Bokwatch Day 1: Springboks v All Blacks

The Springboks take on New Zealand in the opening game of the 2008 Tri Nations competition in Wellington on Saturday 5 July. Let’s hear what the head coaches are saying.

Graham Henry (All Blacks Coach):

“We expected England to be better than they were. Our reconnaissance, our research, said that they were going to be a very strong side, and a lot of people that knew them well thought they would give us a hell of a big game.

“So if England had come into the Test series a seven out of 10, they probably ended up a five out of 10. The South Africans will be a 10 out of 10.

“South Africa has a very strong team right now and we have a huge challenge in front of us. We’ll need a big step up from our performance in the Iveco series to be competitive.

“They are a very talented rugby team, they are world champions and hopefully we can give them a game.

“They have been playing very well, they have got old heads there who can drive the ship, they have been impressive really.

“We have total respect for the Springboks, their new coach will bring new ideas, they’ll try different things. It’ll make it interesting won’t it? I’m sure they’ll pick a strong side. They are very experienced and the best side in the world obviously.”

Henry said from what he had seen, South Africa, under de Villiers were “probably trying to use the ball a lot more, keep the ball in their hands a bit more”.

“I think they are pretty enthusiastic group, playing good football.

“If you have a massive test match, this would be a massive test match – it’s a 10 out of 10 test match”.

Peter de Villiers (Springbok Coach):

“It goes without saying that playing the All Blacks anywhere is one of the toughest tests in the game, but in New Zealand it becomes even tougher.

“New Zealand have been the most successful rugby country in the world over the last decade, with the exception of their World Cup performances.

“They are true rugby thinkers and they play with supreme confidence at home, resulting in an attitude that does not contemplate defeat when on home soil.

“I’m not surprised at all that we have struggled there since 1998, but it should be remembered how close the Boks came to victories in 2004 and 2005.

“We will leave this country with our minds focused on the first Test and the first Test only. There’s no use planning and getting worked up about the novelty of two Tests in New Zealand.

“The reality is one Test is played after the next, so I will prepare the squad for the first Test only. When it’s completed, we’ll reassess and then prepare for the second Test.

“I am not a loser. I will never be satisfied if we lose.

“We are ready for the Tri nations. I am happy with the way things have gone in the first three tests thus far. We are not where we want to be yet, but we are 60 percent of the way there.

“The 30 players we have are the best in the country and from them, on any day, I can choose my strongest 15 for a match.

“I trust all South African rugby players, and will pick the side I feel has the best chance of winning. That doesn’t just go for the New Zealand Tests.

“Whoever I name in my 22 for any Test, regardless if they have one cap or 100, will have my full faith and backing.

“It will be foolish of anyone to come to New Zealand and claim that the All Blacks are there for the taking as many would suggest.

“The Tri-Nations is an extremely tough competition and even more so when you play the All Blacks in consecutive Tests in New Zealand.

“We recently struggled against the two Six Nations teams and the All Blacks are bound to be a tougher test.

“They will undoubtedly try and prove that their lapse in last year’s World Cup was just that – and that they, and not us, are the best in the world.

“You never get a bad All Blacks team. At their worst, they will still be the best in the world.

“We shouldn’t think that they are vulnerable. Both the All Blacks and Australia are playing under the old laws and it has made it more difficult for them. You really can’t take anything from those games.

“Look what happened when we played Wales and when they used the old rules to their advantage. We also struggled at times to adapt to the old laws. It will be difficult in New Zealand. We know that.

“Still, we have levelled the playing fields a little bit in the past five years with a number of Super 14 victories over there, and the players know how to travel better nowadays. We are looking forward to a good tour.

“We didn’t play New Zealand in the World Cup, so we have to beat them to call ourselves proper world champions. That will be a great motivation for them.”

On the injury of All Black captain Richie McCaw, De Villiers said:

“Any team will miss a player of his leadership quality and tremendous work rate. Sure, he will be missed by his team, but such is the depth and strength of their players they will no doubt select a very capable replacement. I think anybody who thinks they will be a weakened side is a fool.

“It’s going to be a tough, tough call for anybody to step in there. But as I said, the talent in this country, you’ve got seven or eight loose forwards you can choose from,”

Former Bok assistant Eddie Jones is putting his money on the Springboks to win the Tri Nations series this year.

“Peter de Villiers has a great pool of talent out of which he can choose a team to face New Zealand. The Springboks have so much more depth in positions than any other team in the competition.

“With several players injured and a number of them who have sought further employment in England after the World Cup, the All Blacks are definitely vulnerable.

“But it still is the biggest test in World rugby to try and beat the All Blacks at home. This year however, the Springboks will have a perfect opportunity to do so, especially now that their captain Richie McCaw is out of the Test series through injury. They are ripe to be picked.

“Smit and his team should dominate particularly in the lineouts and De Villiers had another master stroke by bringing back Victor Matfield to anchor the setpiece. By doing so he has ensured the Boks can dominate any lineout in World rugby.”
  
On the reappointment of John Smit as Springbok captain by De Villiers, Jones said:
  
“It was a master stroke. Smit is a brilliant captain and has the ability to motivate his players to play as a unit. There are few better than him in world rugby and just his presence on the field will make a difference.
 
The defensive effort by the Bok midfield will be crucial.

“Adrian Jacobs will be tested in the midfield, especially as he has not played a lot against the tough midfielders that New Zealand will put onto the field.

“He played very well in the Super 14 but to face New  Zealand in New Zealand is another proposition altogether. Jean de Villiers is in a class of his own but it will be a determining factor how Jacobs defends on his outside.”

Jones also backed the Boks to beat the Wallabies.

“South Africa should dominate the lineouts against Australia especially as Australia are still getting used to their own new coach Robbie Deans.

“My money is on the Boks to win, but then they need to use their lineout strength and the younger players need to take the step up to Test rugby.”