Assistant coach Mike Blair says the All Blacks aren’t wasting energy analysing Springbok line-ups that may change and instead prepare for South Africa’s ethos, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Rassie Erasmus named the Bok 23 for Saturday’s third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in Joburg on Monday. Cheslin Kolbe shifts to fullback for the injured Damian Willemse and the front row reverts to the combination Erasmus reshuffled on the eve of last week’s series-levelling 33-26 win in Cape Town.
“You take notice of it, but you take it with a pinch of salt as well,” Blair said at an All Blacks press conference in Newlands on Monday.
“Listening to what he said after the second Test about how he changed the team around depending on the weather, it shows that they’ve got the capability of doing that.
ALSO: All Blacks slammed over ‘aimless’ kicking
“[Early team announcements] gives us an idea of what they might be thinking, but we’re not going to spend huge amounts of time planning for a certain individual in a certain position when we’re pretty aware that that can change right up until kick-off.
“We understand the South African DNA in terms of their game, how they defend. A lot of the individuals coming to that will fit within that system, so we prepare for the team’s ethos as opposed to the individuals.”
He also addressed the significance of the third Test and playing in front of a sold-out FNB Stadium.
MORE: Rassie fires back at Rennie
“You could argue the series would be won on whoever wins this game, because those are the three games in South Africa. We’re seeing it like that, as being a really important game for us,” the Scot added.
“If you win this one, then you’re not losing the series, so it certainly puts you in the driving seat.
“We heard 84,000 tickets have been sold already. That’s awesome for our guys. We love that. We love playing in front of a big crowd, showing everyone what we can do and expressing ourselves.”
ICYMI: ‘Rassie the Lex Luthor of rugby’
Blair noted the Kiwis had already moved past Saturday’s defeat. “There’s a real solution-based mindset.
“Guys were down about the result, but you can’t afford to be down for too long. We know we’ve got this Test match and another Test match afterwards, so you can’t wallow for too long,” he added.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Blair takes Bok team with a ‘pinch of salt’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Assistant coach Mike Blair says the All Blacks aren’t wasting energy analysing Springbok line-ups that may change and instead prepare for South Africa’s ethos.
The post Blair takes Bok team with a ‘pinch of salt’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
