Tough week for Razor juggling defeat, injuries, legacy to uphold
NEWS: As All Black coach Scott Robertson heads into arguably the biggest week of his coaching career, the magnitude of the challenge against the Springboks at Eden Park is not lost on him.
Facing the World Champions at Eden Park on Saturday hot off their shock defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires, the 52-year-old Robertson admitted it has been a challenging time.
“There’s always pressure. That’s part of the job, the role of the responsibility, there’s a lot of power in that pressure.
“There’s a lot of focus that can come from it. So that’s your attention on a performance now, that’s the job as a head coach, to make sure we get all lined up,” Robertson told reporters in Auckland on Monday.
Besides mounting injuries, Robertson has the loss to Argentina to contend with, but also the pressure of defending an impeccable Test record against South Africa at Eden Park.
The All Blacks struggled in the air against Argentina and Robertson is expecting to see more of that same tactic from South Africa, suggesting his squad know what’s coming.
“They’ll chance their hand and then go back to the DNA, so it’s coming. We know it’s coming (the high ball) and, you know, that’s all part of it.
“That’s all part of the game, rugby’s a game of strengths and they’ve got theirs, and we’ve got ours, two different styles, we’ll pick our skills, and they pick their skills as well, which is a strength,” he explained.
The Springboks’ shock loss to Australia in the first Test does not deter the experienced coach and he expects them to bounce back this weekend.
“It’s a fine line, isn’t it, because they played some great footy, and there was a moment in the Test match, a couple of bounces and momentum went the other way.
“So, look, either way, they’ve got the skill set to do it, and what do you want to pick and believe in and that’s the thing about them.
“You know, we expect anything, they’re a very innovative group, so what comes along on the weekend, you can only prepare for what’s in front of you.”
Robertson admits the legacy at Eden Park is something his team will embrace.
“It’s a place, the amount of honour and the respect it’s been shown each time you run out there and then obviously that’s just added to that legacy and every team’s got a role and opportunity to add to it.
“We talk about it with a lot of care, we understand the figures, the history, the facts and the occasion, and that creates enough edge in itself.
“You know, human bodies are just prepared for how the mind thinks and you know that occasion and half of New Zealand are coming here.
“It’s pretty amazing. Every time we talk to someone, they feel like you’re turning up so you can’t go anywhere here and not realise the magnitude of it.”
The pressure has been exacerbated by the injury to utility back Timoci Tavatavanawi who broke his arm playing for Tasman at the weekend and requires surgery.
The All Blacks have recruited Leicester Fainga’anuku into their squad, who last played for the All Blacks in the World Cup quarterfinal against Ireland in Paris in 2023.
He has been playing for Tasman in the National Provincial Championship, having returned to New Zealand after 18 months with French club Toulon.
Robertson also explained that injured halfback Cortez Ratima will have every chance to be fit to play this weekend, even with a fractured rib that he suffered during the second Test against Argentina.
“He’s gonna go to the wire on that, so we’re gonna give him every opportunity. He’s pretty important, he’s obviously pretty sore after the game, but he’s tough,” Robertson told media in Auckland.
“It’s one great thing about Cortez, I will give him every opportunity to play.”
