With or Without you?

At Eden Park two weeks ago the All Blacks cemented their status as the worlds premier rugby team and with it the favourites tag for the World Cup. They had looked somewhat comfortable in defeating a wallaby side that most believe to be their greatest rivals to lift the Webb Ellis trophy on the same ground in late October. 

Today Graham Henry's men will climb another rung on the ladder if they can defeat the Bokke at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The challenge they have is to tame a beast that is fighting for respect and pride in the republic following a sub standard performance at King's  Park a week ago. As we have seen time again with the Boks when the chips are down they will revert to the style of rugby they know best. Bismarck starting at hooker ahead of John Smit is a clear indication of the physicality and brutality that the Boks will bring to the occasion particularly in the first quarter. Allied to this the selection of Morne Steyn at fly half would suggest that Israel Dagg will have a busy first afternoon back after his injury lay-off. 

The three wise men (Henry, Hansen and Smith) will learn a great deal about their charges today as they enter battle without two of their finest in Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter. Many of those to cast doubt on the All Blacks World Cup pedigree have frequently referred to the reliance that the ABs have on these two men. What team wouldn't miss players of this stature? They are after all the premier operators in their respective positions in world rugby.

In their Absence, Adam Thompson will complete his set of black back row jumpers as he wears seven with Henry handing the 10 jumper to Colin Slade in his run on debut. Thompson has been on the fringe of the squad for a couple of years now however his super rugby form as part of a rejuvenated highlanders side has seen him become a real threat to the combination of Kaino, Read and McCaw. As a direct replacement for McCaw it is paramount that he focus' his attentions on his ruck time combat with Heinrich Brousow whilst still looking to make an impact in the loose. As for Slade he will face a baptism of fire as he will without doubt be subject to bully boy tactics from Bakkies and his boys. The test of whether or not he is ready for this level and more importantly whether he is fit to deputise Carter at the RWC will be if he can dust himself off and maintain control whilst bringing the best out of the exciting back line outside him. Watch out in particular for the combination of SBW and Kahui with Sonny Bill describing this as the biggest test of his short union career. 

In my opinion the decision to leave McCaw and Carter behind was a calculated one from Henry. Yes they need rest having been part of a draining Super Rugby campaign with the much travelled Crusaders but to my mind Henry has manufactured an opportunity to see how the men in black cope in the absence of Richie and Dan in what will be a high pressure environment. It is after all much better to know sooner rather than later!