I have to say Mallet and mitchell are a great commentator team.
Ex SA Rugby Mag
The Springboks must build a lead against the All Blacks at Ellis Park before worrying about the bonus point, writes former All Blacks, Lions and Force coach JOHN MITCHELL.
Are you looking forward to the Ellis Park Test?
It was 2004 when the Springboks last met the All Blacks there. On that occasion, Graham Henry's team lost 40-26 in what was his first season as All Blacks coach. Nine years is a ridiculous amount of time for these rivals to spend away from Ellis Park, but we do live in a commercial world.
Now they are back. So what has changed since 2004?
Well, the All Blacks have every cup in the cupboard and are sustaining their performances while regenerating a side that has 11 survivors from the 2011 World Cup.
They have produced very good second-half performances in this year's Castle Rugby Championship by lifting the tempo and building enormous pressure with ball in hand, which is extremely effective against a passive, sliding and conceding defence. (I am sure this group's decision-making is enhanced by 3D learning, but what would I know.)
On the other hand we have a Springbok side that is growing with each Test outing. Will they be fired-up for revenge after Eden Park (where Bismarck du Plessis was unfairly red-carded early in the second half) or are they a humble side under the leadership of coach Heyneke Meyer that stays calm under the captaincy of Jean de Villiers?
I have watched a lot of rugby, as well as selected and coached a lot of teams, and I have a very good feeling about where this Springbok team is heading (John you are clearly a Beeno disciple - no doubt you read my seminal piece about the writing on the wall- a certainty with only the exact timing being in question). But there is still a lot of growth that can take place, especially in terms of Jannie du Plessis's defence, the middle lock throw-jump, the second-half scrum performance, the need for Morné Steyn to play flatter on attack and pose a threat to the defence, the team's discipline, and Willie le Roux's ability to cope with the ball being kicked behind him.
The Boks will not be intimidated by the All Blacks on Saturday and their pressure, presence, and confidence is a potent mix. They only have one hurdle, which is gaining the belief that they can beat the All Blacks, and on a regular basis (Its there they would be silly not to realise they are the better side given a fair ref!).
A year ago I said that the Boks looked up to and respected the All Blacks too much (Nope its just the honourable way the Boks always behave). Now you can see and feel that their belief is on the rise and whatever adversity they have experienced as a group will be used as a strength in their next contest. Seriously, you do not want to pick a fight with this mob! They really care about each other, so well done Heyneke on leading and guiding your team towards realising their goals.(please note ou maaikie and snapster)
The All Blacks are going to face a hectic start by the Boks at Ellis Park and pressure that many of their players would never have experienced before. This is not just another Test match. This is everything about who is going to make a statement to the rest of the rugby world.
How should the Boks approach the game, considering they need to score four tries, and deny the All Blacks a bonus point, to take the title?
Their start will determine whether they can create a four-try opportunity. This will come either through scoring points and building a lead, or forcing the All Blacks to make a lot of tackles that will affect their legs later and force them into making mistakes, which will result in points for the Boks.
The Boks must look to win the game first and build the scoreboard by taking all the points on offer. That will put pressure on the All Blacks. The Boks also need to ensure that all 15 players stay on the field and must not get frustrated when they are put under pressure by the All Blacks.
The Boks must be prepared to work for the four-try win as it's not going to come easy. They must enjoy defending and being without the ball for long periods. They must get just as excited when they are without the ball and be eager to win the next contest. They must enjoy winning the arm-wrestle.
If the Boks can get to three tries, I think they will be relentless in search of a fourth.
There are several aspects of the game that the Boks need to dominate if they are to win:
– Bismarck du Plessis's battle against Dane Coles at hooker.
– Beast Mtawarira's battle against Owen Franks at prop.
– The big Bok loose forwards' battle against Liam Messam, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.
– The first-half scrum.
– The lineout driving maul.
– The exit-zone lineout delivery.
– The lineout defence.
– Fourie du Preez's battle against Aaron Smith.
– Morné Steyn's goal-kicking battle with Aaron Cruden.
– The defence breakdown decisions and beating the All Blacks to the space past the ball.
Some final thoughts:
– While the Boks will want to score four tries to win the Rugby Championship title, in my view winning the game and damaging the All Blacks' belief is more important than silverware.
– The Springboks' start is going to be fast and aggressive. Can the All Blacks absorb this pressure, build their performance and lift the tempo and intensity?
– Will altitude, the intimacy of the ground and the fact that it is the spiritual home of South African rugby put more pressure on the All Blacks and increase their error rate if they get fatigued?
– When will All Blacks coach Steve Hansen release his bench to counter the effects of fatigue, and help lift the tempo and intensity? Or will Heyneke Meyer's bench players counter this with their own exceptional talent and energy?
– I almost forgot about the referee! Who is he?* Who are the assistant referees? Who is the TMO? They will have a bearing on this match. No one really won the last match at Eden Park, so let's hope this game does not suffer the same fate (Moral victory for Boks - no question about it). Every stakeholder lost out in Auckland, which was a shame. Now we really have something special to witness. Bring it on and please let 15 vs 15 confirm where each side is really at in terms of their growth.
My question mark revolves around not having Deon Fourie on the bench. He would be brilliant. Its a pity re Flip but Juandre adds pace around the park and is a good lineout guy.
Boks must also pace themselves for 80 minutes.
Go Bokke -I ts time to regain our traditional number 1 spot and relegate the abs to their traditional number 2 spot.For too long have these pretenders manipulated the game.
