Franks to calm the Beast?

Franks has been selected for the All Blacks team that had lost to the Boks 29-19 this Saturday past. I've only seen short “stints” of Franks' game but last Saturday I saw there was a considerable change in the All Blacks scrum pack. Maybe he could be the “difference maker” that New Zealand needs.

In my personal opinion New Zealand is an awesome team but their tactical ploys to stop South Africa's scrum pack which they often employ is rather juvenile. The one question I would like to ask the whole coaching staff of the All Blacks is: Why target the scrum? Is that what they believe is the key to South Africa's success?

Franks takes over from Neemia Tialata, this Saturday who has been suffering with a knee injury for the past few weeks.
“We probably could have included Neemia if we had to but the problem is that he cannot train all week and walking around the field is no way to prepare for a test match against the best team (that being South Africa) in the world, we would want him to be involved all week,” said coach Graham Henry.

In the South African camp, I'm going to give Peter De Villiers a chance seeing as a previous article I posted, made someone speak out about my opinions on the South African coach. I see the point some people try to make by saying De Villiers has a good history as a coach, but my concern is now! I'm a patriot and I believe we can win each and every game. Yes, bring through the youngsters so they get experience but don't make six changes which will confuse the team. If you look at previous tests we were white-washed while New Zealand kept the best team on till the end with one or two youngsters. In cricket Australia have done the same; they took the last series 4-0 a few years back. If you look at soccer Brazil always utilises their most experienced player so they don't lose that edge they have over the rest of the world.

Yes, we won this Saturday, but what if we lose the next game due to the addition of new faces? One loss could send us back to the way we were a couple years back, where we could hardly win a match.

Like I said before I totally agree to change and growth in the team but bring through the youngsters in moderation and try not to change the whole dynamic of the team to the point where one player can't anticipate his team mate's next move.

Source: supersport.com