Recap: New Zealand vs South Africa LIVE | Rugby World Cup
Follow all the action from the World Cup match on the RugbyPass live blog as defending champions New Zealand take on South Africa in Yokohama.
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South Africa post-match press conference:
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen believes there are up to half a dozen teams who could threaten their bid for a hat-trick of successive World Cup titles.
The All Blacks are overwhelming favourites with bookmakers to clinch the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan having triumphed in the past two editions, while their last defeat in the tournament came 12 years ago.
However, Hansen is not taking his rivals lightly as he admitted the defence of their title will be tougher than it was in 2015.
(Continue reading below…)
Ahead of his side’s Pool B opener against South Africa, Hansen said: “It’s going to be competitive – they’re always competitive. It always makes me chuckle when I hear people say this side can’t win or this team is going to win.
“There are a number of sides who are capable of winning it because they have the talent in the group, but with that comes higher expectation, and with higher expectation comes more pressure. If you don’t cope with the pressure, it will overwhelm you.
“There are probably more teams who can win this tournament than the last one. In 2015, there were probably two or three; this time probably five or six, which is great for rugby.”
While the Kiwis have seemed invincible for over a decade, there were some signs of weaknesses in the Rugby Championship, when they drew to the Springboks in Wellington at lost to Australia in Perth.
Asked whether he is as optimistic about his side’s chances as four years ago, Hansen replied: “As confident as I can be. We’ve got the talent in the group to get the job done.
“It’s just whether we earn the right to get all the way there. In knockout rugby, you only have to have one bad day and home you go.”
Herschel Jantjies guaranteed a share of the spoils for South Africa a couple of months ago, before which New Zealand had won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the teams
Hansen said: “We’ve had a really good week. Preparations have been great. The boys are excited about it. We’re in good shape from a match fitness point of view. Will there be nerves? Of course. If there aren’t we’re in trouble. Nerves are a good thing, but once the game begins we’ll switch on and get on with it.”
Hansen revealed he is pleased that captain and number eight Kieran Read is starting to become “more and more demanding”. He added: “He’s an inclusive captain, he keeps his team around him, he leads from the front, and how he wants to play.
“He’s starting to get more and more demanding, which I like. It’s important he demands expectations. He’s recovered from his back (problems) now and is really playing some good footy. He’s a smart captain.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments