Quinn Tupaea, the centre for the All Blacks, remains optimistic that his team can reclaim victory in the upcoming third Test against the Springboks. Despite a tough loss of 33-26 to the Boks in Cape Town, where early setbacks nearly cost them the game, the All Blacks showed resilience by narrowing the gap and nearly drawing as the match closed.
Tupaea shared insights into their preparations, aimed specifically at countering the aggressive play of the Springboks.
"We always knew Springboks would get momentum, so we practised on how to get that back,"
He acknowledged the pressure put on his team, both on the field and the scoreboard, lamenting that they fell too far behind early on, though he praised the team's spirited comeback effort.
The defeat hasn't dampened the team's spirits, with Tupaea affirming the squad's confidence ahead of their next showdown at the massive FNB Stadium in Soweto. He expressed firm belief in their strategy and team dynamic.
"Oh, we’re right there. Got a lot of belief in our game, love the way our coaches have set us up and the squad we have, so still got belief,"
In their reflection on the game's challenges, handling the Springboks' kicking game emerged as a crucial area for improvement. Tupaea admitted the team struggled with this aspect, which had been a strong point in previous weeks.
"They caused a lot of problems there,"
Ardie Savea also chimed in, admitting the team felt the pressure, but ensuring they were focused on addressing these issues moving forward.
With these reflections and strategies laid out, the All Blacks are gearing up for a robust return where they aim to not only correct their mistakes but also to leverage their strengths in a high-stakes rematch. This third Test is shaping up to be more than just a game; it's a chance for the All Blacks to reclaim their pride and possibly turn the tide in this gripping rugby rivalry.
