The biggest test of the season is coming right up for the All Blacks as they will host their biggest rivals in the sport in their famous stronghold of Eden Park this Saturday evening. It is going to be a tall task for an All Blacks side who, since the last World Cup, have been stifled by the Springboks in every encounter.
Now, as we have done for the majority of their games this season, we are going to provide you with a lineup that we could see this coming weekend for Razor. However, this week we have a bit of a twist. So instead of predicting what the team will look like, I’m going to give you my own two cents and select the team I would like to see try to defend the fortress that hasn’t been breached since 1994.
Loose Head: Tamaiti Williams
Williams was given his 40 minutes in the second half vs Argentina, and he showed he has not lost a beat with his injury-riddled start to his international season. I understand Ethan de Groot has done a great job to start the year, but for me, whenever Williams is fit, he gets the job.
Hooker: Codie Taylor
His 100th game didn’t end how many wanted with the loss in Buenos Aires, but in no way was that a fault of his own. I will sound like a broken record here, but Taylor is no doubt the best hooker in New Zealand and should be starting in this weekend’s gargantuan showdown.
Tight Head: Fletcher Newell
I am unsure of Tyrel Lomax’s status for this weekend’s clash, as he has been dealing with a few niggles this international season. However, that hasn’t been the biggest worry because Fletcher Newell has been an absolute stud in his absence, which is why I opt for him in the No. 3 jersey once again.
Lock: Fabian Holland
Holland has continued to dominate at lineout time, and in the contact area, he certainly hasn’t been pushed around with the step up. For me, even though he is tender in Test experience, he is one of the first names on the team sheet when taking on the Springboks.
Lock: Tupou Vaa’i
I would be stunned if this were to happen, but since it’s me choosing who I want to see for the All Blacks, I have Tupou Vaa’i shifting back into his more natural lock position, which indeed means captain Scott Barrett would miss out in my Starting XV. This is because I just think these two are the best locks New Zealand has to offer, and having Vaa’i on the blindside takes away from what makes him so special in the engine room.
Blindside Flanker: Simon Parker
Having Parker in the lineup is what would make that shift into lock work well for Vaa’i, because we know that size is critical for the All Blacks vs the Springboks. So, adding all 6’6”, 120 KGs of Simon Parker on the blindside means you aren’t missing a beat in that department, while also adding more athleticism to the pack.
Openside Flanker: Ardie Savea (c)
100th Test cap for Savea this weekend, and we all know he is the first name on the team sheet week in, week out. To me, he is the best No. 8 in the world, but what makes him so special is he’s better on the openside than at the back of the scrum, which is why I have him back in the 7 jersey this weekend.
Number Eight: Wallace Sititi
Like Williams, we saw the reigning Breakout Player of the Year come back from his injury woes and get a decent run against Los Pumas in the second Test of the Rugby Championship. With those minutes under his belt, I think there is no better time to unleash one of the most dynamic rugby players on earth than this weekend in Auckland.
Halfback: Kyle Preston
Now, I write this with cautious optimism that the reported injury Preston suffered in training was only something very minor. If that’s the case and he’s ready to go, it’s time to not live in our fears and give him a go off the rip. Rather than running out Finlay Christie at scrum-half, let’s see how Preston’s dynamic kicking game stacks up this weekend.
First Five: Beauden Barrett
Beauden, once again in my opinion, should be the conductor of the side this weekend, as I think he has been pretty good so far in the black jersey this season. Not much else to say other than he is the best game manager in the country, and I don’t think that’s a debate. So, him starting makes all the sense in the world.
Left Wing: Emoni Narawa
The wings were a massive area of contention for me this weekend, and I’ve gone all in with a complete overhaul here, which could seem like a bit of a risk. For me, giving Emoni Narawa a shot in the 11 jersey makes sense in this matchup because he’s a bigger body that provides a good aerial threat and someone who can come in and make a difference off the wing in phase play. Which personally I think is much a needed skill set against the Springboks
Second Five: Jordie Barrett
One of the names that you can’t question is Jordie Barrett, who has been one of the more physical and consistent All Blacks this season. He will be my number twelve this weekend, and the biggest hope I have for him is to see them use his kicking game more often.
Centre: Billy Proctor
I am about as big a Billy Proctor believer as there is out there, and even I was close to giving the 13 jersey to Faingaʻanuku this weekend. Not even because of Proctor’s play, who I thought he was the best All Black last time out, but because of the mercurial talent that Leicester Faingaʻanuku is, even after being away from the black jersey for a year or so. However, I have opted for Proctor this weekend just for continuity’s sake, with Faingaʻanuku coming off the bench.
Right Wing: Will Jordan
Another contentious change here, because Will Jordan is the most potent fullback in the world. Moving him to the wing in the biggest game of the year is a head-scratcher, but I think there is real room to improve the All Blacks’ work under the high ball. With that being the case, I think we all know South Africa will test the All Blacks early and often in the air, so to me, this move could make sense to counter that.
Fullback: Damian McKenzie
With Jordan moving to the wing, I would want to throw a bit of a wild card in Rassie Erasmus’s direction, and that would be to start Damian McKenzie at the back. We all know the electric running game he possesses, but I think his fearless nature under the high ball is something a few of his teammates could learn from. Not to be on repeat but it’s the exact skillset needed at the back in this encounter.
The Bench
16: Samisoni Taukei’aho
17: Ethan de Groot
18: Pasilio Tosi
19: Scott Barrett
20: Peter Lakai
21: Finlay Christie
22: Ruben Love
23: Leicester Faingaʻanuku