Dave Rennie jokes Ardie Savea can solve All Blacks' slow-start woes

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has approached his side’s slow start from a different angle, suggesting there could be a pretty simple solution.

The Springboks levelled the series at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, overpowering the All Blacks from start to finish. Rassie Erasmus’ side led from minute one, dominating the collision area during the first 40 minutes.

The home side started the better of the two powerhouses, taking advantage of the All Blacks’ slow start. All Blacks second-five Jordie Barrett claimed the first kick-off of the game, before booting it into touch just past the 22-metre line.

The Springboks recycled the lineout, building phases as they approached the All Blacks’ line to open the scoring through Jesse Kriel.

Addressing reporters in Cape Town post-match, the All Blacks head coach looked across to his captain, Ardie Savea, and joked about whether the pre-match toss could have had an impact.

“We might get him [Savea] to win a toss so we can kick off,” Rennie joked.

“Oh, look, they got field position, and they got a lineout early. They mauled off that and then got them behind us, and then a lot of big men playing on top; we just have got to do a better job.

“There were various times we’d have a multi-phase in our 22, and our boys barred up. We got two on the tackle, and eventually caused turnovers.

“So you just have to be able to do that every time you get two shoulders and tacklers to stop their go forward. So yeah, they were very clinical in the finish line tonight.”

Rennie summed up the second Test by explaining why he’s proud of the group, who showed character having not had it all their way in Cape Town.

“We’re well aware of the quality of the team they put out. Look, I’d just start with I was really proud of our boys tonight,” the All Blacks head coach told reporters at DHL Stadium.

“We were under pump at various times and showed a lot of character and fight to stay in that game and could have stolen the draw right at the end of the game.

“So yeah, they started pretty well. I think we left a couple of opportunities out in the park in the first half, and they spent a lot of time down our end of the field.

“They get a lot of their high ball stuff back, and so that was a big that was a big part of the game.

“They were able to slow a bit of our ball down, and so we didn’t quite get the sort of continuity that we needed at times, but we created a lot tonight, so there are these little elements that will need to be better, but we’ll bounce back next week.”