register to 888sport
888sport time:

Preview Based News

All Blacks seeking revenge

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 31/07/2009

South Africa clash with New Zealand for the second time in a week as they look to assert a significant advantage in the race to be crowned Tri-Nations champions.

The 2007 World Champions dispatched the All Blacks with a 28-19 victory in Bloemfontein on Saturday. But Graham Henry's charges have the chance for another crack at the Springboks in Durban this weekend, in what could turn out to be a must-win match if the All Blacks are to retain their Tri-Nations crown.

All Black Jerome Kaino has admitted that he and his fellow forwards were second best to their South African counterparts on Saturday, something which will need to change if his side is to avoid a second successive defeat.

"Personally I think they got one up on us," said the blindside flanker. "We really put a lot of focus on attacking their drive and didn't really get in there.

"The big work-on for us is the lineout and the scrum and hopefully next week in Durban we can lay a better platform for our backs to work off."

And New Zealand forwards coach Steve Hansen has pointed out that his players will have to improve technically if they are to turn over the Boks this week.

South Africa fans will be buoyed by the news that Bryan Habana will be available to make his 50th Test appearance this week.

Reports that he breached team discipline guidelines in the wake of Saturday's win in Bloemfontein have been denied and the speedster is set to reach the milestone against the All Blacks this week.

Can Habana help South Africa edge closer to the Tri-Nations crown? Latest Rugby Union Betting

Springboks head coach Peter de Villiers will also be happy with the form of fly-half Ruan Pienaar, who failed to impress in the Test series with the British & Irish Lions.

Pienaar crossed for a try and booted a penalty in Saturday's Tri-Nations win to ease fears that he was short of confidence. He limped from the field on Saturday, but is expected to be fit ahead of Saturday.

With Morne Steyn continuing to impress from the bench, South Africa have a clear authority over the All Blacks in the fly-half position with Dan Carter not yet fit for international selection.

Henry has described the Springboks as the best South Africa side he has been pitted against and his side will again start as sportsbook outsiders ahead of the clash at Kings Park.

But a second-half fightback in last week's game from the All Blacks will spark provide hope for Henry, who is set to make changes this week.

online betting