Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber surprised by naming Canan Moodie in the midfield for their final World Cup warm-up match against the All Blacks at a sold out Twickenham stadium in London on Friday night.
While many may have thought the Boks would go for their full-strength side against the All Blacks, the Boks opted for possibly their strongest forward pack, while giving some members of the squad in the backline a chance to stake a final claim for places ahead of their opening World Cup game against Scotland on September 10.
Moodie’s name stands out in the midfield – partly because he hasn’t played there at senior level and last played at school for Boland Landbou but the Boks know they are a bit thin in the midfield following the injury to Lukhanyo Am and see this as the ideal opportunity to try something different.
Perhaps the decision to take this risk was amplified by the fact that Moodie has been in sensational form, scoring a brace against Wales and being named man of the match in the Boks last two tests as well.
It certainly has made it difficult to leave him out of a match-day squad and with the riches the Boks have at wing, it may have been felt that this is the right time to try the experiment, before they get to the World Cup.
Of course, there is no bigger cauldron than 80 000 fans and facing the All Blacks and Moodie will certainly be tested on the night. But the 20-year old has passed all tests thus far with flying colours and the Boks feel confident enough that he will come through this test the same way he has faced all the others.
Source: supersport
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