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UPDATED - Lions & Springbok Team Announcements
02/07/09 12:40 Filed in: Team Announcement | Springboks
Both the Lions and the Springboks have named their sides for the third and final test. The teams are as follows:
British & Irish Lions |
Springboks 15. Zane Kirchner 14. Odwa Ndungane 13. Jaque Fourie 12. Wynand Olivier 11. Jongi Nokwe 10. Morné Steyn 9. Fourie du Preez 8. Ryan Kankowski 7. Juan Smith 6. Heinrich Brüssow 5. Victor Matfield 4. Johann Muller 3. John Smit (c) 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle 1. Tendai Mtawarira Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Gurthrö Steenkamp 18. Deon Carstens 19. Steven Sykes 20. Pierre Spies 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Frans Steyn |
Both sides feature considerable changes. The Lions, mainly enforced by injury, while the Boks, who have lost two players to suspension, field a new look side with the clear intent of blooding a few youngsters. The Lions make 7 changes to their starting XV with one positional change - Tommy Bowe comes into the outside centre role, while Ugo Monye returns to take his position on the wing.
The Lions lost both centres and both props to injury during the second test, and Phil Vickery returns to the side alongside Matthew Rees and Andy Sheridan in the front row. Vickery experienced a torrid time in the series opener, but scrum coach Graham Rowntree is expecting the Wasps player to bounce back, "I've no doubt if selected he'll go out there and give a good display."
An all new centre pairing of Riki Flutey and regular winger Tommy Bowe takes the field in place of the injured Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Williams defies his critics to claim a wing berth. The successful lock pairing of Shaw and O'Connell gets it's second run out, while in the back row Martyn Williams swaps his place on the bench with David Wallace and Joe Worsley comes into the side at the expense of Tom Croft who drops to the bench.
Luke Fitzgerald can count himself unlucky. After a solid display in the second test the management have clearly decided to gamble and thrown the mercurial but hugely out of form Williams into the mix. Ronan O'Gara is also relegated from the bench after an unfortunate ten minute cameo in the dying minutes of the second test. James Hook takes his place on the reserves bench.
Commenting on his selection Head Coach Ian McGeechan said, "A British & Irish Lions tour is a unique experience for players in the busy, modern professional rugby calendar. The 2009 Lions have thrown themselves into the spirit of the tour, have interacted with the people of South Africa and shown themselves to be great ambassadors for northern hemisphere rugby."
"As a squad they have met many challenges on the tour including playing two matches per week, the inevitable injuries and two narrow Test losses. Despite this they have remained a tight, focussed squad and I know those playing in the Third Test will give their all to ensure that we achieve a victory on Saturday."
"It is fair to say injuries have had an impact on the tour as you would expect including selection for the Third Test as we were unfortunate to lose Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones through injury last Saturday. However, the players coming into the starting XV are all talented international players and are as keen as ever to turn the tables on the Springboks. Last Saturday we were minutes away from winning and that is a huge positive to take into the Third Test."
"Andrew Sheridan, Joe Worsley and Martyn Williams will all be part of a Lions starting XV for the first time. Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, skipper Paul O'Connell and Jamie Heaslip will earn the distinction of being in the starting XV for all three Test matches."
Tour manager Gerald Davies added, "The tour has been a wonderful experience and the team spirit has confirmed the best traditions of the Lions continues. The tour concludes on Saturday with the third and final Test in Johannesburg. The players are determined to ensure that all their hard work during the 10-match tour is rewarded with a Test victory. There is no doubt that little has separated the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks so far in what has been a tremendous series. Saturday should prove to be another great match."
The Springboks also make a host of changes, introducing Zane Kirchner of the Blue Bulls at fullback for his first cap and Morné Steyn for his first start in the Springbok jersey after his match winning super-sub effort last week.
In the pack, Bismarck du Plessis makes way for Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johann Muller makes his first start for two years in place of the banned Bakkies Botha while Brussow comes in for the banned Burger. Ryan Kankowski is handed the number 8. shirt in place of Pierre Spies after the man mountain failed to have the impact some, including myself thought he would.
Behind the scrum, South Africa field an entirely new backline with only scrum-half Fourie du Preez retained from the 2nd test. Olivier partners second test try scorer Jaque Fourie in the centres while Odwa Ndungane and Jongi Nokwe both start on the wing adding to their fledgling international careers.
Clarifying his intent to widen the Springbok player base, head coach Peter De Villiers had the following to say on the selection. “This is a very strong side. At the end of the Vodacom Super 14 I wanted to have 28 players who could play for the Springboks at any time and I think we’ve achieved that goal. I’m very happy with this selection."
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