Plumtree highlighted the intense set-piece battles that have seen the Springboks earn multiple scrum penalties and a decisive penalty try over the first three Tests. He pinpointed the scrum as an area of concern for New Zealand's coaching staff.
"The scrum… I said four weeks ago that the most important people on this tour for the All Blacks are the forwards coaches," Plumtree remarked.
In reflecting on the South African dominance, Plumtree discussed the physical challenges New Zealand faced in previous games, emphasizing the need for improvement.
"Those are the two areas where we pretty much got bullied by the Springboks," he admitted.
Neil Barnes, an assistant coach for the All Blacks, also weighed in on the issue, suggesting a humble acknowledgment of the team's current shortcomings.
"[All Blacks assistant coach] Neil Barnes came out afterwards and said we’ve got to eat humble pie, move on and find a way to be better, and he’s exactly right," said Plumtree.
Plumtree also critiqued the cultural approach to scrums within New Zealand's rugby framework, pointing out a stark contrast in strategies between the All Blacks and their South African counterparts.
"You look at Super Rugby: the scrum is a starter play," he explained. "You win your own ball, but you don’t keep it at the back by the No 8’s feet and look for a penalty. It’s not really in the DNA."
Highlighting the depth of talent within the South African squad, Plumtree talked about reserve players who possess considerable skill, yet haven’t made it onto the field.
He specifically mentioned Carlü Sadie, a formidable prop with size and skill comparable to Wilco Louw, suggesting his caliber is such that he would easily fit into the All Blacks starting lineup.
"We don’t have the Wilco Louw-type size props. You think about a tighthead prop who wasn’t even used in those Test matches, and that’s Carlü Sadie. He’s a Wilco Louw clone, isn’t he? And he’s not even out there. He would be starting for the All Blacks," Plumtree stated, underscoring the depth at the Springboks' disposal.
The conversation on the TMO podcast shone a light on the critical tactical elements and cultural differences that have defined the ongoing rugby series, setting the stage for an intense conclusive battle in Baltimore.
