Springboks out to deliver knockout blow
The All Blacks in my time with the Springboks were rugby masters, possessed with a ruthless ability to be clinical in everything they did. They were renowned for making few mistakes and when they got into their attacking game they were deadly through the phases.
Things are looking different now. In their second consecutive loss to the Springboks last weekend, we saw inaccuracies all around the All Blacks’ game. From not winning the high ball contest to passes going in behind and on the floor. Those are clear signs of a side under pressure.
But if you ask me if I think it’s time to panic, I would say no.
If the All Blacks make more changes all it’s going to do is set them back further, because a new coach will have to start from scratch. I’m not sure if New Zealand Rugby will stick with Ian Foster, but I don’t want to jump on the bandwagon. Getting rid of the coach is the easy solution and I don’t necessarily think you can put their problems down to that because every team goes through a lull.
The part I’m surprised about is the All Blacks’ inaccuracy because it’s uncharacteristic of them.
In 2008 we lost 19-8 to the All Blacks in Wellington and the following week we won in Dunedin. In terms of the second test at Ellis Park this weekend, that is where the player leadership of the All Blacks is going to have to step up.
When you go through the team you can see that there are still great players within that group. The one thing the All Blacks have is a wealth of muscle memory, having played well before as a side. If there’s any team that has the ability to turn it around, the All Blacks would be top of my list.
Is it likely that they are going to turn the tide this weekend? Probably not. I wouldn’t be putting my mortgage on it because it’s going to be an unbelievably challenging task. Ellis Park is on the highveld – it’s a more difficult environment than where they’ve been and it will be hostile.
There is no question the Springboks will be scenting blood in the water. The number of times in the 101-year rivalry we have had the All Blacks up against the ropes has been few and far between. With this Bok team’s experience, they will want to go for the knockout punch.
The All Blacks aren’t going to roll over and nor should they. However, the task is going to be monumental.
I think they’ll back their attack. If Richie Mo’unga were to come in at first five-eighth, I think he could vary it a bit more. He may take it to the line and bring in those chip kicks. Coming from his Crusaders background, Mo’unga may also be the more confident player who can offer the All Blacks a point of difference. I’m sure he will start.
However, I’m not convinced the All Blacks’ issue is at 9 and 10, and wonder if it’s getting the ball a little further out wide. The Boks closed the All Blacks down really well from a double tackle point of view. First and foremost, they stop the runner on or before the gainline, which always means you are having to go a yard or two backwards to the cleanouts. It results in you playing further behind the advantage line and never really getting front-foot ball. The set-piece along with kicking game and defence is the cornerstone of the Boks’ plan. They are ruthless at playing in the right areas of the field, applying scoreboard pressure and maintaining momentum. Even though this All Blacks team is low in confidence, Jacques Nienaber will know that this is not the time to take their foot off the gas. The All Blacks are not the type of team to cower in a corner.
New Zealand is a proud rugby nation with world-class rugby players. They may not be playing that well at the moment but are going to come out guns blazing. As such, the Boks must meet them with the same fire as last weekend.
Gary Gold is the USA Eagles head coach, and was Springboks assistant when they beat the All Blacks three consecutive times in 2009 and won the Tri-Nations title.