Different approaches from World Cup contenders in final warm-ups

The excitement for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup will intensify this weekend as all the top contenders play their final warm-up matches ahead of a tournament that is now just two weeks away.

The quality of the opposition faced in their first Pool games of the World Cup has determined the selection policies of the respective coaches, with the Springboks at full strength for their game against Japan and their first World Cup opponents not far off it for their final warm-up game against Tonga in Hamilton.

BARRETT BACK AT FLYHALF

The interesting feature of the All Black team for the game against the Pacific island team is the return of Beauden Barrett to his more regular flyhalf position, something that was always going to be on the cards of course as Richie Mo’unga is struggling with a shoulder injury.

Ireland, who rather bizarrely could find themselves as the No 1 ranked team in the world after this weekend, which just underlines how questionable the official rankings are, are also reportedly opting to go full strength as they head into their final match against Wales in desperate need of a good win after a rather weak build-up that featured a humiliating defeat to England.

The Irish play Scotland, their biggest Pool rivals, in Yokohama in the first round of the competition so unlike some of the other teams they can’t afford to waste time in getting everything in sync. The likes of England, who play Tonga first up, and Australia, who start against Fiji, may feel they have a bit more leeway, which is probably why both of them have chosen mix and match outfits.

It is a big risk that Wallaby coach Michael Cheika is taking though as his team prepare to host Samoa at the new Bankwest Stadium in Sydney on Saturday. It will be recalled that the Australians famously lost a warm-up game to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand to Samoa and they arguably never really recovered from that 32-23 defeat.

If you look at the names on the Samoa team sheet - many of their players are experienced and respected Super Rugby performers - the islanders have a good chance of making history repeat itself.

POCOCK TO CAPTAIN WALLABIES

Cheika has chosen a team that will be captained by David Pocock on his long-awaited return from injury but which features several players who will not be playing at the World Cup. One of those players is veteran hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who will be playing his 90th game in the Wallaby jersey and probably his last if he isn’t called up to the World Cup as an injury-enforced replacement as he announced his retirement from international rugby this week.

The other players playing in this game but not going to the World Cup include Tom Banks, Luke Jones, Liam Wright, Rob Valetini and Nick Phipps. There is method in including these players in the final warm-up game as they will all be on the reserve list and need game time in case injuries necessitate call-ups during the seven weeks of the World Cup.

It is understandable that Cheika doesn’t want to risk all his front-liners against the Samoans. During this weekend's games, where the superstitious minded will all be doing their variations of touching wood as they hope for their teams to emerge from the games with a clean slate in terms of injuries, it is arguably the Wallabies and All Blacks who are taking the biggest risk.

Samoa and Tonga are both feared for their physical and aggressive approach, which means potentially tournament-ruining big hits for their opponents. Just ask Jean de Villiers, who was ruled out of the bulk of the 2007 tournament with a torn bicep sustained in the opening game against Samoa in Paris. Or for that matter Frans Steyn, who got to profit in 2007 by playing in De Villiers’ place but was then injured against Samoa in 2011 and ruled out for the tournament.

Barrett’s return to the No 10 in the All Black team gives the Kiwis a bit of a new look at the back as Ryan Crotty is also back in the No 12 jersey. The New Zealanders are a long way from complete full strength and are keeping the Boks guessing as to their intentions for Yokohama in just over a fortnight, but most of the big names are there. Ben Smith returns at fullback for Barrett.

JONES CHOOSES EXPERIMENTAL ENGLAND TEAM

England feature three players not going to the World Cup in their team for the final warm-up game against Italy in Newcastle, a game that will be played just a matter of hours before the England squad boards the plane to Tokyo. Harlequins centre Joe Marchant will make his first test start as Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph are both sidelined at present, while Exeter’s Matt Kvesic and Bath’s Charlie Ewels are named on the bench.

“For us the game is another important step to develop our game fitness and game strategy,” England coach Eddie Jones told reporters at the team announcement press conference.

“We have gone with a mix and match selection policy to develop our adaptability and the team’s ability to cope with any situation. We have had a solid training week in Treviso with hot conditions so we are looking forward to testing ourselves against Italy on Friday night. Then we hop on the plane and are ready to go to Japan.”

