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Super Rugby sides named for semis: Canes bench Savea

Canes coach Chris Boyd has wielded the axe

All four teams have been named for this weekend’s Super Rugby semi finals, with the Crusaders naming an unchanged 23 for their match against the Chiefs at AMI Stadium on Saturday evening NZT.

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Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Sam Whitelock (C), 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (VC), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Seta Tamanivalu, 12. Ryan Crotty (VC), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Israel Dagg, 15. David Havili

Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. George Bridge

They’ll be facing a Chiefs team welcoming back Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams to the starting lineup.

Chiefs: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Tim Nanai-Williams, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12.Charlie Ngatai, 11. James Lowe, 10. Aaron Cruden (co-c), 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8. Michael Leitch, 7. Sam Cane (co-c), 6. Liam Messam, 5. Brodie Retallick, 4. Mitchell Brown, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Nathan Harris, 1. Kane Hames.

Reserves: 16. Liam Polwart, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Dominic Bird, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Stephen Donald, 23. Shaun Stevenson

Over in Johannesburg, the Lions have also named an unchanged 23 for their semi final against the Hurricanes:

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Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Kwagga Smith, 6. Jaco Kriel (c), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.

Reserves: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Johannes Jonker, 19. Lourens Erasmus, 20. Cyle Brink, 21. Faf de Klerk, 22. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23. Sylvian Mahuza.

The visitors have made the most eye-raising change, dropping All Black wing Julian Savea in favour of Wes Goosen. Vince Aso comes back in at centre, meaning Jordie Barrett goes to fullback and Nehe Milner-Skudder shifts to the wing. Veteran Cory Jane is squeezed off the bench and probably into waterboy duties. It’s a repeat of last year’s scenario for Savea, who was axed for the entire finals campaign for Jason Woodward.

Hurricanes: 15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13. Vince Aso, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Wes Goosen, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Brad Shields, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Vaea Fifita, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Mark Abbott, 3. Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (c), 1. Ben May.

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Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Loni Uhila, 19. Reed Prinsep, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Otere Black, 23. Julian Savea

 

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Nickers 23 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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