New Zealand-based journalist Gregor Paul suggests a fit-again Tyrel Lomax could be key to the All Blacks nullifying the Springboks’ set-piece power at Ellis Park on Saturday.
This weekend is the first of four Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, and Paul believes the opening contest is likely to be shaped by South Africa’s preference for pressure through scrums, mauls, kicking and territorial control.
Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Paul argues that the Boks’ power-based approach is particularly difficult to contain, placing significant responsibility on Lomax.
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He traces the 30-year-old’s emergence to the 2022 South African tour, when an injury opened the door for him to make a decisive impact.
After an injury-disrupted 18 months, Australia-born Lomax returned against the Vodacom Bulls last week and impressed across 60 minutes, giving the Kiwis confidence that they possess the front-row strength required for the battle awaiting them in Joburg.
“This match – in fact, the whole series – is set for him to prove once again that he’s not only New Zealand’s best tighthead, but maybe even the best in the world,” Paul writes.
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“At his best, he’s immovable and often destructive and for all the talk of the Springboks power in the scrum, they have never been able to get any return out of Lomax no matter how hard they have tried.
“The Springboks are going to want a scrummaging war, but the All Blacks have the weaponry they need to fight it.”
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The post The All Blacks’ weapon for Bok scrum war appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
New Zealand-based journalist Gregor Paul suggests a fit-again Tyrel Lomax could be key to the All Blacks nullifying the Springboks’ set-piece power at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The post The All Blacks’ weapon for Bok scrum war appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