England, who have enjoyed a mostly impressive build-up phase to the World Cup, have based themselves in Treviso, Italy for the past week in an attempt to maximise the heat. Of course Jones, as the former Japan head coach, will know more than most about the conditions that the teams will encounter at the World Cup.

WALES LIKELY TO OPT FOR STRONG SIDE BUT NO BIGGAR

Wales were yet to name their team at the time of writing but were poised to go for a strong side for their final warm-up clash with Ireland in Dublin, also on Saturday. But there will be some big names missing, with Rhys Patchwell set to start ahead of Dan Biggar at No 10 and Elliot Dee slated to start ahead of first choice Ken Owens at hooker.

While Biggar will be missing, the first choice centres, Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies, are likely to start, along with George North on the wing. Leigh Halfpenny is also expected to play.

Meanwhile, Irish scrumhalf Conor Murray has made it clear that his team won’t be holding anything back. Although they scored a face-saving win over an admittedly weakened Wales team last weekend, they have endured a miserable build-up and will be looking to end the warm-ups with a resounding win that will boost their confidence ahead of their opening World Cup game.

IRELAND GOING FULL STRENGTH

Reports suggest Ireland will start with the likes of Johnny Sexton, Cian Healy, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw, who are all fit again to join Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Conor Murray, CJ Stander, Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale in the line-up.

Also in action this weekend are Scotland against Georgia and Canada against USA, who are coached by former Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold.

WEEKEND TEAMS THAT ARE TO HAND:

South Africa v Japan

Japan: Will Tupou, Kotaro Matsushima, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Kenki Fukuoka, Yu Tamura, Kaito Shigeno, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, Pieter Labushagne, Michael Leitch (captain), Uwe Helu, Luke Thompson, Jiwon Koo, Atsushi Sakate, Keita Inagaki.

Replacements: Takuya Kitade, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Ai Valu, James Moore, Kazuki Tokunaga, Yutaka Nagare, Rikiya Matsuda, Ataata Moeakiola.

South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian De Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel.

England v Italy

England: Anthony Watson; Ruaridh McConnochie, Joe Marchant, Piers Francis, Jonny May’ Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Dan Cole, Jamie George, Joe Marler.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Charlie Ewels, Matt Kvesic, Willi Heinz, George Ford, Joe Cokanasiga.

Italy: Jayden Hayward, Edoardo Padovani, Michel Campagnaro, Luca Morisi, Angelo Esposito, Tomasso Allan, Tito Tebaldi, Sergoi Pardisse, Braam Steyn, Sebastian Negri, Dean Budd, Frederico Ruzza, Simone Ferrari, Luca Bigi, Andrea Lovotti.

Replacements: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Cherif Traore, Tizano Pasquali, David Sisi, Jake Polledri, Guguliemo Palazanni, Ian McKinley, Tommaso Castello.

New Zealand v Tonga

New Zealand: Ben Smith, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith. Josh Ioane, Jordie Barrett.

Tonga: David Halaifonua, Cooper Vuna, Malietoa Hingano, Siale Piutau (c), Viliame Lolohea, Kurt Morath, Sonatane Takalua, Maama Vaipulu, Fotu Lokotui, Sione Kalamafoni, Leva Fifita, Sam Lousi, Siua Halanukonuka, Siua Maile, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.

Reserves: Sione Anga’aelangi, Vunipola Fifita, Ma’afu Fia, Dan Faleafa, Zane Kapeli, Leon Fukofuka, James Faiva, Atieli Pakalani

Australia v Samoa

Australia: Tom Banks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jack Dempsey, David Pocock (captain), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Jordan Uelese, James Slipper.

Replacements: Tatfu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Luke Jones, Liam Wright, Rob Valetini, Nick Phipps, James O’Connor.

Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams, Belgium Tuatagaloa, Alapati Leiua, Reynold Lee-Lo, Ed Fidow, Tusi Pisi, Scott Malolua, Afaesetiti Amosa, Jack Lam (captain), TJ Ioane, Kane Leaupepe, Teofilo Paulo, Michael Alaalatoa, Ray Niuia, Jordan Lay.

Replacements: Motu Matu'u, Paul Alo-Emile, Logovi'i Mulipola, Josh Tyrell, Seilala Lam, Dwayne Polataivao, AJ Alatimu, Ah See Tuala

Other games this weekend

Scotland v Georgia

Ireland v Wales (both teams to be announced)

Canada v USA