Mind games and a Boks ambush
Earlier in the week Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said he could be out of a job if his side loses to the All Blacks in Wellington. Given he’s hardly had time to stock the office fridge with his favourite biltong brands, do you think he’s playing mind games?
Richard Knowler: He’s having a laugh, surely. I know things can get a bit whacky in South African rugby, but to sack Erasmus halfway through the Rugby Championship would be complete madness. If he really does believe his bosses have that little faith in him, he may as well pack his toothbrush and catch the first flight back to the Republic.
Hamish Bidwell: Absolutely. I felt a bit embarrassed for him, really. It’s very early to be rolling out the ‘win it for me, fellas’ routine. Just reeked of a desperation that, in a game of skill, his lot are no show.
There’s been talk of the Springboks’ ambushing the All Blacks in Wellington. What radical tactical ploy would be best suited to do this?
RK: Adding some pepper to their counter-attack would be a terrific start. The best way to give the All Blacks the horrors is to pour some of their own medicine back down their throats. Whether the Springboks are good enough to do that is debatable. Some of their backs looked lost and confused in that loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane last weekend.
HB: I don’t think they have a legitimate playing tactic, which is why Erasmus decided to tug at the heartstrings. I don’t want to be too flippant here, but I really think they have to grow up and actually try to get better at rugby. Working themselves into a frenzy and weeping through the national anthem might win them the odd game, but it’s not a recipe for sustained success.
It’s inevitable the Springboks will attempt to use their driving mauls at Westpac Stadium. Yes, predictable. Is there a danger this could also be their Achilles heel?
RK: By oath it could. Look what happened when the Lions tried to use it against the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final. They made zero headway because the Crusaders, legal or otherwise, were smart enough to put a ring of red-and-black steel around it. And the Springboks should hope former Boks coach and commentator Nick Mallet stays mute. He certainly fired up the Crusaders by saying hooker Malcolm Marx was better than any of their forwards. Marx, as a result, was targeted all night long.
HB: Play to your strengths, I reckon. Lineout drives, high kicks and a good chase. Again, on pure playing ability, they probably can’t match the All Blacks but they do stand some chance of bashing them up. Make it physical and see how New Zealand react.
Sonny Bill Williams is unavailable, again. This time because of tonsilitis, following on from the shoulder injury he suffered against France in the third test in Dunedin. Big blow or just another week without SBW?
RK: Still the best No 12 in New Zealand as far as I am concerned – when he can get on the field. But his inability to even get to first base is a worry, and he will be frustrated after his most recent issues. Clearly, Williams is a big part of the World Cup master plan. It is important he is still hissing in 2019, and not limping towards that tournament.
HB: You can’t say the All Blacks aren’t accustomed to life without him, let alone the Blues. He’s hardly had a game for them in two years. It’s a shame, I love watching Williams play and enjoy hearing his team-mates talk about how much he inspires him. But he can hardly stay on the park, which makes it tricky to have him in your World Cup squad. I mean, what are the chances he could play three knockout games on the trot?
It’s good to see big Patrick Tuipulotu back on the bench. Who do you think can make the most impact off the bench for the All Blacks?
RK: I’m going to steer clear of the obvious answer – Damian McKenzie – and promote flanker Ardie Savea. I was impressed by his efforts against the Pumas in Nelson. He could do some damage against the Boks if he replaces Sam Cane around the 60-minute mark.
HB: Damian McKenzie. He could run rings around a few tired boys, provided the rest of the All Blacks have done the required ground work for him.
Ryan Crotty appreciates your concern. The state of the All Blacks’ health briefly became a national issue, after he was concussed in the August 18 Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia. It was hardly the 29-year-old’s first head knock of recent seasons and convinced a few folk he might be better giving rugby away.
Tomorrow, against South Africa at Westpac Stadium, will mark his first game since and he is acutely aware of the scrutiny his return to action will attract.
‘‘I’m great, thank you. A lot of people have asked over the last couple of weeks and the support from the public has been really nice,’’ Crotty said yesterday.
‘‘It’s hard to walk down the street and have someone not ask how you are, so it’s awesome that people care and genuinely hope you’re doing all right. But I’m feeling fresh – fresh and good to go.’’
Crotty sat out the second Bledisloe Cup game, in Auckland, before The Rugby Championship teams got a week off. He had passed his concussion protocols and was available to play Argentina in Nelson last Saturday, but the All Blacks felt it would be prudent to ease him back into things.
It probably also took a little more heat out of a situation in which people had almost demanded he retire.
‘‘That’s just a product of people caring. Genuinely. And, like I said, that’s really nice,’’ said Crotty.
‘‘In saying that, I’ve gone through all the processes, been extremely diligent around this last one and I’m really confident. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be there, so I’m really excited to be back playing.’’
Crotty has continually passed his Head Injury Assessments and negotiated the return-to-play protocols without incident but, surely, having to go through that on a semi-regular basis isn’t a great sign of rude health? He’d only be human if he wondered whether his future was being put at some risk. ‘‘Nah, no way. If I sincerely did I wouldn’t be here.’’
‘‘I’ve gone through all the processes, been extremely diligent around this last one and I’m really confident.’’
But no man is an island. Crotty is a son and a brother, among other things, and there are more people involved than just the player when these occur.
‘‘They’re good. I’ve had to convince them I’m all right so, no, they’re fine and they’re excited that I’m back out there