Henry wants to turn up the heat
All Blacks coach Graham Henry is throwing fuel on the fire that has the Springboks under growing pressure to produce a strong performance on Saturday.
Henry plans to uses the mounting pressure on the Springboks to his advantage by landing another psychological blow threw a victory before the World Cup.
“I would think Peter (de Villiers) and John (Smit) and the team will be desperate,” Henry told Stuff.co.nz. “It would just give them the little kick they need going into the World Cup.
“They haven’t got another game so I would think it is vital for them to win,” Henry said, pausing then adding with a smile that he was “adding a little bit more pressure” on the hosts.
Having been heavily critical of South Africa’s decision not to send a full strength team on their away leg of the Tri-Nations, New Zealand have now in turn done the same thing by leaving several experienced players at home.
Questions will be asked of the All Blacks should they lose with a weakened side full of World cup hopefuls, who may be more concerned with individual performances than a team triumph.
“We have picked the side with a view going forward,” the Kiwi coach said. “A lot of these players haven’t played a lot of rugby lately.
“They have been out injured but they are definitely major contenders for the World Cup side. We need to see them play and hopefully they will help us make the decisions needed.”
Henry dismissed any suggestions that this match was purely about his final squad selections and that the result wasn’t the main priority.
“It’s a massive challenge,” he said. “The history of All Blacks-Springboks says it’s always a major contest and it’s going to be a major contest for this group of players this weekend.
“The South Africans are due for a win and they will be on the edge of the edge, I’d imagine.
“They have picked a side that is obviously going to be very physical and carries the ball well. They have also got kicking ability, so I think it is going to be a major contest for this group.”
