Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls can’t read too much into the All Blacks’ opening results of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, yet thinks he’s decoded their strategy.
Dave Rennie’s men beat the Sharks 54-0 at a wet and rainy Kings Park on Tuesday night, after kicking off their seven-match South African tour last week with a 38-21 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
It’s another swift turnaround for New Zealand, with a clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, and Ackermann is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits his troops.
However, the Bulls boss believes they can exploit the Kiwis’ pressure points, even as Rennie fine-tunes their combinations ahead of the first Test against the Springboks next Saturday.
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“You can bother the All Blacks with pressure. But, saying that, they’re still finding [their combinations]. Dave Rennie is going to see who else can push for a jersey,” he said.
“Maybe they’re a bit individualistic at the moment when they’re fighting for those spots. We’re going to have to take that into account.
“It is a change of environment, travelling, guys getting used to playing in SA. In a sense, we don’t want to read too much into that Stormers game – they’re just going to get better.”
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Ackermann noted the Stormers’ late fade against the All Blacks, and warned his players to stay sharp for the full 80 minutes.
“We could see it with the Stormers. They were all the way in the fight and then there were one or two moments where maybe the fatigue kicked in and cost them,” he said.
“I said to the players, if we can tick the boxes, we’re all happy. If it is 80 minutes, great. If it is 50 minutes where we really do what we’re trying to implement, that’s great.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge. The privilege and the occasion are massive, but hopefully the important thing after the 80 minutes is that we’ve got no injuries.”
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On matching the All Blacks’ tempo, Ackermann stressed the need to force their own game plan while keeping up with the visitors.
“We’re going to try and force our stuff and they’re going to try and force theirs. They try to keep the ball in play and play at a fast pace, and we have to match that.
“I think that’s the secret. I don’t think they’re going to change that even though they’re at altitude, because the first Test is at altitude.”
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post Stormers’ loss the ‘secret’ to beating All Blacks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls can’t read too much into the All Blacks’ opening results of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, yet thinks he’s decoded their strategy.
The post Stormers’ loss the ‘secret’ to beating All Blacks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
