Former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson believes Dave Rennie is already fine-tuning a tactical weapon designed specifically to take on the Springboks.
New Zealand will tour South Africa after the Nations Championship matches in July, facing all four Vodacom URC clubs before a four-Test series against the world champions, with three matches in South Africa and a fourth in Baltimore.
One of the biggest talking points from Rennie’s opening two Tests has been the make-up of his loose trio.
Ardie Savea has started at No 8 in both matches, with Luke Jacobson at openside flank flank. Peter Lakai started at blindside flank against France before Wallace Sititi took over against Italy.
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But it was a late switch against the Azzurri that caught the eye.
Lock Tupou Vaa’i packed down at blindside flank after Josh Lord replaced Savea, giving New Zealand extra size in the back row.
Rennie later revealed the coaches had even considered starting Vaa’i there against France before injury ruled him out.
Wilson believes Rennie is starting to form a blueprint which he plans to unleash on the Springboks.
“I think it’s just a specific tactic to take on South Africa and I like it,” he said. “More size, for me it’s a straight-out bigger body.
“Now there are areas of the game where you lose something that a Peter Lakai or Wallace Sititi or Luke Jacobson gives you, and there’ll be some very, very good players who miss out.
“It also changes the make-up of how we look at our bench.”
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Wilson also wants Rennie to revisit the six-two bench split, a tactic New Zealand last used against the Springboks at Twickenham before the 2023 World Cup.
“We’ve also got to explore the 6-2 bench at some point as well,” he said.
“But for me, I like the idea. I want to see it.
“He got a taste of it, and we saw some really nice signs. So I wouldn’t be surprised if we see it.”
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
The post Goldie: All Blacks trialling Bok plan appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson believes Dave Rennie is already fine-tuning a tactical weapon designed specifically to take on the Springboks.
The post Goldie: All Blacks trialling Bok plan appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
