The All Blacks know what's coming, and little that the Springboks will do at Eden Park on Saturday will come as a surprise to them.
They also sense an opportunity in the Boks’ failing defence, which was exposed by Australia in the two tests at the start of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
That’s the view of All Black attack coach Scott Hansen, who believes the All Blacks will have the measure of the Springboks and keep their incredible record of being unbeaten at Eden Park since 1994 alive.
The Boks have a four game winning streak over their greatest rivals, but that all means nothing come Saturday.
OPPORTUNITY AGAINST RUSH DEFENCE
Hansen believes the frailties the Boks have shown up in defence have been noticed, and the All Blacks sense an opportunity there.
“Yeah, I think so. And every team looking at South Africa will see there’s opportunities. Where they’re world class is they look like they’re there, then all of a sudden they’re not. So, it’s again how we adjust to it. We’ve got our planning and prep around opportunities we feel that will be there, but also understanding the adjustments that we feel they will make also,” Hansen said.
The assistant coach added that he believes they know what to prepare for and there shouldn’t be too many surprises this weekend.
“We know what they’re about. They’re direct, they’re physical and they go to the air. So, we know what’s coming,” Hansen added.
DIFFERENT STYLE
“Our fighting style is different. We want to manipulate differently. So, it’s how we can control and adjust during the test. The All Blacks are at their best when our attack is being decisive and we’re earning opportunities through our defence. So, we have to be courageous.”
The record of not having lost at Eden Park for 50 tests is weighing heavily on the hosts and there is a proud record to defend, not to mention 100 tests for All Black legend Ardie Savea but Hansen believes his side have got what it takes to walk away with a win.
“Yeah, the occasion’s a good one to look forward to. There’s intensity there. It’s a massive opportunity for us this week – the world champions at home at Eden Park. So we’re really looking forward to the challenge. It’s a good challenge to have off the back of a performance that was below where we wanted it to be, to have to step into the ring with the world champions with the Eden Park record on the line.”