VIDEO - Bower: 'I want to scrum'
Prop George Bower believes the All Blacks’ scrum has made significant strides since their opening Test victory in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the Springboks at Ellis Park last month.
Bower, who will start at loosehead prop in the all-important third Test of the series at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, will make just his sixth appearance against South Africa.
The 34-year-old was influential for the All Blacks when he came off the bench in the first Test, winning a scrum penalty in the 55th minute, which changed the complexion of the game.
He started the second Test in Cape Town in place of the injured Ethan de Groot and, although he didn’t impose himself, Bower helped keep the Boks from gaining the dominance they have become accustomed to in recent seasons.
The clash in Soweto will present Bower, along with front-row partners Tyrel Lomax and hooker Asafo Aumua, an opportunity to test their mettle against a fired-up Bok forward pack.
Much of the talk leading up to the game has centred on comments made by Dave Rennie, who accused South Africa of ‘walking around’ in the scrums after the 26-33 loss in the Mother City.
When asked for his take on the ongoing scrum debate, the front rower said the All Blacks have used their battles with the Springboks to find solutions and take their scrum to ‘another level’.
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“South Africa’s been good scrum-wise,” he told reporters.
“For us as a front row, and as a pack, there’s been some good learning that we’ve taken from Test one and Test two that we’ve put into this week.
“I guess it’s been pretty good because we’ve tried to find solutions and also find ways to elevate our scrum even to another level. It’s been awesome coming up against the Boks, one of the best scrummaging teams in the world, and we’ve got another challenge this week.
“Obviously, there’s been a lot of talk around both sides of the scrum, but it comes down to that first scrum, and I guess we’ll see who does the talking.”
There’s been plenty of narratives that have shaped the series from the outset.
In the first week, the All Blacks made it clear they would try to play a fast game and run the Boks off their feet.
There was also a perception that New Zealand just wanted to play and avoid the scrums at all costs.
Bower dismissed those claims, adding that the All Blacks embrace the set-piece battle.
“I love to scrum, so I want to scrum,” he openly said.
“I know South Africa’s mindset when it comes to scrums; they pride themselves on their scrum. They see that as their avenue to get their penalties and front-foot ball and move up the field.
“For us as well, we are right up there; we want to challenge them, we know they’re coming, but we’re coming too.
“For me, I want to scrum, and I know that my back five as well wants to scrum.”
Before the series, Bower had previously faced the Boks in 2022 at Ellis Park in a match that ended 35-23 in their favour.
He missed out on the World Cup final and the two Tests at Eden Park and Wellington last year.
Reflecting on his return, he said he was grateful to have been selected and given the opportunity to play.
“It’s pretty cool; I’ve been kind of on standby for the past couple of years.
“I haven’t played the Boks since 2022. To play in this series, I kind of took a step back to reflect on it, and I was quite grateful to be selected in the squad and then to play as well. I’m so grateful to be there.
“I had to get my head around it even starting now; I’m here to help the team grow, but also to really push for this rivalry.
“I know it starts upfront, so I’ve got a big role out there as well as the other front rowers with me.”
