All Blacks 'see an opportunity' to knock the Springboks over
INTERVIEW: Let the #REAL games begin!
South Africa hosts New Zealand in the first match of the four-Test Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg this coming Saturday.
So far, media coverage has been heavily focused on the build-up, tactical mind games, and the teams’ preparations, following the All Blacks’ warm-up win over the Bulls.
Now the focus shifts to the Test series.
With the All Blacks having looked sharp and more disciplined in their win over the Bulls, compared to earlier tour outings against under-strength franchises, the Kiwis believe they have the beating of the Springboks.
Knocking over the world’s top-ranked team and back-to-back World Cup champions will require their fast-paced, expansive game to function at an optimal level.
All Black assistant coach Mike Blair believes they do have a game plan to beat the Springboks.
“I think it’s really important to believe that you do,” Blair said in the wake of the 50-19 demolition of the Bulls this past weekend.
“We’ve been working towards this [first Test] for quite some time.
“We know what South Africa can bring.
“They’ve got some real strengths in amongst their DNA.”
(Article continues below the Mike Blair interview …)
There is a growing confidence in the All Blacks camp that they have a real chance to upstage the Boks.
“We see some opportunities as well.
“Yes, we would need to be the top of our game, but we see some opportunities out there definitely.
“We’re looking forward to getting to the Test Series now.”
Reflecting on their most impressive performance of the tour, an eight-tries-to-three victory at Loftus Versfeld, Blair said they are “pleased” to get the win and pleased to score 50 points.
“I think it was filled with lots of good moments,” the assistant coach said.
“We probably lacked the consistency across the 80 minutes, but pleased to get the win.
“I think probably one of the key things was that the offloads weren’t quite sticking.
“Against the Sharks in Durban in poor conditions, I think we stuck 18 from 20, which is a great number for us.
“Against the Bulls we created opportunities, but I think just a little bit of sloppiness around some of our skill set and our offloads let them off the hook, but some nice build-up play.”
He said those issues are easy to fix.
“A lot of it’s around sighting the target.
“Making sure that we see that pass before we give it.
“These are things that we’re doing week in, week out, so we’ve just got to keep on top of them.”
Given the All Blacks’ high standards, Blair said they have some really talented players.
“We’ve scored some great tries.
“We’re aware against South Africa, we’re going to get fewer opportunities.
“So when we do get them, we’ve got to be right on with our skill set and our decision-making.
“That’s something that we’re reviewing, talking about, and we’re training a lot as well.”
He said the players have been excellent throughout, with lots of enthusiasm and energy.
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