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All Blacks stars predict outcome of British and Irish Lions series against Springboks
All Blacks stars Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara and Brodie Retallick have all offered their thoughts on the outcome of the upcoming British and Irish Lions series of South Africa.
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The Lions are due to visit the country for an eight-match tour between July and August, with a three-test series against the Springboks being the blue-ribbon event of the trip.
Much has been made about the feasibility of the tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but organisers are forging ahead with staging the tour in South Africa, which has been ravaged by the virus with over 1.5m cases and more than 50,000 deaths.
Nevertheless, the Lions look set to travel to the Republic for the first time since 2009, although it seems likely the tour will go ahead without any fans.
The absence of the boisterous Lions faithful, as well as their South African counterparts, will play a significant role in the outcome of the test series, according to Retallick.
Speaking to media over a Zoom call, the 81-test lock, who is currently on sabbatical with Top League club Kobelco Steelers in Japan, said it’s “hard” to predict a winner between the two sides.
However, the 29-year-old – who, along with Perenara and Barrett, faced the Lions when they toured New Zealand in 2017 – conceded the lack of atmosphere provided by Lions fans could hurt the touring side’s chances of success.
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“It’s always hard beating South Africa in South Africa. I think a massive part of the Lions experience, for me, was having their travelling supporters,” Retallick said.
“They almost took over our stadiums with the singing and the chanting and stuff, which, obviously, will be a massive support, so it’ll be a tough one.”
He added the fact that the Springboks haven’t played a test since their successful World Cup campaign in Japan two years ago could also work in favour of the Lions, whose players will have already featured in at least one Six Nations and an Autumn Nations Cup since 2019.
“They probably haven’t had much rugby, South Africa, in terms of test rugby, but, again, it’s very hard to beat South Africa in South Africa, so we’ll wait and see. Either way, I’m sure it will be a good spectacle.”
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Retallick’s view of how the tour may play out echoed the sentiments issued by Perenara, who said the absence of the Lions supporters and the lack of tests played by the Springboks since the World Cup could impact both sides.
All Blacks great Beauden Barrett is all for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman also involving two Pacific Islands teams, but also wants to see some Japanese flavour in the mix.https://t.co/aYZdzTSXnN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 28, 2021
“It’s tough, like it’ll be hard to beat South Africa in South Africa, no matter what team you are in the world,” the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes halfback, who also confirmed he is deadly serious about a cross-code move to the NRL later this year, said.
“What’s going against the Springboks is the amount of games they’ve played since the World Cup final, the amount of time they’ve spent as a team, but it’s hard to bet against South Africa in South Africa. They’re a really, really good team.”
Barrett, meanwhile, said hoped the tour went ahead as planned despite the circumstances and restrictions rugby fans in South Africa are currently faced with.
“I understand there are a lot of challenges, being COVID in amongst that, but, yeah, I’m looking forward to [the series],” the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year – who, like Retallick and Perenara, is also on sabbatical in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath – said.
“I’m not sure where they’re at with COVID… whether there are going to be crowds at the stadiums in South Africa, but I couldn’t think of many better things [than a Lions tour with live fans].
“Having that home advantage is important, especially if the fans from the UK can support as well, because that’s one big part of it, seeing the sea of red travel, the singing. It just adds to the significance of the Lions series.
“It’s exciting. Hopefully they can make this happen. It wouldn’t be the same if there were no fans, but I mean it would be great to see the match.”
“Coming to Japan was definitely a result of how much rugby I played in those first five or six years.”
Brodie Retallick sheds light on his future plans and his less-than-typical introduction to the world of professional rugby. #AllBlackshttps://t.co/ptFSo2a3eA
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) April 28, 2021
The Lions will play Japan in a warm-up test at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on June 26 before they kick their tour of South Africa off against the Stormers in Cape Town a week later.
Their test series against the Springboks will get underway on July 24 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, while two further tests are scheduled to be held in Cape Town on July 31 and then back in Johannesburg at Ellis Park on August 7.
Retallick, Perenara and Barrett, meanwhile, will all take part in next week’s Top League quarter-finals after their sides won in the second round of the competition’s play-offs last weekend.
Perenara’s Red Hurricanes are set to square off against a Toyota Verblitz side featuring ex-All Blacks captain Kieran Read, Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper and Springboks fullback Willie le Roux in Kumamoto next Saturday.
Retallick’s Kobelco Steelers will then face the Kubota Spears, headlined the likes of Ryan Crotty, Bernard Foley and Malcolm Marx, in Fukuroi the following day.
That match will be followed by a showdown between Barrett’s Suntory Sungoliath and the Ricoh Black Rams in Oita.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments