History returns to Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the guise of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry when the touring All Blacks take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks this evening in their second tour match.
Coaching the team that will take on New Zealand’s finest is JP Pietersen who has been putting his Vodacom United Rugby Championship squad through their paces.
“We’ve prepped the boys as well as we could to make them as robust as possible for thus game, to be as competitive as we can at this stage of our pre-season,” he explained on Monday.
“We know the All Blacks pride themselves on ball possession, we also want to have a go and to put in action what we’ve been working on in pre-season.”
Pietersen has selected a somewhat youthful team but one he knows will do the jersey proud.
“They bring youth and energy which they will definitely show, as well as the fight. We want to be competitive for the full 80 minutes and give it a good go. We have some experience from the SA ‘A’ side, they’re players close to international level, so we have a great side.
“It will be a great contest, with the youth using this opportunity to test themselves against experience like Jordie Barrett and Damian Mckenzie. It will be a great battle for them to see how they go against a quality team.”
The inclusion of Ma’a Nonu is a real talking point, and Pietersen feels that the input of former All Black, a veteran of an incredible 103 Tests, bodes well for his younger players.
“His name says it all, he brings his experience and has been great helping guys like Jurenzo Julius, Lili Bester and Zekhethelo Siyaya learn how to prep and get ready for games.
“He’s also helped a lot with skillsets and it’s great that he’s been here with us and giving our young boys a feel of what the All Blacks may bring and what to expect.
“It’s been great having him around, he’s slotted in like he’s always been here and the boys love him.
“I think it’s going to be an emotional game for Ma’a.”
In two late changes, Emile van Heerden has been ruled out injured, with his place in the starting line-up taken by Deon Slabbert, while Vincent Tshituka has a concussion and his place on the bench is taken by Corne Rahl.
“This is a great occasion for the union, as well as the players who will be facing the Haka, it’s massive and really awesome,” said Pietersen.
“I think the last tour was 30 years ago and we played the boys a video of that to show how amazing it is to be part of it. Now they get the opportunity to wear the jersey against the great All Blacks team.
“It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
