Weber, reflecting on the series, emphasized the broader benefits for the team, beyond immediate results. "Don’t you think this tour has been so beneficial to us? This has been so much more beneficial to us than it has been to the Springboks," he remarked during an interview with The Breakdown.
"We’ve got to blood so many new players, against the URC teams and then a few guys through this Test match period as well."
Dave Rennie, who stepped into his role as head coach in July following the departure of Scott Robertson, has seen his team evolve under his guidance. The integration of newcomers during this tour has been significant, marking a pivotal phase in team development.
Weber also shared insights on the strategic formation of team dynamics, "What we can do is to build these combinations over this tour, though the Bledisloe Tests and through the Nations Championship at the end of the year, that’s where we start building these combinations," he added.
The journey of team building is contrasted with the South Africans' current robust setup, honed under the stewardship of Rassie Erasmus over the last eight years. "If anything, the South Africans have done what we did back [in 2011 and 2015]. That’s what the South Africans have built. It took a long time and it’s going to take us time to get back to that level, but what we have to do is keep at it, trust Dave Rennie and trust the group he’s going to build around him," Weber noted.
Meanwhile, Mils Muliaina, a veteran of the New Zealand squad, expressed confidence in the burgeoning capabilities of the younger players. Despite the experience gap highlighted by the Springboks having 355 more caps in their recent encounter, Muliaina sees potential for significant growth.
"You’re not unsure, you know when you look into the guy’s eyes, you know that he’s on the same page, but that’s got to be built over time," he stated.
The process of recovery and progression is a theme echoed by Muliaina, who anticipates leadership emerging from the newer ranks. "We’ve now lost our leader but who steps up? Who’s going to be the next person that steps up? That’s the stuff I’m looking forward to," he mused optimistically about the future.
As the All Blacks look toward their final battle in the United States, the series has not only tested their resilience but also fostered a deeper bench strength. "When I look at the opportunities [we’re creating], we’re not far away and that excites me, whereas South Africa are comfortable, they know what they can do, they know how to win that momentum back, even when they’re down by 12 points," Muliaina concluded, hinting at a promising horizon for the team as they continue to forge a path toward regaining their former glory.
With a determined spirit and a focus on nurturing their upcoming talent, the All Blacks are poised to evolve through these trials, potentially leading to triumphs in future global competitions.
