Luke Jacobson, a formidable flanker for the All Blacks, anticipates a significant ramp-up in their performance against the Sharks this coming Tuesday. This follows some introspective moments after their recent clash with the Stormers, where they emerged victorious with a score of 38-21 despite being tested rigorously in areas like scrum engagement and overall discipline.
Jacobson, who is now the second All Black captain on this tour after Patrick Tuipulotu, reflected on the lessons from their previous game.
"There are a few tidy ups from the Stormers game that we're looking to impose," he said. "It's an awesome challenge and opportunity for us to really dial in on maybe some things that didn't go as well for us in the last game."
The Stormers match also saw the All Blacks conceding several scrum penalties and receiving three yellow cards, spotlighting areas for improvement. The upcoming game against the Sharks, known for their strong kicking and chasing game, will be another test of their capabilities.
"The top level of South African rugby has a really good kicking game, a really good chasing game. I don't think we're going to get anything different to what we saw last week in that area," Jacobson commented.
Despite a forecast of rain for the game day, Jacobson remains confident in the team’s ability to maintain their aggressive play. Stressing the importance of individual skills and self-belief, he said, "It’s just a huge onus on the individual skill set and backing yourself. We’re professional athletes; this is what we’re trained for. We back ourselves to be able to perform under any conditions."
After their face-off with the Sharks, the All Blacks' schedule doesn't let up, as they are set to travel to Pretoria for a Saturday game against the Vodacom Bulls. Jacobson finds the relentless schedule exhilarating.
"It’s something completely different that none of us have ever done before but I think that’s the cool thing about it. It’s continuous," he added. "There’s no time to stop, sit back and think."
The relentless rhythm of this tour reflects not just the physical but also the mental resilience required at the highest levels of rugby. The All Blacks are showing that they're not just participating in these matches; they're adapting and evolving with each game.
