VIDEO: Robertson had 'tough conversations' over team selection
SPOTLIGHT: All Black head coach Scott Robertson admitted that his team’s performance in the final stages of matches this season influenced his selection for Saturday’s clash against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara were benched as New Zealand made five changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship Round Four clash.
Robertson has brought in Cortez Ratima for Perenara at scrumhalf and moved Will Jordan to fullback in place of Barrett.
The All Blacks have struggled to maintain their momentum in the final quarter of their last three matches
In last weekend’s 27-31 defeat at Ellis Park, they had a 27-17 lead with 12 minutes left on the clock before they crumbled under the Boks’ pressure.
Robertson is hoping that Beauden Barrett and Perenara can provide the much-needed impact off the bench during the closing stages in Cape Town.
“We looked at it and it is important to have experience at the end of the game,” said Robertson.
“It’s a great couple of names to put on with a lot of Tests and a lot of experience.
“They can come on and finish the job for us.”
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Robertson said it was not an easy decision to drop those players to the bench.
“It’s a tough conversation.
“They are both great team men. They have been around for a long period and they know the All Black jersey.
“If they need to come on and finish the job, they will.
“You’ve got to be really respectful in those conversations and talk about the reasons why.
“They understood. They want to start and they want to be out there for the majority of the match, but how we finish the match is the key.”
@rugby365com
