BRING ON THE ALL BLACKS
COETZEE: PROUD RIVALRY GREAT WAY TO START WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN
Kiwi coach Hansen wants to start ‘with a bang’ in Japan.
The Springboks will have to hit the ground running after receiving the tough challenge yesterday of opening their 2019 World Cup campaign in Japan against the mighty All Blacks.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee said, ahead of their departure tonight for their European tour, they will prepare accordingly.
“There is a great and proud rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks and this opening group match is bound to be another massive contest,” said Coetzee.
“But we play enough against them to know what to expect and our recent narrow defeat at Newlands proves we can compete at their level.”
All Black coach Steve Hansen told reporters in London on the eve of their match against the Barbarians that he “half expected” the Boks would to be their first opponents.
“It’s a good way to start the tournament,” said Hansen.
“The tournament wants to get off to a bang, so why not play the two ( big teams in the first match)? That’s the big game for the first round-robin.
“It’s either going to be us, or France and England (paired together in a tough Pool C). It looks like we drew the marble, so get on with it.”
Bok captain Eben Etzebeth said they would love to follow the example of the Class of 1995.
“In 1995 the Boks played their opener against Australia who were the defending champions at the time, so hopefully we can repeat that facing the defending champions in two years’ time,” said Etzebeth.
With the Boks departing tonight and tomorrow night in two groups, there were only minor concerns over Etzebeth, fullback Andries Coetzee and prop Coenie Oosthuizen.
“Andries had a bit of tonsillitis while Coenie trained in a con- trolled environment and Eben is expected to take full part tomorrow and the first session on Irish soil on Monday,” said Coetzee.
He also poured cold water on suggestions that Toulon-based Duane Vermeulen could return to the side in the event of injuries to his loose forwards.
Coetzee said on tour he will first look at continuity in the fi rst two Tests against Ireland and France before possibly blooding new players against Italy and Wales.
“In those conditions we will have to be able to be very patient and prepared to build phases in order to break defences down,” he said.