All Blacks beware: Springboks returning to happy hunting ground in Wellington
There is no certainty over the outcome of this weekend’s All Blacks-Springboks test in Wellington.
That is not just because the likes of Handre Pollard and Malcolm Marx are about to slot back into the visitors’ ranks, or that there was a lack of cohesion and accuracy in the All Blacks’ defeat of the Pumas in BA.
History suggests that, of all the New Zealand cities, the Springboks perform best in the capital, whether it was at the good old Athletic Park or, since 2002, at Westpac Stadium.
Certainly, Wellington holds no fear for the Boks, compared to, say, Auckland. Not since Danie Craven’s class of 1937, known in some circles as the greatest team to ever leave New Zealand shores, have they lowered the All Blacks at the Garden of Eden.
I wasn’t there, but in 1921, on a dreadful capital day, by all accounts, the two teams fought to a 0-0 stalemate, the first of just two scoreless draws in New Zealand test match history. That also squared the series at 1-1.
In 1937, the All Blacks won the first test 13-7 in Wellington but lost the rubber 2-1, their sole series loss to the Boks on Kiwi shores.
In 1956, the tour to end all tours, the only joy the tourists found in the test series came in the second test in Wellington, which they won 8-3 off the back of tries to flanker Daan Retief and lock ‘Salty’ du Rand. Funnily enough, just 18 days later, the Boks came a cropper at the hands of New Zealand Universities. But the test defeat forced the All Blacks selectors to overhaul their tactics and personnel, introducing the likes of Don Clarke and Kevin Skinner, among others.
In 1965, the All Blacks squeaked home 6-3 via tries to Bill Birtwistle and Kel Tremain.
A 16-year hiatus was broken on the fractured 1981 tour. The under siege Boks, growing tight as a squad due to often having to sleep at venues due to security concerns, tipped over the All Blacks 24-12. The home side was at sixes and sevens with its selections, but that should not detract from the fact that the Boks pack and the unerring boot of Naas Botha, who collected 20 points, was on top throughout. Wing Gerrie Germishuys scored the match’s only try.
The 1994 Boks may have stolen the win at Athletic Park had it not been for the brilliance of Zinzan Brooke in the infamous Johan Le Roux biting match. The final score read 13-9.
You could argue that the 1998 All Blacks would have beaten the Boks on the same ground if Carlos Spencer had not left his kicking boots in the decrepit old changing rooms. You could argue that, but the Boks, under the canny coaching of Nick Mallett, were the better side and were well on the way to winning the Tri Nations after this 13-3 victory which featured a superbly executed scrum move, finished by wing Pieter Rossouw.
There was little further cause for Springbok celebration in Wellington until 2018 when the Boks, unexpectedly and shockingly to many New Zealanders, engineered a remarkable 36-34 triumph, despite scoring less tries than the All Blacks. They took their chances and the home side had a couple of costly brain explosions, notably from Jordie Barrett. His brother Beauden was in the gun for converting just two of the six All Blacks tries.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus know his history. He knows his side can put the wind up the All Blacks, in this city and at this ground.
Let the All Blacks beware.
Watch – Michael Chieka fronts media in Brisbane:
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
50 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
50 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
50 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
50 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
50 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
50 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
50 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments