its starting XV and Danie Rossouw on the bench after delaying the naming of its lineup from Tuesday to yesterday to monitor the fitness of the second rowers.
Captain John Smit said tomorrow's test possessed greater significance than his team's June tests against France and Italy. "This is a different kettle of fish," he said. "This is a different test match. This is going to be a high-pressure environment."
Australia is the third team in the tournament.
Both teams have spoken of the importance of winning the Tri-Nations title, held by South Africa, and disputing the No. 1 world ranking, which is currently New Zealand's.
In terms of rewriting the history books, both sides have an added incentive to emerge with a win as New Zealand id unbeaten in 21 matches at Auckland's Eden Park dating back to 1994, while South Africa has not won at the venue since 1937.
And while both teams have rejected the notion that the match will offer a preview of World Cup form, the intensity to each team's preparation and the edge to the pre-match rhetoric suggests that some World Cup feeling ?? at least the desire to strike a psychological blow ?? has infected both camps.
New Zealand has said it wants to avenge its three losses to South Africa in last year's Tri-Nations series and prove it deserves to be ranked No. 1 in the world ahead of the world champion Springboks.
"I personally think it (the World Cup) is irrelevant," New Zealand co-coach Wayne Smith said. "Both teams are going to have a good crack at the World Cup, but not today or tomorrow, that's down the track.
Own entity
"This has got its own entity. It's a Springboks-All Blacks match with all that that entails. It's important for today but I don't know how important it is for the World Cup."
Center Conrad Smith, who returns to the New Zealand lineup after injury along with midfield partner Ma'a Nonu, gave some insight into the tension in the All Blacks camp.
"There is a danger with a game like this that you get too excited and go overboard with all the adrenaline," Smith said. "It's something we've talked about, but it does feel like a different game and there is definitely an edge to training."
Both teams named experienced lineups for the match, the All Blacks favoring fullback Mils Muliaina, Nonu, winger Joe Rokocoko and prop Tony Woodcock over younger rivals.
South Africa named lock Bakkies Botha in its starting XV and Danie Rossouw on the bench after delaying the naming of its lineup from Tuesday to yesterday to monitor the fitness of the second rowers.
Captain John Smit said tomorrow's test possessed greater significance than his team's June tests against France and Italy. "This is a different kettle of fish," he said. "This is a different test match. This is going to be a high-pressure environment."
Australia is the third team in the tournament.
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