Sonny Bill Williams has called on his All Blacks teammates to get their heads right ahead of another physical battle against the Springboks. JON CARDINELLI reports.
Allister Coetzee came in for plenty of criticism in the wake of the Test in Albany. The Bok coach stated that there were positives to be taken from that performance, even though the visitors conceded eight tries and lost 57-0.
On Thursday, opposite number Steve Hansen said that the Boks’ physicality and execution was wanting in that fixture at North Harbour Stadium. Hansen said that the All Blacks are expecting a sharper and more aggressive showing by the Boks in the clash at Newlands on Saturday.
The All Blacks have vowed to maintain their levels of intensity. They won the Rugby Championship title last week. Yet they feel they have something to gain by beating their old rivals in the final game of the tournament.
In fact, many of the All Blacks players are relishing the prospect of engaging with the Boks in another bruising contest.
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‘We’ve got a big job on our hands in trying to nullify them,’ said Williams on Thursday. ‘We’ve got to get up into their faces and we have to match them physically if we’re going to come out on top.
‘It doesn’t matter if this is a dead rubber or not,’ Williams continued. ‘There’s pressure to perform whenever you put on that All Blacks jersey, and New Zealand is a proud rugby nation. We want to win no matter what.
‘We know the Boks are hurting [after the 57-0 loss in Albany] and we know that they will be out to make a statement. So if we don’t go into this game with the right attitude it could be a really tough day for us.’
Liam Squire and four other players were not considered for the recent tour to Argentina. The quintet stayed behind in New Zealand to train before travelling to South Africa last Friday.
Squire said that this group was feeling ‘mentally refreshed’ after the short break. Squire and company are keen to make an impact against the Boks at Newlands.
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‘We’ve taken a lot out of that break,’ the All Blacks blindside said. ‘We’re not expecting the Boks to vary their approach too much this Saturday. Their game revolves around the physical aspect, so we know that we will have to be at the top of our game.’
Hansen is also expecting a physical backlash.
‘They will be more physical and more accurate,’ the All Blacks coach said. ‘That was the issue for them [in Albany]. Their execution was at fault.
‘The Boks played us after travelling to Argentina and Perth. That’s pretty demanding. They should be more comfortable this week.
‘They’re coming off a game on the highveld [against the Wallabies in Bloemfontein] and their mindset will be as good as it ever will be. That 57-0 result hurt them and that will make them dangerous at Newlands.’
