Robertson on whether the All Blacks are ready for 'rugby storm' from Springboks

The All Blacks first Test of the year kicks off against France for a three test series, but the highly anticipated two Tests against the Springboks are the highlight of the home calendar.

Speaking with fans on Jason Pine’s Newstalk ZB radio show, Scott Robertson was asked if the All Blacks are ready for the “rugby storm” coming from the “fearsome and organised” Springboks later in the year.

The Springboks battered a Barbarians team 54-7 over the weekend that had seven former or current All Blacks, including players like Leicester Fainga’anuku who may return to the current squad this year.

Rassie Erasmus wants Boks’ attack to improve

Rassie Erasmus wants Boks’ attack to improve

Robertson credited Rassie Erasmus for transforming the Springboks’ identity and building up depth in the squad.

“Rassie over the last six years, coming into his seventh year, has built pretty incredible depth in his squad,” Robertson said.

“A really clear identity, they know how they are going to play.

“They dominate, they’re coming through the front door. It’s quite clear in what they do.”

Last year the All Blacks lost both Tests in South Africa, but by tight margins of four and six points respectively.

In Johannesburg the All Blacks lost 31-27 after leading by 10 points with a quarter of the game to go, while in Cape Town the Springboks held a 13-12 lead in the dying stages before a late try sealed an 18-12 win.

Robertson hinted that the All Blacks didn’t have the complete 23 selected to close out those games, with a relatively inexperienced bench at the time.

“Obviously last year it came down to a one score game at the end of it,” Robertson said.

“We led them by 10 points [at Ellis Park] and we wanted to move them around the field and hold ball for a long period of time.

“There was just a couple little moments which changed the Test match that we didn’t quite go our way. Discipline is really important around it.

“Look, you’ve got to give full respect to them, they know how they’re going to play, we know how we are going to play. We’ve just got to do it for an 80 minute period and make sure we have a 23 that can carry out that game plan.

“We’ve got the skills and the players ready for the 5th of September.”