Victor Matfield, a titan in the rugby world, recently voiced his thoughts on the current state of the All Blacks, suggesting that the once-feared New Zealand backline no longer instills the same level of apprehension among its adversaries. This commentary comes as the Springboks gear up to face the All Blacks in the much-awaited rounds three and four of the Rugby Championship at both Eden Park and Sky Stadium.
Despite the All Blacks' impressive undefeated streak of 50 games at Eden Park, they haven't faced the Boks on this turf since 2013. The anticipation is building, especially with New Zealand's recent squad announcement by Scott Robertson for the initial two rounds of the Championship, which sees the team heading to Argentina for matches against Los Pumas.
In a discussion on the Rivals podcast, alongside All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan, Matfield was queried about New Zealand's capability to overturn their losing streak against South Africa.
"I think it’s a good team. I do like what they are doing in their tight five,"
Matfield responded, praising the blend of experience and promising young talent within the New Zealand pack.However, Matfield expressed reservations about the backline's threat level.
"In the backline, I still feel it’s not the All Blacks of old, where you look at the backline and you think ‘How are we going to keep them under control?'"
he noted, emphasizing that the current lineup lacks the intimidating edge historically associated with All Black backs.Kirwan echoed these sentiments, pointing out that modern defenses have adapted, making the game more combative and reducing the space for backline maneuvers. He highlighted the shift towards larger, heavier-bodied players in the midfield which compresses the play, though he still values sheer pace, a quality the Boks possess abundantly.
While discussing the key performers, Matfield acknowledged the significant impact of players like Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett. "Last year, whenever Will Jordan was at 15, they also looked completely different. He makes a huge difference when he’s at 15 rather than on the wing," Matfield observed, indicating that while the backline may be solid, it no longer poses the bewildering challenge it once did.
The upcoming matches will not only test the All Blacks' resolve but also offer a chance to redefine their backline's reputation against a formidable South African team, eager to extend their winning streak.