Paris (AFP)

Richie Mo'unga pushes Beauden Barrett in the rear, Christian Lealiifano returns after three years of absence: the coaches of New Zealand and Australia have relied on the change to the position of opener to receive Africa from South and Australia on Saturday during the second day of the Rugby Championship.

It's time for the last tests before the World Cup in Japan (September 20-November 2) and the coaches of the nations of the southern hemisphere have understood it well. In the first place, Steve Hansen, the head coach of the All Blacks, who did not hesitate for the summit against the Springboks to shake his hierarchy as an opener offering the N.10 to Richie Mo'unga to the detriment from Beauden Barrett, shifted to the back.

The reigning World Cup doubleheader had not worn N.15 since 2013 when he was growing in the shadow of Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden. Giving a chance to Mo'unga, the rising star, younger than Barrett (25 years against 29) and winner of the last two Super Rugby with the Crusaders, is likely to wreak havoc in the land of the long white cloud, two months from the start of the World Cup ... against South Africa.

Hansen, who is looking for the best way to use his two nuggets simultaneously, is aware of this. "There is always a risk in everything we do," he said. "I often say that if the game is worth it, then you have to take the risk." And too bad if it must cost victory in the competition, Japan is the priority. "It's not disrespectful at the Rugby Championship, it's just that it's a World Cup year."

Hansen has his plan: to turn the head in the powerful pack of Boks with the game with the foot licked of its two openers. And at the same time, take a revenge in Wellington on the South Africans, who had last year in the same capital of New Zealand ended nine years of invincibility of the Blacks at home (36-34).

Hansen can also count on Sonny Bill Williams, free of a new injury to a thigh, and his captain Kieran Read, spared during the slow victory in Argentina (20-16).

The Springboks also spared almost all their best players, including their opener Handré Pollard, which did not prevent them from beating Australia with the bonus (35-17). Redesigned three-quarters, the team of Rassie Erasmus is ready for the shock.

- Lealiifano, three years later -

Michael Cheika, the coach of Australia, is not as well off as his counterparts and seeks solutions to end the drift sports Wallabies. Of the five changes made after the defeat in Johannesburg, two are strong in symbol. In particular the return to the opening of Lealiifano, cured of a leukemia diagnosed in the summer of 2016. He has not worn the yellow jersey since.

Placed on the bench, versatile three-quarter James O'Connor puts an end to six years of disenchantment with the selection. Excluded in 2013 for behavior problems, the bad boy had exiled in Europe, passing through Toulon he had left in 2017 after an arrest in possession of cocaine in Paris.

In this case, it is ultimately the backbone of the Argentineans who moves the least. But the Pumas have even changed a third of their team for the trip to Brisbane. The word test has never been so appropriate.

The program of the 2nd day Saturday:

At Westpac Stadium (Wellington)

09.35: New Zealand - South Africa

At Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane)

11.45: Australia - Argentina

Rating: Pts JGNP pp pc dif Good

1. South Africa 5 1 1 0 0 35 17 18 1

2. New Zealand 4 1 1 0 0 20 16 4 0

3. Argentina 1 1 0 0 1 16 20 -4 1

4. Australia 0 1 0 0 1 17 35 -18 0

Already played:

Argentina (bd) - New Zealand 16 - 20

South Africa (bo) - Australia 35 - 17

Still to play:

. 3rd and last day (August 10th)

At Optus Stadium (Perth)

11:45: Australia - New Zealand

At Padre Stadium Ernesto Martearena (Salta)

9:40 pm: Argentina - South Africa

Editor's note: The Rugby Championship is played this year on three days, against six usually, because of the World Cup in Japan

1 win is worth 4 points, a draw 2, a defeat by less than 8 points or 3 tries scored more than the opponent 1 point

© 2019 AFP