Rugby: Kronfeld says time to quit

By WYNNE GRAY

While the All Blacks have kept an unchanged side for their final tilt at the Tri-Nations title, they are likely to need another flanker for the end-of-year tour to France and Italy.

Josh Kronfeld has reconfirmed his previous idea to end his international career this season, a decision which may see him play his last test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg against the Springboks on Sunday.

The seasoned flanker could still go on the All Blacks' three-test season finale but it is more likely the coaching staff will select another player to groom as his possible successor.

If that strategy holds without any form or injury interference, Scott Robertson would be elevated to the main openside flanker, with back-up from Taine Randell.

Other breakaways to come into the mix to replace Kronfeld would be Justin Collins and Matua Parkinson, who both made the New Zealand A side this season, with pressure from Kupu Vanisi, Andrew Blowers and Glen Marsh.

Those selection issues did not trouble the panel yesterday, however, as they kept faith with the starting XV who missed the Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations double in an agonising end to the Wellington test 10 days ago.

The only alterations were in the reserves, where Robertson came in for Reuben Thorne and Greg Somerville replaced Craig Dowd.

In reiterating his decision to quit this year, Kronfeld accepted that he might not be wanted for the twin tests in France and one in Italy in November.

"We have to look at how things go in the NPC and where the coaches [Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert] want to take it - whether they're still keen to have me involved," he said. "That's something we'll have to talk through during the NPC."

Should Kronfeld miss the trip, it would mean he never played for the All Blacks in France. On the 1995 trip he damaged an ankle before his debut and flew home for an operation.

As the All Blacks kept their settled combination, the Springboks continued to be hit by public agitation for a victory after four straight losses. They also had to contend with the flu, which lowered several players, with prop Robbie Kempson the hardest hit.

Buoyant optimism about a Springbok reversal of form came from flanker Rassie Erasmus and former coach Carel du Plessis.

Erasmus, recovered from a rib injury, believed the Ellis Park venue could inspire a Bok recovery, while du Plessis also lauded the arena as an important weapon for the South Africans.

He was sure the All Blacks still had a phobia about playing at altitude and in Johannesburg the crowd were very intimidating towards visitors.

"We came close to beating a very good All Black team in 1997 when no one gave us much of a chance," he said. "Playing at Ellis Park certainly gives the Boks a lift; they go up a gear."

Du Plessis also urged the Boks to alter their tactics, to attack the All Blacks up front to create pressure on Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens, which would then shut down the space of the back four.

There had to be more creativity from the Bok backs.

"The truth is, we never looked like scoring in the two Tri-Nations tests overseas," said du Plessis.

Teams:

All Blacks: Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Josh Kronfeld, Taine Randell, Todd Blackadder (capt), Norm Maxwell, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft. Reserves: Leon MacDonald, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Scott Robertson, Troy Flavell, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett.

South Africa: Thinus Delport, Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, de Wet Barry or Robbie Fleck, Breyton Paulse, Braam van Straaten, Werner Swanepoel, Andre Vos, Rassie Erasmus, Corne Krige, Andre Venter, Mark Andrews, Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson. Reserves: Percy Montgomery, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Joost van der Westhuizen, Warren Brosnihan, Albert van den Berg, Ollie Le Roux, John Smit.