'It's going to come again': All Black boss predicts Rassie's game plan
SPOTLIGHT: All Black head coach Scott Robertson believes he has a fairly good idea of what to expect from the Springboks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Round Four clash in Wellington.
Last weekend at Eden Park, with Handre Pollard in the No.10 position, the high ball was a big feature of the Boks’ game plan in a 17-24 defeat.
Robertson’s is expecting more of the same in the rematch, but he also believes the Boks have some different skillsets with ball in hand after Rassie Erasmus selected a new-look backline headlined by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse in No.10 and No.12 channels.
The All Black boss has also tweaked his backline with a spotlight on Paris Olympian Leroy Carter, making his debut in the No.11 jersey.
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“There is a balance, guys who played well last week and a little bit of continuity, but also some skillsets for this weekend,” said Robertson.
“Obviously, Leroy Carter gets a go on the wing, and we keep DMac [Damian McKenzie] at fullback, and Will [Jordan] can play on the other wing, which gives us really good backfield coverage.
“We know it’s going to come again, the aerial battle, and it’s a great balance.”
On Erasmus’ backline selections, Robertson added: “The skillsets change.
“Obviously, he [Erasmus] is going with a bit more balance in the game, so that they keep the ball in hand and trust the speed and the athletes that they have picked.
“You prepare for both [ball in hand and aerial battle].
“The forecast looks pretty good, but we just check it day to day here in Wellington.”
Meanwhile, Robertson has also called on his team to bring the physicality and execution that helped edge the Boks last weekend.
“Both teams went toe to toe in the physicality side of it, and we were disciplined enough at the end of the game to create opportunities to close it out,” he said.
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