Three All Blacks players Dave Rennie MUST bring in for must-win fourth Test

A rowdy, packed crowd of 86,000 in Soweto saw an incredibly physical game of rugby between two of the strongest teams in the world. Both teams struggled to build consistent momentum and speed in attack, but in the end, it was the Springboks who took control in the final 20 minutes and put the game to bed. One big reason was winning the physicality battle, as the Springboks were making more metres in scrums, mauls and rucks, and constantly repelled the All Blacks’ counter-attacks.

In the end, the All Blacks’ discipline got the better of them once again. They struggled with the intensity of the Springboks’ physicality and strong defence in the back end of the game and were conceding penalty after penalty, slowly killing the game for them.

Ardie Savea’s brace made him the highest try-scoring forward in rugby history, but his historic night was spoiled as he picked up a shoulder injury late in the first half and was subbed off. Another injury to Quinn Tupaea early in the second half means Dave Rennie has decisions to make regarding the outcome of the two injuries.

The All Blacks go again in the fourth test in one week’s time in Baltimore, as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry comes to an end.

TRIES: 4 (Savea 11’, 26’, Jordan 55’, Taukei’aho 80+2’)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Love 12’, McKenzie 80+3’)

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Love 36’)

RED CARDS: 0

TRIES: 3 (Arendse 21’ Kriel 58’, Marx 66’)

CONVERSIONS: 2 (Feinberg-Mngomezulu 59’, 67’)

PENALTIES: 1 (Feinberg-Mngomezulu 71’)

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Feinberg-Mngomezulu 10’)

RED CARDS: 0

The third Test ended in disappointment for the All Blacks, as they are now down 2-1 in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and can no longer win this series. Their only hope is that, with the fourth Test moving to Baltimore in the United States, it gives the All Blacks a big opportunity to draw the series without the rampant South African crowd, which will take a lot of the pressure off.

Injuries and performances in this game will heavily impact Dave Rennie’s selection for the fourth Test and final game of this tour. Much will need to be thought about as the All Blacks’ discipline faltered again, and they fell to the Springboks’ tight defence and ability to control the tempo of the game.

The squad will be announced later this week, but here are three players that Rennie must select in the squad for the fourth Test.

Ethan de Groot has been sidelined since the first Test after a head knock with teammate Josh Lord. Updates on his concussion will continue to come through, but it was evident that the All Blacks missed his presence on the field. His overall strength, tackling and extra weight in the scrum would have made a major impact as the All Blacks struggled to win the physicality battle and eventually lost the game in the final 20 minutes.

Unfortunately for Rennie, injuries have been a major asterisk for the All Blacks this tour, forcing many replacements both in line-ups and in the full squad. But if de Groot is cleared to play, Rennie will have no issue starting the big man.

One more week until the fourth Test in Baltimore, but if de Groot is fully fit, he can make a huge impact as the All Blacks look to conclude the series with a win and a series tie.

Wallace Sititi has had an excellent tour so far and started on the bench today. However, a shoulder injury to Ardie Savea in the first half meant Sititi’s work started early. He played amazingly alongside Peter Lakai, constantly breaking lines and making metres, stepping up big time to try to fill the big shoes of Ardie.

Ardie’s shoulder injury does look serious, giving fans and Rennie cause for concern about his availability for the fourth and final Test in one week’s time. The All Blacks captain, on a record-breaking night, was also sorely missed as the All Blacks eventually succumbed to the Springboks’ pressure and struggled to gain momentum.

In a post-game interview, Dave Rennie said that Ardie will not travel to Baltimore, meaning changes will have to be made as the All Blacks lose their captain and one of their most important pieces on the field. But this gives Sititi and Lakai a big opportunity to work together and salvage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry for the All Blacks.

What might come as a surprise to many fans is that Beauden Barrett has not featured against the Springboks in any of the three Tests. However, at a wider glance, it is not surprising. The 35-year-old had a disappointing Super Rugby season with the Blues and had a rocky start to this tour in the opening game against the Stormers, and Rennie has given his full trust to Ruben Love against the Springboks.

However, Love struggled to find his footing tonight, especially with his conversions, as Damian McKenzie ended up replacing him for the final conversion. The 25-year-old has stepped up massively on this tour, claiming the starting number 10 spot for the near future, and has matched the intensity of the Springboks players and crowd and handled himself incredibly well. But he has also played 80 minutes in all three Tests, with no replacement number 10 named on the bench.

Going into the fourth Test, adding Beauden’s experience will be a big plus for the All Blacks. Looking to tie the series in America, an addition on the bench might take some of the load and pressure off Love, and when it’s his night, he controls the game to such a high level that it would be difficult for the Springboks to dominate