After a tough loss to Argentina, the All Blacks are under the microscope, and legendary Springboks lock Victor Matfield has pinpointed exactly where New Zealand is faltering. On his podcast "Rivals," Matfield, alongside former All Blacks winger John Kirwan, dissected the All Blacks' vulnerabilities and laid out a strategy for South Africa to triumph in the upcoming clash at Eden Park.
Matfield was candid about New Zealand's weaknesses, stating, "If there is one area New Zealand needs to sort out, it is the high ball." He emphasized the importance of aerial skills in modern rugby, noting how crucial they are to gaining momentum and energy in a match. The All Blacks' recent struggles in this area were evident as they faltered against the Pumas, losing crucial battles for loose balls which ultimately fueled Argentina's drive and destabilized the New Zealand team.
The pressure isn't just on the All Blacks. Matfield touched on the intense scrutiny back home in South Africa after their initial loss to Australia, saying, "Last week we didn’t breathe in South Africa... It was almost as if we lost another game all of a sudden it was, ‘This squad is too old. It’s done. We need to change. But the response against the Wallabies in Cape Town showed a resilient side ready to adapt and overcome."
"But going to New Zealand, the way to beat them is playing South African rugby the way we played last weekend, don’t give them anything, just smother them in their own half, kick those high balls in there, don’t give them space, use your set-piece."
Matfield also criticized the trend of pulling key players during critical moments of the game. Reflecting on the closing stages of matches, he expressed frustration with decisions to substitute pivotal players when the game's pressure peaks. "When those tough times were coming, I didn’t want to go off the field. I wanted to be on the field, to be in that moment to have the opportunity to make the big play. Those are the players you want on the field," Matfield argued, highlighting a disconnect between modern rotational strategies and the gritty realities of closing out tight matches.
The discussion also turned to the resilience of the All Blacks, with Kirwan suggesting that despite the loss, New Zealand wouldn't rush to change their lineup. He noted the psychological strength of key players like Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett, stressing the importance of their presence in critical game phases despite recent setbacks.
As the Rugby Championship progresses, all eyes will be on how these rugby powerhouses adjust and respond to their recent performances, setting the stage for a fierce contest in Auckland.
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After a tough loss to Argentina, the All Blacks are under the microscope, and legendary Springboks lock Victor Matfield has pinpointed exactly where New Zealand is faltering. On his podcast "Rivals," Matfield, alongside former All Blacks winger John Kirwan, dissected the All Blacks' vulnerabilities and laid out a strategy for South Africa to triumph in the upcoming clash at Eden Park.
Matfield was candid about New Zealand's weaknesses, stating, "If there is one area New Zealand needs to sort out, it is the high ball." He emphasized the importance of aerial skills in modern rugby, noting how crucial they are to gaining momentum and energy in a match. The All Blacks' recent struggles in this area were evident as they faltered against the Pumas, losing crucial battles for loose balls which ultimately fueled Argentina's drive and destabilized the New Zealand team.
The pressure isn't just on the All Blacks. Matfield touched on the intense scrutiny back home in South Africa after their initial loss to Australia, saying, "Last week we didn’t breathe in South Africa... It was almost as if we lost another game all of a sudden it was, ‘This squad is too old. It’s done. We need to change. But the response against the Wallabies in Cape Town showed a resilient side ready to adapt and overcome."
"But going to New Zealand, the way to beat them is playing South African rugby the way we played last weekend, don’t give them anything, just smother them in their own half, kick those high balls in there, don’t give them space, use your set-piece."
Matfield also criticized the trend of pulling key players during critical moments of the game. Reflecting on the closing stages of matches, he expressed frustration with decisions to substitute pivotal players when the game's pressure peaks. "When those tough times were coming, I didn’t want to go off the field. I wanted to be on the field, to be in that moment to have the opportunity to make the big play. Those are the players you want on the field," Matfield argued, highlighting a disconnect between modern rotational strategies and the gritty realities of closing out tight matches.
The discussion also turned to the resilience of the All Blacks, with Kirwan suggesting that despite the loss, New Zealand wouldn't rush to change their lineup. He noted the psychological strength of key players like Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett, stressing the importance of their presence in critical game phases despite recent setbacks.
As the Rugby Championship progresses, all eyes will be on how these rugby powerhouses adjust and respond to their recent performances, setting the stage for a fierce contest in Auckland.