De Allende on why All Blacks 'won't disappoint' at Ellis Park
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian de Allende is expecting the All Blacks to use the conditions at Ellis Park to their advantage in Round Two of this year’s Rugby Championship.
The Springboks are looking to complete a rare double over the All Blacks this weekend after they registered a 26-10 win over old foes in Round One in Mbombela.
With excellent conditions expected for the encounter at the iconic stadium in Johannesburg, De Allende believes the All Blacks will be out to throw the ball around a bit more.
“It’s going to be quite dry and that is why I think the All Blacks won’t disappoint us on Saturday,” said De Allende.
“Towards the end of the game at Mbombela it got quite greasy and I think it got quite tough for them and they had to chase the game.
“They are a world class outfit with highly skilled players who can break games wide open.
“We know how they can pass the ball around and what can happen if those passes stick, so we have to play for 80 minutes this weekend.
“We are looking forward to the challenge.”
#TeamUpdate: The Boks have been forced into a big change 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL https://t.co/gv8KARN3DH
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New-look All Blacks?
There has been a lot of speculation about the changes All Blacks coach Ian Foster will make for the second clash and that includes the midfield.
For De Allende, it doesn’t matter who Foster picks as he knows it will still be a tough challenge.
“I think they might change a few things around,” said Bok centre.
“But to change a lot in a few days will be quite tough.
“No matter what team they put out they will be strong and I think they still have a lot to offer.”
Meanwhile, Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff is expecting another huge battle in the set-pieces and mauls.
“The All Blacks are a strong outfit in the line-outs and scrums, and they always come out ready for the challenge, so they will be tough opponents on Saturday,” said Kitshoff
“Last week we didn’t get the dominance we wanted in the second half, but we have been working hard this week and hopefully we can get it right this weekend.”
Kitshoff also opened up on Joseph Dweba’s inclusion in the starting XV after Bongi Mbonambi was withdrawn from the squad as a precautionary measure after taking a knock to his knee at training on Tuesday.
“He [Dweba] has been involved in the set-up for a while, and he’s been working hard at training.
“That said, it is sad for Bongi, but hopefully he’ll be back on the field soon,” said Kitshoff, who will be playing alongside Dweba at the Stormers later this season.
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#SPOTLIGHT: ‘There’s as much on the line as there’s ever been’ 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL https://t.co/MxEpKD2XL3
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 10, 2022
