'Nothing in that game': Rennie delivers blunt assessment after victory over Boks

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has provided his initial thoughts on his side’s important first Test victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park.

The All Blacks, who trailed at half-time by one point, overcame the back-to-back World Cup winners in Johannesburg to take a 1-0 lead in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series.

Their 33-16, five-tries-to-one victory over the Springboks was built off an impressive second-half performance, despite trailing at halftime.

Will Jordan’s late five-pointer sealed the deal for Rennie’s men, but the head coach was quick to cool the jets on the performance.

“Oh, look, incredibly proud,” Rennie told reporters at Ellis Park.

“Look, there was nothing in that game. I know the score, you know, might sound convincing, but it was an absolute arm wrestle. At 19-16, we were under the pump, and the boys barred up.

“We defended and defended, and then we were clinical when we got our opportunities. So yeah, I’m really proud, and it was a massive effort, you know, and a great result for us.

“But you know, we’re wary of the response that we’ll get next week.”

Rennie added that an important part of the contest was when the Springboks were penalised by English referee Matthew Carley at scrum time, for walking around.

“I think we’ll always debate scrums, and I reckon every team does. You know, when you get penalised, you question whether they’re walking around.

“They got penalised for walking around eventually, and that was probably a key moment in the game. We got great impact off the bench.”

Despite scoring five tries on the night, the All Blacks head coach said they are still far from the finished product.

“I’m still really proud. But you know we’re still in our infancy. We’re still getting our head around exactly how we want to play, and we’re growing.

“We’ve got some good young men coming through. And so yeah, nice to get a result tonight.”

Rennie admitted that although there are four Tests, winning the first one against the Springboks was always going to be hugely important.

“Oh look, it’s massive. I mean, look, you’ve got a leg up.

“Obviously, it doesn’t guarantee anything, and what we know is they’re such a good side. So, yeah, next week’s going to be just as tough. It’s nice to be one up, and we’ll enjoy a quiet beer.

“There’s a number of guys going to have to play again on Tuesday, and then back up again on Saturday, especially with a couple of injuries tonight. So, we’ll enjoy the moment, but we’ll turn our focus quickly to the Lions.”

Highlanders loosehead prop Ethan de Groot left the field after a nasty head clash with All Blacks teammate Josh Lord, adding to how the prop was already feeling.

“Ethan de Groot was crook overnight, but yeah, look, we’re really happy with the effort up front, and the scrum was really solid in that last 30.”

“Obviously, it was a head clash, which is problematic long term.

“Neither of those guys can play on Tuesday, and probably can’t play Saturday. Depends on the protocols and what happened on the sideline. Grooter [de Groot] went home early from the captain’s run yesterday and spent a long time in bed.”