Victor Matfield, the towering ex-Springbok, recently dropped a bombshell on the Rivals podcast, claiming the once-feared All Blacks backline has turned into the kind of crew that wouldn't spook a mildly concerned sheep. With the 2025 Rugby Championship looming, it seems the New Zealand squad might be invoking more yawns than yikes, particularly when they face off against the sprightly Springboks.
The All Blacks have roped in Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker and he's fresh to the squad, bringing some new blood alongside three other newcomers waiting in the wings due to injuries. Big names like Tyrel Lomax and Caleb Clarke are on the injury bench, surely a headache for Coach Scott Robertson as his team preps for back-to-back brawls with the world champs in their own backyard.
While Matfield tips his hat to the All Blacks' forwards, it's the backline that he believes lacks its old sparkle.
"In the past, you'd look at their backs and think, ‘How are we going to keep them under control?’ Now it’s pretty much the same faces we’ve seen for a few years. It’s still a good backline, but it doesn’t scare you like it used to."
However, he does nod to fullback Will Jordan as a game-changer, noting, "If Will Jordan is at 15, they look different. He has such a big influence from fullback and changes the whole dynamic."Matfield also threw in his two cents about the evolving role of the inside centre, pointing out the necessity for a player who can smash through the defense rather than a fancy playmaker. Looking over to the Springboks, he's clearly jazzed about the speed they bring to the table, especially out wide, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown at Eden Park.
Former All Black wing John Kirwan chimed in with his concerns about facing the Boks, specifically their quicksilver wingers. "The thing that probably concerns me the most about the South Africans is the pace they’ve got out wide. I love pace, and they’ve got genuine speed there." Kirwan also praised the inclusion of Leroy Carter in the squad, hinting at the strategic shift towards unleashing faster players to turn the game on its head.
As the Rugby Championship draws near, all eyes will be on how these titanic teams clash, particularly when the All Blacks try to reclaim their fear factor against a zippy South African side.