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Live blog: All Blacks v South Africa

3rd & 7 37yd

Hello and welcome to live updates of tonight's much anticipated, sold out rugby international between the All Blacks and South Africa in Auckland.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:22:22 AM
48,000 fans will pack out the Eden Park fortress tonight, a ground where the All Blacks haven't lost since 1994.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:31:40 AM
For those doing the math at home, that is 19 years. Furthermore, the last time the Springboks won in Auckland was 1937 - that's even longer.. So it's a done deal right? The All Blacks can't lose? Well, not so fast.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:35:00 AM
Check this out from the Herald's senior columnist Chris Rattue:

The All Blacks' remarkable record at Eden Park will fall on Saturday. There, got that out, and now for the theories.

Call it a hunch, call it madness, but there is a cocky, fresh-looking Springbok pack heading this way while the All Blacks' exertions against the muscular Argentines have taken petrol out of their tank. Using a lesson from the 2011 World Cup, it is advisable to evaluate the physical toll from previous games. The All Blacks have a clutch of injured players due back but that in itself could prove a problem if they are, collectively, not quite right.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:38:45 AM
Interesting right? Well I think so, and I also think it's going to be a cracking game. I'm Steven Holloway and with the help of my trusty sidekick Kris Shannon, we will bring you live-to-the-second updates of all tonight's action.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:42:44 AM
We've got another 45 mins till kick off, so plenty of time to hear your predictions. Who will win? Who will be the difference maker? Where are you tuning in from? Are you having a good night? Do you just need someone to chat with? I'm here for you. Just click 'comment now' and join in on the fun.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:44:02 AM
go allblacks and sam cane

by Alex Garton 9/14/2013 6:44:39 AM
Rain on and off here at Eden Park. Field looking pretty wet. Conditions will suit the Boks better than the Blacks http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BUGlIcdCcAARbsf.jpg

by jon_cardinelli via twitter 9/14/2013 6:46:12 AM
Can't wait

by Can't wait 9/14/2013 6:46:21 AM
go all blacks

by oliver 9/14/2013 6:49:13 AM
I am peaking

by oliver 9/14/2013 6:49:20 AM
Oliver sounds like he's having a good night and the excitement is building inside the stadium too. The sell-out crowd have been advised to 'rug-up' and keep an umbrella handy after the Auckland weather took an ugly turn around 4pm. The rain is constant, and it will play a part. But who will it favour?

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:51:52 AM
Steven great cometary

by Briar Elliot 9/14/2013 6:54:07 AM
Thanks Briar, great to get an early confidence boost under my belt.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:54:28 AM
Up for grabs tonight is the outright lead of the Rugby Championship and likely the eventual title. Also, if the Springboks can get up, they will go to the top of the IRB rankings.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:55:38 AM
cant wait for the game

by Stagehand 9/14/2013 6:57:12 AM
kia kaha Kapa o pango smash um bro 27-22 ki o Pango

by RenoHemi 9/14/2013 6:57:16 AM
Good call RenoHemi. I think.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:57:41 AM
The big news out of the All Blacks camp, that I'm sure you are all aware of by now, is that Sir Richie is out.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:58:20 AM
Sam Cane comes in to play his 10th test in his place, while Ma'a Nonu rejoins the backline after a week's rest for his ankle problems.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 6:59:39 AM
Blindside flanker Liam Messam is also reinstalled after returning from his hamstring strain and takes over from impressive newcomer Stephen Luatua, who will also cover lock from the bench.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:00:18 AM
Hmmm, the rai could hep us, All Blacks, We just have to win, we just have to. I am working at the moment Steve, so your commentary is imperaive. Thanks ole pal.

by paul.spender@gmail.com 9/14/2013 7:00:23 AM
You heard it here first ABs. You HAVE to win. You just have to. Otherwise you will have Paul Spender to answer to. And no one likes answering to the big spender.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:01:24 AM
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has named an unchanged lineup from the side that bashed the Wallabies 38-12 in Brisbane last weekend.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:04:09 AM
So without further ado, here are tonight's teams.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:04:25 AM
All Blacks:15-Israel Dagg, 14-Ben Smith, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Daniel Carter, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read (c), 7-Sam Cane, 6-Liam Messam, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brodie
Retallick, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Dane Coles, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements:16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Charlie Faumuina, 19-Steven Luatua, 20-Matt Todd, 21-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Charles Piutau.

