1
New All Blacks set to 'face the wrath' of Springboks physicality
Seven All Blacks will face the Springboks for the first time on Saturday night, in what will be the 100th test between the two rival nations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan Blackadder, Brad Weber and Quinn Tupaea will all enter Saturday’s game without any first-hand experience of what it’s like to face off with the world champions.
Weber and Jacobson made their test debuts prior to 2020 but while they were a part of squads that went to battle with the Springboks, they themselves were never lucky enough to be selected for the encounters.
With Saturday’s clash marking the first time the two sides will square off since the 2019 World Cup, due to South Africa withdrawing from all test rugby last year, the All Blacks new to the test scene since that World Cup will also unsurprisingly be earning their first caps against the Springboks.
For some, like Jordan, Blackadder and Tupaea, who also have somewhat limited exposure to Super Rugby, playing South African opposition in any shape will come as a relatively new experience.
That will be the standard moving forward, however, with South African sides no longer competing in the revamped Super Rugby Pacific competition, instead committing to the United Rugby Championship in Europe.
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says that means younger players will face a tough trial by fire – but that’s simply the new normal.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Pretty much, they’re just going to experience it when they come to test level, it’s just the way it is,” Savea said following the side’s captain’s run on Friday.
“Being able to play Super against them, you kind of got a feel on how the players play, their tendencies, and it kind of prepped you a little bit, in terms of what to expect. I guess that’s not happening [so to be] short and sharp, the news guys that haven’t done that, they’ve just got to face the wrath, face the force this week.”
That presents a new challenge for top dog Ian Foster and his fellow coaches, who have had to prepare one-third of the match-day squad for their first encounter with one of the most physical, confrontational and fearless teams in world sport.
South Africa have shown in the past they can quickly turn things around… As a world champion side, should we expect the same from the current Springboks? #Springboks #AllBlacks #NZLvRSA
✍️ @JamieWall2https://t.co/Kr0nZrx4TW
— RugbyPass+ (@RugbyPassPlus) September 24, 2021
“It’s more about understanding the style that we’re going to come up against and it’s one of the beauties of the international game, is that you play teams with very, very different styles,” Foster said after naming his side.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If you look at the last 18 months, we’ve predominantly played a couple of teams with a very similar style so it’s actually nice now to get into a different one and clearly it’ll be a style that’ll probably take us a little while to adapt to but we hope that we adapt very, very quick.”
Speaking to the media on Thursday, 23-year-old Will Jordan – whose sole experience playing South African sides totals a 30-minute cameo for the Crusaders against the Sharks in 2019 – suggested that the All Blacks have a reasonable idea of what to expect from the Springboks, regardless of some of the player’s limited exposure to the world champions.
“We’re expecting a hugely physical battle and just a real tough test match,” he said.
“It’s probably no secret we’re going to get a few high balls. That’s a huge part of the South Africans’ DNA, with the ability to kick and apply pressure that way.”
The All Blacks kick off their 100th test with the Springboks at 5:05pm AEST on Saturday evening from Townsville in Queensland, Australia.
Catch up on the latest discussion with the Aotearoa Rugby Pod:
Comments on RugbyPass
I'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. Those praising him are a joke.
13 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.
19 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.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
13 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.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
13 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
13 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
13 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to comments