Well, it has rolled around again, another season of Tri Series, another three matches against the Boers and the Shackle Draggers.  It would not be so bad if the three tests were part of a series that included the words 'tour' and 'midweek games', but it doesn't, unfortunately.  No, it is the play the same opponents 400 times a year Tri series.

The game though, All Blacks versus South Africa, has plenty of spice (don't they always), the Boers arriving on these shores as the current RWC holders.  They have not beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand since 1998, that year of the four losses on the trot.  A 13-3 win over the Taine Randell led men in black.  This must be their best chance since then to win a match though, with, what is it, 12 RWC All Blacks gone, the rugby nation divided with the reappointment of the Cartel coaching, and most importantly, the All Blacks with no McCaw.

Losing McCaw could almost be a last straw for the forward pack, that over the last few years, arguably, has been the best in the world.  Joining McCaw, watching the game from their lounges, from last seasons starting pack, are Jerry Collins (48 tests), Chris Jack (67), Carl Hayman (45) and Anton Oliver (59).  Half the forward pack, 219 caps between them.  Adding in McCaw, the last straw, you are removing 281 test caps from this All Black forward pack. 

To be fair though, even with the removal of all that experience, you have coming into the starting side plenty of experience too - Somerville with more tests to his name than Hayman.  Brad Thorn with I think it is over 300 first grade rugby league matches, including State of Origin and league test matches, and of course Hore and Mealamu at hooker or no rookies.

So the tight forwards are still pretty comparable to the Boers, and in fact I would like to think that our front row is superior to the Boer trio.  Perhaps not by a great deal, but I think the blokes in the black jersies will have a slight edge here.

It is in the back five, the back three in particular that we are babes in arms.  The South Afrrican all have more than 40 tests to their names.  For the All Blacks, debutant captain Rodney So'oialo is the only one with the same, 48 tests in his career.  He however has a bit of extra on his plate this weekend, a big fat 'C' beside his name, and on the back of his jersey, a big white seven, a jersey he has worn once before at test level.  However, it is not all bad news on that front, as the All Blacks in their last test with McCaw and Thomson were not playing openside and blindside flankers, they were playing left and right.  I expect they will do the same in this test.  Makes life a bit easier all round I suspect, even perhaps improving your scrum, as props will get used to flankers, and His Cron-ness will be able to optimise the push factor here!!

Thomson and Kaino though, 6 tests between them.  Definitely an experience gap here.  Not though, a talent or ability gap.  Thomson burst onto the scene this Super 14, and at the moment, would be the find of the All Black season.  Raw boned probably the most used adjective to describe him, but oh so fitting!  He is bloody fast too, a Blackadder never say die attitude, and was born with a body that seems to posses 18 elbows.  Much the same way that another flanker that reminds me of him, Mark Shaw was born with 18 sets of knuckles...  Kaino is at last showing the form that her promised for so many years since what was it, the Northern tour in 2004.  They will also both have plenty to prove - Kaino perhaps too his All Black team mates more than to us fans, after his driving deeds over the last week!

There has been plenty of doubt about So'oialo at flank for this game, many thinking he won't be fast enough.  Perhaps against the Australians it would be cause for concern.  It is the Boers though, so probably not quite so bad, and his two fellow loosies, the rookies, they are no slow pokes around the park anyway.  It will almost be arriving as one at breakdowns - much like the Boers do, who also have no genuine openside flyer.  bring it on.

Locking department is a worry.  With Ali Williams doubtful, we could end up with Thorn and Boric, 17 tests matches, facing up to Matfield and Botha, the best lock pairing in the world today, with 118 test matches to their credit.  I have no problem with Thorn butting heads with them, in fact am looking forward to that, it will be a mini game in itself.  Boric though, hell, he scares me, he is a boy, learning the trade.  I don't think he is ready for the big step up - I would prefer Eaton to be there, but there you go, the Cartel begs to differ.  So fingers crossed that Williams makes the grade, even for 60 minutes, by then the test will be won and lost, and Boric won't effect the outcome.  I hope Boric proves me wrong should he get the start, but at the same time, hope he does not get the chance to prove me wrong!

The back divisions, well, we are weak at halfback, and unproven in the midfield (at this level).  I have no problems with Smith and Nonu, while unproven, it is only a matter of time before they are an accepted quality combination at the highest level.  Ellis though, he frightens me more than the thought of Boric in a starting jersey.  He strikes me as a player filling in the nine shirt until someone comes along to claim it for their own.  With Leonard gone, Cowan on the turps all the time, and Weepu investing heavily at McDonalds, Ellis is the last man standing for that vital position.  Again, I hope to be proven wrong...

Otherwise, I am happy that the All Black backline has more than the measure of the Steriod Brutes blouse boys.  Providing their boys up front can contain, or, perhaps, subdue the men of the South African eight. 

Of the South African team, a couple of thoughts, not on their quality etc, as we know that any team wearing the Sprinbiok on their chest will be quality.  A couple of their selections though, are they the best players available, or there for the 'feel good factor'.  Yes, Cheeky Watson's son, and Percy Montgomery.  Is Luke Watson really one of the five best loose forwards in South Africa?  And why do you put a 34 year old, who can cover only one position on the rugby field, onto the bench?  Unless you want him to be the first Boer to 100 tests, and are going to baby him through to that landmark?  Should be starting, or wearing his blazer in the stand come Saturday.

Regardless, all of the above means nothing, the slate is clear in less than 48 hours.  It is 15 men in black, 15 men in green, getting ready to write another chapter in the history of the greatest rivalry in the game - All Blacks versus South Africa.

Bring it on.

head to head from the rugby museum