Great RWC opener

THE rugby match that rugby pundits have predicted to be the final match on November 2 will be played at International Stadium in Yokohama today.

The All Blacks will meet the Springboks in a pool that should see both teams make it into the quarters.

The All Blacks have won the Webb Ellis Cup three times (1987, 2011 and 2015) while the Springboks have won the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup twice (1995 and 2007).

Past matches between the All Blacks and Springboks have produced some mouth-watering clashes. This year at the “Cake Tin” both teams drew (16-16). Last year the ‘Boks skinned the All Blacks at the “Cake Tin” (36-34) and in the reverse fixture the visitors broke South African hearts winning (32-30).

NZ and South Africa have named powerful sides and it will be interesting to see Springbok coach’s game plan.

The ‘Boks will need to be organised in defence and make the most of the opportunities that they are given in the game.

The set pieces will be crucial for the men in green if they want to be dominant up front and in the tight phases and I’m sure that the Springboks will keep the game tight and force set pieces on the All Blacks, who are hurt that the last match against the ‘Boks did not go their way and their hopes of retaining the Rugby Championship were shattered.

I’m also banking on Steve Hansen to weave his bit of magic and name a powerful squad to tame the Springboks.

The darlings of rugby became the first team to win the Webb Ellis Cup three times and it will be interesting to see if they can complete the hat-trick.

The All Blacks have names in Coles, Taylor, Laulala, Moody, Ta’avao, Tu’ungafasi, Jordie, Scott and Beauden Barrett, Retallick, Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Cane, Read, Savea, Todd, Perenara, Aaron and Ben Smith, Mo’unga, Crotty, Goodhue, SBW, Bridge, Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Ioane while the Rassie Erasmus coached Springboks will rely on Marx, Kitshoff, Tendai, Etzebeth, Mostert, du Toit, Kolisi, Louw, Kwagga Smith, de Klerk, Jantjies, Pollard, Allende, Kriel, Kolbe, Nkosi, Willie le Roux, and Steyn.

The All Blacks face a mammoth task in creating another bit of history but I’m sure that the defending champions will rise to the occasion and defend the cup.

Go All Blacks go and all the best brothers! You rock!

RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM

Nadawa, Nasinu