Fear factor
FULLSTOP, new sentence. The All Blacks believed they have rebooted and refocused for a Rugby World Cup semifinal against South Africa that will be no place for the faint hearted. After a week of platitudes, Steve Hansen ended the phoney war in emphatic fashion when he told the world he expected the Springboks to try to ‘‘tear the All Blacks’ heads off’’ at Twickenham.
Hansen’s no mug. He was directing his comments at the Springboks and his message was clear. His side had not been lulled into any complacency after their 62-13 quarterfinal massacre of France.
He described some of the things that had been said and written about his team in the past week as ‘‘outrageous’’ and he meant it.
As the world fawned over the way the All Blacks plucked the French in Cardiff, Hansen’s coaching staff and players put their performance in perspective.
They were pleased, but realistic, that France had not fronted for the fight, rolled over in the first half hour, then been cannon fodder in the second half.
South Africa present a far tougher prospect. History tells the All Blacks as much and so does a team sheet good enough to leave veteran lock Victor Matfield and prop Jannie du Plessis in the reserves.
If putting a ‘‘fullstop’’ on the French test was the motto of Hansen’s review on Monday, re-establishing the ‘‘fear’’ of going home next week has been the theme since.
‘‘It’s a stupid man that doesn’t fear the guy you’re fighting,’’ he said. ‘‘That fear heightens everything. It makes sure all the emotions are in the right place so you can actually deliver the performance you need to.’’
Hansen will feel the week has gone well. Wyatt Crockett aside, he has his best team on the park.
Manager Darren Shand secured the right to arrive at the ground second. The Springboks will arrive 45 minutes earlier and risk losing crucial focus as they count the minutes until kickoff in their smaller dressing room.
Key men are in form. First-five Dan Carter and wing Julian Savea have their swagger back and Nehe Milner-Skudder has made the World Cup his dance floor.
The All Blacks will not mind the physical challenge where Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read will relish locking horns with opposites Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen, and locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock likewise with their young opponents.
SOUTH AFRICA can be limited in their ability to follow their instincts, but talent, passion and an ability to pinpoint a side’s weaknesses are not an issue.
Halfback Fourie du Preez is the key man.
He decides how long they will grind away with one-off runners and when they will kick, and is sure to target Milner-Skudder’s wing with box kicks and send Bryan Habana to chase.
Conversely the All Blacks will see opportunities. Fullback Ben Smith’s decision-making will be key as he looks to return fire on foot or via his boot.
Burger has reinvented himself this season. He is one of the top off-loaders at the tournament and is creating holes for those around him, but it’s first-five Handre Pollard’s flat running game that needs most attention.
The All Blacks can be caught out near the ruck when their tight forwards are slow to realign and Pollard has an exciting second-five on his shoulder in Damian de Allende.
The Springboks are sure to target loosehead Joe Moody early and attempt to unsettle the set piece.
Hansen’s side will be prepared, just as they were against France when the motivation of avenging the 2007 quarterfinal loss sharpened the focus.
Absorb South Africa’s pressure, take the chances on offer, don’t give away ruck penalties, and the All Blacks will be confident they have the bench to sprint away down the stretch.
In the build up to the quarterfinal Hansen dipped into World Cup past and found an obvious spark, but this time history provides a mixed bag.
The Springboks left a scar on the All Blacks psyche in 1995 when they won the final 15-12, but that loss was largely avenged during the 2003 World Cup quarterfinal in Melbourne.
Hansen will be playing master-motivator once again this week. Only this time he won’t need any history books.
The rivalry and mutual respect of the two sides and the danger of being knocked out of the tournament in the present will ensure Richie McCaw and his men are primed and ready to go again.
It’s a stupid man that doesn’t fear the guy you’re fighting. That fear heightens everything. It makes sure all the emotions are in the right place. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen