The All Blacks must adopt a fearless approach and have a crack against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday, according to veteran outside back Jordie Barrett, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Speaking in the build-up to the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, Barrett believes taking an uncluttered mindset into the match at FNB Stadium, while emphasising beating the world champions requires execution in rare scoring moments.
“If you look at the parts of the game from the past two Test matches, the good moments we’ve had is the stuff we pride ourselves on,” he told reporters in Newlands, as Dave Rennie’s charges reset after last week’s 33-26 defeat at Cape Town Stadium.
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“Those good moments have come from us being mentally free, brave, using the ball, defensively coming forward, meeting the collision – just that fearless approach that we’re going to need against the best side in the world.”
The Boks levelled the series and reclaimed the world No 1 ranking with victory against the Kiwis, the hosts scoring three tries in a high-tempo opening 40 minutes for a 24-14 lead at the break, before holding out at the death.
“They were a lot better at that area this past Test match,” Barrett added. “They converted a lot more points when they got into our 22, where they were a bit off in the first Test.
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“You’ve got one crack and you don’t get a whole lot of moments to ice games at this level. So we’re going to have to make sure we’re right on the money.”
The 29-year-old acknowledged the deciding stakes going into the must-win clash at the Calabash, with the Baltimore final leg to come next week.
“If you don’t win this game, you can’t win the series. So what an exciting challenge for us,” he said. “It’s a game of chess, really. We beat the Boks week one and they changed a few things, and we tried to change a few things.
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“It’s about trying to implement the best plan possible to try and get a result on Saturday, and they’ll be doing the same.”
On taking inspiration from ‘the Incomparables’, who won the last New Zealand tour to the Republic in 1996, Barrett added: “We’re going to try and use that to motivate, galvanise and excite us, and get us to a stage where we’re nice and fearless and try and enjoy the moment on Saturday night.”
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post Brave Barrett excited to ‘ice the world’s best’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The All Blacks must adopt a fearless approach and have a crack against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday, according to veteran outside back Jordie Barrett.
The post Brave Barrett excited to ‘ice the world’s best’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
