All Blacks appoint Ryan in strong message to Bok rolling maul

The All Blacks have targeted the Springboks two main strengths - the lineout and rolling maul - as part of their plan to find redemption and return some pride into the black jersey.

The decision over the weekend to drop John Plumtree - one of the most experienced coaches in world rugby and a name well-known to South African fans - alongside Brad Moar from the coaching team has not only sent out a few shockwaves in an already shuddering New Zealand rugby environment, but it has also made them the scapegoats of the recent series loss to Ireland.

While head coach Ian Foster has kept his job - against public opinion and on the background of some of the worst media management after the loss that the country had seen - Plumtree and Moar have been made the culprits for the All Blacks not fronting up to the Irish forwards and current Crusaders assistant coach Jason Ryan has come into the coaching set-up.

Ryan is no stranger to top flight rugby and has a record with the Crusaders that some have boasted has not let in a rolling maul try in five years.

While that may be a bit skewed by the fact the last three seasons have seen no South African participation since the NZ Rugby Union pulled the plug on Super Rugby, Ryan is seen as a specialist when it comes to rolling mauls.

Given the Springboks’ lack of finishing in their recent test series against Wales and their reliance on the setpiece and rolling maul to get on the front foot, it is natural for any team facing the Boks to look to nullify the maul as part of the preparations.

But in bringing in Ryan and sacking Plumtree the All Blacks look a bit desperate, and it will be interesting to see what he can bring in two weeks before the Boks face the men in black in Mbombela.

One thing is for sure, the men in black will be heading to South Africa with a desperation not often seen from the world’s most successful side and Foster is the one under the most pressure as he has lost four of his last five tests against top tier nations.

Ryan has been an integral part of the breakdancing coach Scott Robertson’s reign of power at the Crusaders in Southern Hemisphere rugby but the continued shunning of the blond surfer coach seems to be at odds with what the New Zealand public has been crying out for, for years now.

Still, he is a disciple of All Black scrum guru Mike Cron, was toughened up with more than 180 senior games for Christchurch club Sydenham but never made it into the Canterbury or Crusaders line-up during his time playing.

He joined Robertson in 2013 and helped him win three NPC titles in four seasons and six consecutive Super Rugby titles.

The All Blacks have put a weight of a nation on his shoulders and while Foster still carries the can, the message sent out by New Zealand rugby is both unfair and harsh on Plumtree and Moar, both of whom have proved themselves over and over at other levels.

Ryan now has a two day camp in Wellington with the All Blacks and then a week’s preparation with the team in South Africa to get them to front up and stop the rolling maul.

That he has experience and is a good coach is not under question. Neither is the fact that the All Blacks are desperate and will do everything in their power to try and stop the Springbok juggernaut from getting on the front foot.

But it also underlines the need for the Springboks to be a lot more wholistic in their approach against a team that can score from anywhere.

While many are revelling in the All Blacks demise and the lack of their forwards in standing up to Ireland, the Boks won’t be taking them so lightly. History has shown the margins are small between the two sides and while Foster may be under immense pressure, desperation will see them lift their game for the Bok games.

Ryan’s inclusion has been a signal that the All Blacks are coming for the Bok rolling maul and are preparing for a physical onslaught they haven’t seen for a while.

It’s up to the Boks now to meet that challenge and be a lot sharper than they were in the Wales series.