Bernard Foley, the former Wallaby, has pinpointed a potential weakness in the All Blacks' set-piece defense, gleaned from their recent matches in South Africa against the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls. These encounters, part of their tour in the 'Greatest Rivalry' series, have prepared them for the upcoming Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg. Despite their victories, vulnerabilities have emerged that the Springboks' coach Rassie Erasmus might capitalize on.
Foley's observations come from a reflective stance on New Zealand's gameplay, particularly in their robust win against the Bulls. He noted the All Blacks' strength in quick ball recycling and counterattacks but flagged concerns regarding their defensive setup during set-pieces.
“Will they try and do that against the best blitz defense in possibly the history of the game…”
Morgan Turinui, another esteemed former Wallaby, also commented on the All Blacks' tactical approach. He pointed out their repeated 'out the back' strategy during the warm-up games, questioning whether this method will stand up to the South African team's intense blitz defense.
Furthermore, the conversation delved into the crucial role of refereeing in the upcoming Test series. The series is set to be officiated by a quartet of referees from different countries, with each Test posing unique challenges due to the different styles of officiating.
“Matthew Carley has the first one. Even this Bulls-All Blacks game, it was 25 50/50 ruck penalties. Nika Amashukeli had that game.”
Turinui expressed his intrigue and concern over how the breakdowns will be managed by the referees, highlighting its potential impact on the tightly contested matches. The refereeing could indeed be 'absolutely huge' as the teams are very closely matched in skills and strategy.
Show presenter Shaun Maloney stirred the pot by questioning the referee selection for the series. He couldn't fathom why Luke Pearce, regarded as one of the best at facilitating fast-paced games, wasn't appointed for any of the Tests, especially given the significance of the series.
As the series prediction came into play, Turinui leaned towards an optimistic outlook for New Zealand, albeit acknowledging the high competitiveness expected at Ellis Park. He suggested, based on the historical context and the teams' current forms, that New Zealand could likely clinch the series with a score of 3-1, even though the Springboks might edge out an initial victory.
As the series approaches, the focus is intensely set on strategic exploitations and adaptations both teams will employ. With the All Blacks showing slight cracks in their armor and the Springboks ready to defend their turf vehemently, the stage is set for a thrilling rugby showdown.
