'It's the physicality, they're bigger men': Midfield test awaits All Blacks
While Ian Foster has searched for his ideal midfield combination this year with Jack Goodhue sidelined for the season, the Springboks have continued to build with their established pair of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am.
The pair of South African midfielders are in top form, with Am in particular making big defensive plays after an impressive Lions series that saw him contain the likes of Elliot Daly, Chris Harris and Robbie Henshaw.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Crusader halfback Bryn Hall praised Am’s work as ‘fantastic’ in their high pressure system which ask the centres and wingers to fly up off the line a lot of the time.
“He was fantastic in that British & Irish Lions series, more so around his defensive reads, being able to put line speed pressure on teams,” Hall said.
“I think the way with the South Africa’s defence is, with him playing so high with Kolbe and Mapimpi, it’s a real confidence boost when the midfielders make good decisions. Am has been doing that consistently.
“I’ve really enjoyed De Allende as well, he brings a real good go-forward off their line out and mauls. They had a lot of penalty advantages and they played a lot through him, playing 12 and him carrying.
That type of confrontational approach will put the spotlight on the All Blacks midfielders in The Rugby Championship, where current second five David Havili will have to provide support on the inside to the likes of Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett.
The ‘big battle’ for the All Blacks will be dealing with the ‘bigger men’ in the Springboks centres and the physicality they bring.
“They’ve played a British & Irish Lions series together and been really good and strong. That test match against Argentina on the weekend was good as well so I think it’s going to be a great challenge for the All Blacks and the likes of David Havili moving forward,” Hall said.
“It’s the physicality, and they’re bigger men. It’s going to be a test for our midfield, ALB or Rieko at centre. It’s going to be a big battle when we hopefully get the opportunity to play them.”
Former All Black hooker James Parsons explained that the pressure system that the Springboks run works in large part because of the decisions of Am.
“The thing I like about Am is, he has the ability to rush up defensively. And I think he’s one of the biggest reasons why South Africa is so successful in their defensive system,” Parsons explained.
“We all know that 13, I believe, is the hardest position on the field probably to defend. You have to connect with those inside, but the wingers outside can sometimes be 50-50, in that backfield in that pendulum play.
“But what Am does so well, is he gets up, he almost says ‘do you want to throw an intercept? You are going to have to throw it over me which will give me time to recover’, which he does so well.
“But when he gets up there and their numbers are down, he has the ability to slide as well. His work rate to cover that outside channel once the ball has gone there is outstanding.
The former Blues hooker highlighted Am’s work in the second test against the Pumas, where Am made a try-saving play just by being there at the end of the movement and an opportunity came up to snatch away possession.
“You saw that in the 80th minute when he got back and intercepted that ball. The Argies just bobbled it and he sort of just got it, but he didn’t give up on the play. And that’s the biggest thing he’s doing so well defensively.
“He never gives up on the play. He works extremely hard to split with De Allende, so they’ve got both sides of the field and they’re looking after and marshalling the troops inside them.
“There is a lot of stuff he does that doesn’t actually involve him doing an action, that forces the opposition to do something and play into their hands and go back into their big boys.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments