Guinée: les nouvelles mesures de sécurité du maire de Kankan décriées

À Kankan en Guinée, c’est une décision controversée que viennent de prendre la mairie et la préfecture. Dans le but de renforcer la sécurité, des mesures très strictes sont désormais en place, notamment le fait de prévenir l’autorité locale si un étranger vient à votre domicile. Des annonces jugées restrictives par la société civile de la seconde ville du pays qui compte plus de 400 000 habitants.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says flyhalf Ruben Love’s omission from the team for Saturday’s series decider against the Springboks is no reflection of his form. likesport.biz

Rennie says the call was made “a couple of weeks ago” to give Mo’unga, who joined the squad as an injury replacement, a start in the fourth and final Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

“Regardless of the result at Soweto – whether we were up 2-1 or down 2-1 – we were going to start Richie,” Rennie said.

“He’s been in the environment for a while, he’s got a clear understanding of the game we want to play. I’m keen to give him that opportunity.”

TEAM: Codie leads, Richie at 10 for All Blacks

Rennie was clear that Love’s axing had nothing to do with his performance at FNB Stadium.

“Ruben’s gone really well, he’s played the first six Tests of the year,” Rennie said.

“But when I spoke to him, I stressed the fact that last week was the biggest Test the All Blacks have played since the World Cup final. We trusted him to run the ship ahead of three more experienced 10s.

“That highlights where we see him. But we’re keen to give Richie a crack and he’s prepared really well this week.”

KEO: Boks can punish weary All Blacks

With Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie all in the frame at flyhalf, Rennie says the competition is only helping Love’s development, rather than hindering it.

“Beauden’s not out of the reckoning from a 10 point of view, and Damian plays 10, so between those guys we feel like we have depth at 10 and 15,” Rennie said.

“There’s no doubt, Richie’s come in and been excellent. If you ask Ruben about the help he’s got, Beauden’s been great for him, as have Damian and Richie.

“For us to win, we need everyone going well. While they’re competing against each other, they’re also helping each other grow.

“Richie’s got a lot of experience. Ruben’s been really smart, he’s got beside a lot of those guys, and talked a lot of footy. It’s really good for our group.”

Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

The post Rennie backs Love despite axing appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Richie Mo’unga will make his first All Blacks Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup final when he starts at flyhalf against the Springboks in the finale of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA on Saturday night (kick-off 11:10pm SA time).

Following the showpiece event in France, where he started for the All Blacks in the final against the Boks, only to end up on the losing side, Mo’unga chose to leave New Zealand and continue his club career in Japan, which saw him made unavailable for selection due to their eligibility rules.

But ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia, Mo’unga re-signed with New Zealand rugby and the Crusaders this year, making him available for selection, with him then a late call-up to their RGR squad.

He started for them at flyhalf in their tour match against the Lions at Ellis Park a few weeks ago, but has been unable to force his way into the Test team with Ruben Love preferred for the first three Tests.

Ring the changes

However heading into the decider 2-1 down, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has decided to ring the changes, making eight changes to the starting XV that lost 29-24 against the Boks in Soweto over the past weekend, including Love dropping out of the 23 and Mo’unga stepping up to the plate.

Other changes see veteran hooker Codie Taylor brought back in as captain, in the injury enforced absence of talismanic eighthman Ardie Savea, and he will be guiding a completely new front row featuring props Fletcher Newell and Ethan de Groot, who will be looking to stand up to the ferocious Springbok pack.

De Groot and replacement lock Josh Lord have both returned to the match 23 after a nasty head clash between the two in the first Test, saw them ruled out of the next two as they followed World Rugby’s return to play concussion protocols.

Injuries to Savea and fellow loose forward Luke Jacobson, has seen a shuffling of the loose trio, as Peter Lakai shifts from the side of the scrum to the back, Tupou Vaa’i moves from lock to blindside flank, and Ethan Blackadder comes in for his first start of the series.

First starts

Centre Quinn Tupaea is also ruled out with injury, which sees the experienced Anton Lienert-Brown take his place, while lock Patrick Tuipulotu will also make his first RGR Test start in the final match.

Josh Moorby retakes his spot on the left wing in place of Leroy Carter, while the incredibly experienced duo of Rieko Ioane and Beauden Barrett will look to make an impact from the substitutes bench.

“We always planned for there to be a number of changes for this match. Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to prepare the team for the seven games we’ve played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it,” explained Rennie on Thursday.

“We have everything to play for on Saturday. It is our chance to draw the series and end the tour with a performance to be proud of.

“We have had incredible support travelling with us throughout the tour and amazing support back at home. We want to put in a performance that shows how much we appreciate that. We also want to honour the players and management who have returned home early but contributed so much.”

All Blacks starting XV

Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Anton Leinert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor (capt), Ethan de Groot

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett

Orlando Pirates enter the campaign as defending champions after stopping Mamelodi Sundowns’ remarkable eight-year dynasty in the Betway Premiership.

Both clubs have also been aggressive in the transfer market. Mamelodi Sundowns have brought in seven players, while Orlando Pirates have added 12 players to their squad.

DID MAMELODI SUNDOWNS HIJACK TWO ORLANDO PIRATES TARGETS?

Interestingly, there has also been competition between the two clubs for players. Mamelodi Sundowns hijacked the deals for Siyanda Ndlovu and Thabang Matuludi, players who were close to joining Orlando Pirates.

It is not the first time this has happened. Orlando Pirates have also snatched Mamelodi Sundowns to targets over the years, making the transfer market another battleground between the two giants.

WHO DID MAMELODI SUNDOWNS SIGN?

Kabo Yellow have focused on adding experience, attacking quality and competition for places.

