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Boks suspect major bluff
23/08/2005 21:33 - (SA)
Hennie Brandt, Beeld
Dunedin - A smokescreen or a major bluff?
This question was discussed intensely in the Springbok camp after All Blacks coach Graham Henry named Leon MacDonald as flyhalf in place of the injured Daniel Carter for the Tri-Nations Test against South Africa on Saturday.
The gifted utility back is the only change to the team that beat Australia 30-13 in Sydney earlier this month.
Two changes have been made to the replacement bench. Doug Howlett replaces MacDonald and Sione Lauaki is the replacement loose forward in place of Marty Holah.
Everyone expected Luke McAlister would wear the No 10 jersey on Saturday.
Henry said, however, that he decided to choose MacDonald because of his experience.
Henry said: "Leon has always played in this position and he was the best flyhalf in the NPC series (New Zealand's provincial series) last weekend. He has a lot of experience in this position and would have played in the third Test against the British Lions. (McAlister played flyhalf because both Carter and MacDonald were injured).
We decided to go with experience (MacDonald has played in 29 Tests), because Piri Weepu as scrumhalf is still inexperienced."
Boks are not convinced
The Boks are not convinced that MacDonald will play flyhalf on Saturday. They believe it will be McAlister, who with his strength and length could be used more effectively to cross the advantage line.
Bok coach Jake White said: "This is an interesting choice. We expected McAlister to play against us, because he was so effective in the third Test against the British Lions. They obviously have a plan. We must just choose the best possible team to beat the All Blacks."
The Boks' backline coach, Allister Coetzee said: "We did not think MacDonald would be the flyhalf. We have never seen him play flyhalf in the Super 12 series. It is a feather in our cap that they chose him.
"It shows they need experience to counter our intensity and they want to give themselves the best possible chance to beat us. It does not matter how they play. We must make sure we round off every opportunity we get on Saturday," Coetzee said.
The All Blacks backline coach, Wayne Smith, said the experience of the inside centre, Aaron Mauger, would have a calming effect on MacDonald and Weepu.
The All Blacks team: Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Tana Umaga (c), Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko, Leon MacDonald, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: Darren Witcombe, Greg Somerville, James Ryan, Sione Lauaki, Kevin Senio, Luke McAlister, Doug Howlett.
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