All Blacks to cut Boks' 'fuel' supply in Baltimore
SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks scrumhalf Cam Roigard admitted that the Greatest Rivalry Test matches have been the biggest of his career so far, and he aims to be part of a squad that can level the series against the Springboks in Baltimore on Saturday.
After three Tests in South Africa, the Boks have a 2-1 advantage after wins in Cape Town and Soweto.
The All Blacks will be underdogs again in the fourth Test in the USA, especially after losing stalwarts like captain Ardie Savea, Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson to injuries.
Despite the injuries, after last weekend’s 24-29 defeat in Soweto, Roigard knows that his team are making too many mistakes at critical moments.
“We created a lot of opportunities. We got ourselves in the right area of the field, but we missed probably two or three opportunities, particularly in that second half, which against a team like South Africa, it’s not good enough,” Roigard told allblacks.com.
“South Africans, they don’t want to make errors, so they’re gonna try and put pressure on us through set-piece, through kicking and whatnot.
“When we’re making mistakes, that’s just fuel in their game.”
After three Tests in a row against the World Champions, Roigard can sense the growth in the squad, and he believes it could be a stepping stone for greater things to come.
“I knew before coming in, if I was to play and start, that these would be the biggest games of my career, at the moment.
“And they definitely have been. They’ve tested me and the team in many ways, but all for the better.
“We feel like we’re still early doors in terms of what we can achieve or what we’re building towards. But I think everyone’s pretty excited in terms of where we can get to. Good things take time.”
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On the fixtures against the Boks, Roigard added: “It’s where we get tested and where you grow the most.
“I feel like I’ve still got a lot to give. I feel like I can still play a lot better. I want to finish this tour strong and have a massive impact in this last test.”
Source allblacks.com
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