Tri Nations 2008
Boric starts for the All Blacks
July 12, 2008
All Blacks lock Anthony Boric shows his disappointment following Tri Nations defeat to South Africa at Carisbrook, July 12 2008
All Blacks lock Anthony Boric will make his first Test start against the Springboks © Getty Images
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The All Blacks have made two changes to their tight five for the second Tri-Nations rugby test against South Africa here on Saturday.

The humble scrum was a focal point for multiple reasons as the All Blacks made two tweaks to their engine room for the second Tri-Nations rugby test against South Africa here on Saturday.

One swap was enforced, with lock Anthony Boric to make his first test start in place of the suspended Brad Thorn, while John Afoa makes a surprise return at tighthead prop in place of rested 60-test veteran Greg Somerville.

Afoa was injured in the opening test a month ago against Ireland and Somerville had impressed since, although he made handling mistakes in Saturday's 19-8 defeat of the Springboks at Wellington.

The coaches was also unhappy with the front row "hits" on scrum engagement.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry was far from engaging, however, when quizzed on accusations of illegal scrummaging from Peter de Villiers, his Springboks counterpart.

De Villiers said All Blacks loosehead Tony Woodcock manipulated the pre-hit routine to ensure the front rows were not stationary and then bored in to disrupt possession.

Henry and forwards coach Steve Hansen both noted England had complained about something similar when they were here last month.

"Each week we keep hearing people complain about our scrum," a circumspect Hansen said.

"We've got a good scrum, we want to scrum and we look forward to scrummaging on Saturday."

Henry said the All Blacks' full reply was in the form of a post-test report from scrum coach Mike Cron, which would go to the International Rugby Board and is forwarded to the other Tri-Nations combatants.

"He (Cron) is probably the world guru on scrums, with all due respect to the rest of the world. I think he gives us an advantage, he's very good at that part of the game."

De Villiers said the New Zealanders had incurred 21 penalties and free kicks for scrum offences over three tests last month.

Those figures couldn't be ratified today although the All Blacks were clearly disruptive in those games.

Statistics show the hosts cleanly won 29 of their 33 awarded scrums in the June tests while Ireland and England only won 22 of their 47. Their other scrum feeds resulted in lost possession or resets.

Henry also wouldn't advance his post-test insinuations that South Africa had employed over-physical, off-the-ball tactics at Wellington. He said he had written his views in another private report to the IRB.

Meanwhile, Henry admitted Thorn would be hard to replace but had faith in Boric to step up after two encouraging reserve bench appearances against England.

"Brad Thorn's an experienced footballer who has played a lot of big-time sport who can handle the occasion and give us a physical presence. All of those things you're going to miss," Henry said.

"But the other fella (Boric) comes in fresh, excited, good lineout player, good athlete.

"He's done everything he can... so he's just waiting to get the opportunity. I'm sure he will nail it."

Uncapped Chiefs lock Kevin O'Neill is promoted to the reserve bench.

Henry said starting lock Ali Williams was still suffering from the sprained ankle that put his participation in doubt last week before playing superbly in his 50th test.

"He's probably a wee bit sorer than he was last week actually," Henry said.

"I'd imagine he'll take part a wee bit more this week because of the increased stability but we have to look after him."

The mobile Afoa's introduction was a reward for his improved Super 14 season -- particularly his scrummaging -- with the Blues, Hansen said.

He had recovered from a knee niggle and played a club game since limping off against Ireland.

"Yoda (Somerville) has had a really big season with the Crusaders and he's played the last two tests," Hansen said.

"He's a bit sore so we've taken the opportunity to bring Johnny back in and give Yoda the opportunity to bounce back from that."

Henry stressed the world champion Springboks would be stinging from their loss and would almost certainly improve this week.

"This test will be much tougher than last week and last week was extremely tough," Henry said.

"The South Africans are a very good side and they'll play a lot better than they did last week.

"So we think we're in for a hell of a week... it will be more demanding."

South Africa have turned to a proven combination to help them achieve success in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Springboks selectors today responded to their 8-19 loss in Wellington last weekend by making three changes.

One was forced on them, with regular captain John Smit already on his way home to get treatment for a groin injury suffered in the opening test.

Hooker Bismarck du Plessis will start in his place, with Schalk Brits taking du Plessis' place on the bench.

Of more significance is the dropping of fullback Conrad Jantjes and winger Odwa Ndungane for veteran Percy Montgomery and JP Pietersen respectively.

With the electric Bryan Habana on the other wing, the Springboks will field the same back three combination which served them so well en route to winning last year's World Cup.

The South Africans hope these three can defuse the threat of All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter's kicking game, which was so influential on the outcome in Wellington.

Jantjes was excellent in his general play in that test but Montgomery, who will play his 98th test on Saturday, has a superior kicking game, which the South Africans hope can gain them field position.

The changes reflect the fact the South Africans are convinced the second test will again be a tightly contested affair, with tactical kicking a potentially crucial factor.

"We are expecting more wet, cold weather and snow down there (Dunedin) and we have opted for a left and a right boot in Monty and Butch (first five-eighth Butch James," coach Peter de Villiers said before his head headed to Dunedin today.

"I know that JP is much better in the kicking game than Odwa Ndungane also.

"If we are caught and bogged down in our own 22 we've got enough ammunition to get out of there.

"There are certain attributes that the players we've brought in do have and I think we will need them, especially down there (Dunedin)."

The world champion Springboks were far from impressive in Wellington.

Their physical commitment was beyond question but they made far too many errors to stretch the All Blacks, and there could have been a strong case for de Villiers to make more personnel changes.

He decided otherwise.

"We trust the players who didn't have a good run on Saturday -- all of us know that, the players know that," de Villiers said.

Lock Victor Matfield, who has inherited the captaincy from Smit, suggested the Springboks would not be lacking motivation on Saturday.

One player whose place was never in doubt was lock Bakkies Botha, who is set for his 50th test appearance since his debut against France in 2001.

The workhorse of the Springboks pack, Botha said the personal milestone counted for little.

As always, the result was more important than anything else.

"It's an honour but at the end of the day it's all about us improving on the Wellington test."

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Willliams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Kevin O'Neill, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.

Replacements: Schalk Britz, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.

Referee: M. Goddard

Touch Judges: J. Leckie, P. Marks

TMO: G. Ayoub

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