Men in the middle a poser for All Blacks

David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown went their separate ways after the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 38-21 in Perth on September 5.

At the time, it was assumed Havili and Lienert-Brown would produce more performances alongside each other in the All Blacks midfield during their stay in Australia, but with just one game remaining in the Rugby Championship, we’re still waiting.

It would be undercooking things to say getting Havili and Lienert-Brown back together on the field has proved difficult.

A high hamstring strain to the man known as ALB has complicated things. There has been one false start, at least.

Possible All Blacks team to face the Springboks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Ethan Blackadder, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

South African team: Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Kwagga Smith, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn.

Havili and Lienert-Brown were named at second five-eighth and centre for the fixture against the Pumas on the Gold Coast on September 12, until it was revealed on game-day that Lienert-Brown was out. His late withdrawal resulted in Rieko Ioane being promoted to start alongside Havili.

The following week, in the rematch against the Pumas in Brisbane, Quinn Tupaea and Ioane played at No 12 and 13 as the

All Blacks notched their eighth straight win for the season.

Last weekend, when the All Blacks squeezed home 19-17 against the Springboks in Townsville, it was the HaviliIoane combination that was rolled out in the midfield.

Lienert-Brown wasn’t considered, said coach Ian Foster, because his hamstring wasn’t right. He had lost his race against the timekeeper.

The team to play the

Springboks on the Gold Coast on Saturday night will be named today; this week selector Grant Fox suggested there could be a couple of changes.

Lienert-Brown, if fit, looms as a contender to secure a starter’s jersey. His experience, 52 test appearances since 2016, could ensure the All Blacks react with more alacrity to the Springboks’ umbrella defence which unsettled them in Townsville.

Should Lienert-Brown be reunited with Havili, Ioane could be shifted to the left wing in place of George Bridge, allowing Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett to remain in the other two positions in the back field.

First five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, having been in quarantine for two weeks after delaying his arrival in Australia following paternity leave, hasn’t played since the 57-22 win over the Wallabies on August 14.

Retaining Beauden Barrett at first-five appeals as a sensible option.

Foster may keep his tight five intact, but the back row could change. If openside flanker Dalton Papalii recovers from a hamstring issue, which prevented his selection last weekend, Foster could start him and keep captain Ardie Savea at No 8.

Luke Jacobson’s withdrawal at late notice in Townsville, due to an upset stomach, meant Ethan Blackadder started at openside and Savea dropped to the back of the scrum in the absence of Jacobson.

To omit Blackadder, who was a reliable option at the front of the lineout when the Springboks stacked the middle with big men, would be tough on him.

He could, potentially, shift to blindside flanker. If not, Akira Ioane may get another chance at No 6. That could be a close call.