Cassius Mailula, 25, has returned from Toronto FC in Canada as a forward. He initially broke through at Mamelodi Sundowns before gaining experience abroad.

Siyanda Ndlovu, 22, arrives from Lamontville Golden Arrows. The forward is regarded as a player with pace and attacking potential.

Antonio van Wyk, 24, joins from SV Ried in Austria. The winger brings European experience and gives Mamelodi Sundowns another attacking option.

Katlego Ntsabeleng, 28, has made his move from FC Dallas permanent after initially joining on loan. He adds another option in the attacking and midfield areas.

Deano Van Rooyen, 29, is perhaps the most interesting signing because he has crossed the divide from Orlando Pirates to Mamelodi Sundowns. The right-back brings experience and knowledge of the domestic game.

Thabo Cele, 29, has joined from Kaizer Chiefs. The central midfielder adds physicality, experience and another box-to-box option.

Then there is Thabang Matuludi, 27, who is set to join from Polokwane City. The right-back was also wanted by the Buccaneers, making the move another significant victory for Mamelodi Sundowns in the transfer battle.

WHO DID ORLANDO PIRATES SIGN?

Orlando Pirates have taken a different approach, adding a large group of players with a strong focus on youth and development.

Sbangani Zulu, 23, arrives from Richards Bay as a central defender.

Bohlale Ngwato, 20, joins from Siwelele FC as a winger, while Ghampani Lungu, 27, also arrives from Siwelele FC as another attacking option.

Neo Rapoo, 20, has joined from Siwelele FC and can play at left-back.

Bheki Mabuza, 23, arrives from Marumo Gallants and offers versatility as a winger or midfielder.

Matome Mmolai, 22, joins from Leicesterford City as a midfielder.

Thapelo Mokobodi, 23, and Mthetheleli Mthiyane, 25, strengthen the midfield department, with Mokobodi arriving from Stellenbosch FC.

Aphiwe Baliti, 24, is another player from Siwelele FC, although he has been loaned back to the club for the season.

Sebastian Pedersen, 27, arrives from Sogndal in Norway, while Mohau Nkota, 21, has joined from Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia on loan.

The final addition is Kabelo Kgositsile, 21, who joins from Baroka FC as a winger.

WHICH CLUB HAS THE STRONGER RECRUITMENT?

On paper, the two clubs have taken noticeably different approaches.

Mamelodi Sundowns have concentrated on players who can potentially contribute immediately, with Mailula, van Wyk, Van Rooyen and Cele bringing experience from South Africa and abroad.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, have gone for greater numbers and appear to have placed a bigger emphasis on younger players who can develop into important first-team players.

WHO HAS WON THE TRANSFER BATTLE SO FAR?

There is also an interesting contrast in the transfer battle itself. Mamelodi Sundowns managed to take Ndlovu and Matuludi despite interest from Orlando Pirates, while Orlando Pirates secured Van Rooyen after he had established himself as a key player at the club.

With Orlando Pirates defending their title and Mamelodi Sundowns determined to reclaim it, the two clubs’ recruitment could have a major influence on the next Betway Premiership title race.

For now, the battle between the two giants is not only taking place on the pitch. It is also being fought in the transfer market.

It’s the fourth and final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and All Blacks. It takes place at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, with kick-off at 11.10pm (SA time).

Here are the five things to look out for in a match that will determine the final series result.

Neutral ground

The good news, if one can call it that, is that the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is unknown to both teams, so no one side will be favoured. It is the first time a rugby match is being staged at the 70,000-capacity venue.

But who will adapt best, and quickest, to the surface, which will be different to what the teams encountered in South Africa over the last few weeks, and how, if at all, will the players respond to the support, or not, that they’ll get from the fans?

It’ll be a very new experience for all the players, and coaches, on Saturday.

‘Final’ pressure

The Springboks are 2-1 up in the series and cannot lose it, but that does not mean they won’t be feeling any pressure. They’re certainly not want to slip up now at the final hurdle, after fighting back from losing the first Test.

A 3-1 series win would be huge for the Boks’ confidence, especially knowing they’re set to face the All Blacks in next year’s World Cup quarter-finals.

At the same time, the All Blacks must win the game to draw the series, so they really have it all to do, and need to make the play, so to speak. How will they perform under that pressure?

Game plans

The styles and game plans adopted by the teams so far have been very different, which was expected. The Boks have backed their scrums and set-pieces, with the forwards dominant in laying the foundation for their game, while the All Blacks have, as always, used their backs more regularly.

Both styles have worked well for the teams, but with so much on the line this weekend, will they make any changes to how they go about their business?

It’s unlikely; the Boks will probably still look to dominate up front and the All Blacks look to run the Boks off their feet. Whose game plan will come out on top this week?

Scrums … again

Following on from the above point, the scrums have been the biggest talking point of the series and will be a key factor in Baltimore as well.

The big question though is, how will referee Karl Dickson see things, and will he reward strength and power or will he find fault and penalise the Boks for infringing, according to All Blacks boss Dave Rennie?

Every referee in the series so far – Matthew Carly, Angus Gardner and Nika Amushukeli – has blown the scrum differently.

It’s certainly going to be riveting viewing once again and is sure to play a big part in who gets on top, and who possibly wins the match after 80 minutes.

Fatigue

The biggest factor though this weekend is surely fatigue. Some players go into this fourth Test having played in all three previous Tests, and some for the full 80 minutes. There’s no doubt there are sore and tired bodies, and some minds might also be wandering. This series has been physically and mentally draining for the players and the coaches.

And add in a flight to the USA and different time zones and the challenge for both teams gets even bigger.

So, whoever has the most energy left, in body and mind, will probably deal with the 80 minutes better.

What a fascinating contest awaits.