'All strategies are risk-reward: What Ian Foster thinks of the Springboks' bench
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is expecting a ‘game of chess’ from the Springboks as they prepare for the first of two confirmed clashes this year.
After sharing honours 1-all the last two years, neither side has been able to gain ascendency in the rivalry since the last World Cup.
With a potential quarter-final showdown on the cards later this year in France, the All Blacks are expecting to get a ‘marker’ of where they are at.
“Quite honestly there is nothing better than playing South Africa, it brings the best of both teams,” Foster told the media.
“We love these games and yes, we will get a clear marker of where we are at.”
The Springboks bench has been touted as a key strength of the side with experienced players of starting quality such as Malcolm Marx, Duane Vermeulen and Pieter-Steph du Toit all named in the reserves.
The formerly named ‘bomb squad’ has been upgraded to the ‘nuke squad’ as the Springboks prepare to unload their forward power on the the All Blacks with a 6-2 split.
Foster didn’t appear too fussed about the prospect of handling the Boks bench, saying that they are ‘used to it’ after a number of years facing what is two packs.
“That’s been their strategy for a number of years really. They like adding fresh legs through their pack,” Foster said.
“It’s been done for a number of years so we are kind of used to that strategy. It challenges you.”
The All Blacks have named hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and boom rookie prop Tamaiti Williams on the bench to counter the Boks.
Taukei’aho was exceptional against South Africa last year, whilst Williams clocking in at 139kg is a powerful prospect in his own right.
Tupou Vaa’i performed well off the bench against the Argentinians and reserve flanker Dalton Papalii is a disruptive force who can deliver impact.
Foster admitted that the All Blacks have considered using a 6-2 split themselves, but like anything, has risk that can be turned against you.
The Springboks found that out at Ellis Park last year after losing two outside backs in the first quarter of action, forcing a reshuffle for a number of players into unfamiliar positions.
“We’ve considered it. I think a lot of it depends on your playing group. All strategies are risk-reward, isn’t it?” he said.
“We’ve got a number of players we believe are 80-minute players. If we overload that area [the bench], we might be making a change for the sake of making a change rather than because we think it is the right thing.
“It suits them and that’s great. It probably doesn’t suit as at the moment.”
After South Africa’s 43-12 demolition of Eddie Jones’ Wallabies side, the All Blacks are expecting more of the same at Mt Smart.
Foster predicted that the Boks would use the ball again and play an expansive style of game.
“I expect them to use the ball, we’ve seen that. We saw that last week [against Australia],” he predicted.
“We saw that against us last year. They are a quality team, they aren’t world champions for nothing.
“They’ve got the ability to play a wide game, a fast game, but also they’ve got that Springbok DNA of control and set-piece, and aerial battle as well.
“You’ve got to expect both and we’d be foolish to prepare for one.”
The All Blacks head coach hinted that his side will play their cards close and won’t show their full hand in what will be close to a Rugby Championship title decider.
“There is a game of chess going here too. We play them again at Twickenham and there might be a potential game in a World Cup tournament,” Foster said.
“How much do you show and how much do you not show?
“In our mindset we are keeping it nice and simple. It’s an All Blacks-Springboks Test and these mean a lot to us.
“We are preparing for both strategies we know they can play well.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to comments