Jordie Barrett recently emphasized the need for improved performance in aerial battles and increased physicality against a tough South African team. The two rugby giants, New Zealand and South Africa, are set to clash anew at FNB Stadium this Saturday in what is the third test of the "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series, with the scoreline currently tied at one apiece.
The All Blacks showcased their offensive firepower with a robust five-tries-to-one win at Ellis Park two weeks ago. However, the reigning world champions struck back with a victory in Cape Town employing their signature, robust style of play, combining raw power with strategic aerial kicks.
Barrett expressed his observations from the recent matchups, particularly noting the opposition's upfront intensity.
"We didn’t start as well as we wanted to, particularly defensively, and we were chasing for the first half-an-hour of that game,"he said. He further highlighted the struggles in retrieving balls from kick-offs and the importance of winning more loose ball contests early on.
The veteran center continued by stating the disciplined approach required to counter the Springboks' strategy.
"The blueprint that got them [Boks] a victory at the weekend was their power game,"Barrett commented. He pointed out the need for the All Blacks to secure aerial battles and restrict the Springboks' forward momentum to hinder their power plays.
Barrett also voiced criticisms concerning the rules governing aerial play, observing that the existing regulations offer little aid to the receiving team. "If you just look at the last Test, we kicked very little contestables. The ones we did kick, we did win back. They kicked quite a lot, and they’re often a lot shorter," he explained.
He described the chaotic nature of aerial contests under current laws, adding, "It turns into a bit of a lottery." Despite the challenges, Barrett revealed the team is actively refining their tactics to improve outcomes in these scenarios. "We’ve got plans and ways around that in terms of trying to win as many of those as possible. We’ve practised it a lot. Trust me, it’s a lot harder than it probably looks on the telly," he stated.
Barrett concluded on an optimistic note, expressing hope for better performance in the upcoming test. "Hopefully we can win a few more on Saturday, because that’s what’s coming," he affirmed, prepared for another intense showdown in one of rugby's fiercest rivalries.
