South African journalist Craig Ray argues the All Blacks want teams to play their high-tempo style, yet the world champion Springboks have shown they don’t need to.
The first of four Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series kicks off at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Dave Rennie’s men riding high after wins over the Stormers, Sharks and Vodacom Bulls, the latest a 50-19 rout in Pretoria last week.
Writing for the Daily Maverick, Ray comments on Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber’s early recognition that matching the Kiwis’ skill level was unrealistic, prompting a shift toward tactical kicking, set-piece dominance and defensive pressure instead.
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He notes this approach has delivered eight wins from 15 meetings against New Zealand since 2018, alongside a broader record of 31 wins from their last 34 Tests.
Ray is critical of All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga’s recent comments urging teams to “speed the game up”, arguing this reflects a belief that New Zealand’s style is the only legitimate one, despite South Africa’s sustained success playing differently.
He also pushes back on suggestions from Umaga and former winger John Kirwan that referees are unfairly targeting the All Blacks, arguing these views overlook how effectively the Boks and other sides have adapted to how the game is officiated.
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“There is a suggestion from the All Blacks coaching staff that they are the ‘saviours’ of rugby, that theirs is the only style worth pursuing and that fans, administrators and most importantly, referees, should take the same view,” Ray writes.
“There is nothing the All Blacks would like more than for rugby to be played like it was in 2015 when they ruled the world with superior skills and superior conditioning.
“[The Boks] had to find another way to beat New Zealand. Going toe-to-toe in a running battle with the All Blacks was never going to cut it.
“So it’s no surprise then that the narrative coming from the All Blacks camp since they arrived in South Africa nearly two weeks ago for the Greatest Rivalry tour has been to paint themselves as the saviours of rugby.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post ‘Saviours of rugby’ All Blacks slammed appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
South African journalist Craig Ray argues the All Blacks want teams to play their high-tempo style, yet the world champion Springboks have shown they don’t need to.
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