Springboks:15-Zane Kirchner, 14-Willie le Roux, 13-JJ Engelbrecht, 12-Jean de Villiers (captain), 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Ruan Pienaar, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Willem Alberts, 6-Francois Louw, 5-Flip van der Merwe, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16-Adriaan Strauss, 17-Gurthro Steenkamp, 18-Coenie Oosthuizen, 19-Juandre Kruger, 20-Siya Kolisi, 21-Jano Vermaak, 22-Pat Lambie, 23-Jan Serfontein.
Referee:Romain Poite (France)

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:05:04 AM
I hope the weather holds up. #absvsa

by Lomu commentary via twitter 9/14/2013 7:06:13 AM
HANSEN has Test win percentage of 90% as All Blacks head coach, best winning percentage since Fred Allen, who won 14 out of 14 Test matches

by Ruckin Good Stats via twitter 9/14/2013 7:07:28 AM
The last time South Africa beat New Zealand away from home was in 2009 when they beat the hosts 32-29 in Hamilton #NZLvRSA

by Ruckin Good Stats via twitter 9/14/2013 7:07:39 AM
Shag is expecting the Springboks to 'rumble it up the guts'. "We're all very excited," he claims in his pre-match interview, while showing absolutely no emotion.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:10:05 AM
G' morning, Steve from Chicago USA ...very dark outside ...just after2am...bleary eyes, but excited to hear your commentary...U R always GREAT, STEVE ..go GO AB

by OTAGO75inChicagoUSA 9/14/2013 7:10:41 AM
LETS GO ALL BLACKS! ???????????? #allblacks #abs #rugby #wegotthis @ Eden Park instagram.com/p/eO1VfbsmoC/

by jefferina via twitter 9/14/2013 7:12:05 AM
Mark Stafford from the TAB is on now, and claims the money has come in 'Hellishly big' on South Africa tonight. The Boks are paying $3.80 to win by between 1-12 and that seems to be the favourite with the punters.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:14:21 AM
Checking in from India Steve...cheers mate

by Jammin 9/14/2013 7:14:33 AM
Listening from Los Angeles,

by Rich 9/14/2013 7:14:35 AM
3am in toronto..no TV so im depending on you

by NZCDN 9/14/2013 7:14:36 AM
after watching the FULL match between Boks & Wallabies in Brisbane a few times on Youtube, I feel good about AB chance for another win. Boks are good, but not THAT good.

by OTAGO75inChicagoUSA 9/14/2013 7:14:41 AM
Fifteen minutes till kick off now and it's John Key and Richie McCaw's turn to tag team the commentary box. Key claims he is not nervous, McCaw is a little. Rivoting stuff.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:16:08 AM
Ok going to get my moaning done early and then say no more. French ref, new scrum set laws, heaps of scrum oenalties, and too much whistle! Hopefully I've just jinxed it and it'll a wonderful free flowing game with an ABs win!!

by nellie 9/14/2013 7:16:24 AM
Hanging on every word from Bali

by Ian Baugh 9/14/2013 7:16:26 AM
Key predicts an All Blacks victory. He really went out on a limb there, didn't see that one coming.

by Steven Holloway 9/14/2013 7:19:25 AM
Almost time for #NZLvRSA #RugbyChampionship world rugby's biggest game. This is going to be epic. #GOBOKKE

by Keysie via twitter 9/14/2013 7:21:05 AM
checking in from Spain - on the edge of my seat

by robbie 9/14/2013 7:21:28 AM
Key would sell the All Blacks if he could

by Jammin 9/14/2013 7:21:32 AM