Bokwatch Day 4: Built Like a Madman!

All Blacks eighthman Jerome Kaino has been talking a lot this week considering Saturday is his first test against the Boks.

“They’ve got tremendous size and speed. The Springboks have got big ball-carriers and a lot of strong runners too.

“Pierre Spies is built like a mad man, Schalk Burger is always on the ball, he’s just everywhere, and then there’s still Juan Smith and Luke Watson, who can be a danger out wide.

“So there’s no doubt we’ll need to be on top of our A game and we’ll need to match them physically.”

Luckily for Kaino, Spies has not been selected for the Bok team – he’s not even on the bench.

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock is as surprised as everyone at BJ Botha’s  non-selection.

“I am a bit surprised he’s not here because BJ’s a very good scrummager and good around the track too.

“But I’m still expecting a big tussle on Saturday because they pride themselves on their scrummaging and so do we. Scrummaging will still play a big part in the game.

“They’re very strong and they’re a strong running team too. Hard and strong, and good at the set-pieces, those are the keys to our rugby as well.”

Dan Carter continued the All Black’s psychological ploy of unrealistically building up the Boks by heaping the praise on his opposite number Butch James.

“Butch is one of the very best in the world. He has all the skills. He is a physical player who defends well, as everyone knows, and he attacks well, too. He is a polished player and an important asset to the Springbok team.

“Butch played very well last year and took his game to a new level. His experience now makes him an even better player.”
With typically shocking New Zealand weather predicted for Saturday, Carter emphasised the important role that kicking would play.

“I expect there will be a little more tactical kicking if the weather is bad. If it’s wet and windy the ball will probably be kept among the forwards a little more.”

“The experimental laws make the game faster and the ball is in play for longer. With the backlines having to stand five metres behind the scrum, it is easier for a flyhalf to get his three-quarters over the advantage line. But tactical kicking is also important.

Like his team-mates and coach he seems to believe that there will be some sort of redemption for their World Cup disaster if they manage to beat the Boks. I doubt that the New Zealand public are that forgiving…

“It will send out a strong message if we can beat the Springboks.

“We did well against Ireland and England, but it will be much harder to play South Africa. They have an experienced side and will be full of confidence but we’re ready to challenge them.”

John Smit talked about the challenges of the post-World Cup Springbok era.

“Every team that comes out to South Africa or is going to play against us over the next four years are going to want to take away what we have achieved. We have to take our form from the last 12 to 18 months into these Tests against the big nations.

“The majority of the squad that played a role in Paris in 2007 are still involved in this squad as well, so the theme remains the same.

“The confidence we gained out of the World Cup is certainly quite relevant to how we’re training and how we’re playing. The exciting part is that it is a new era and we’ve got a new coach in Peter de Villiers and he’s come with some fresh ideas and he’s put some changes towards us as well.”

The Bok captain then rubbished the disgraced former Springbok captain Corné Krige’s comments that the loss of Richie McCaw and the inclusion of Rodney So’oialo at flank for Saturday’s match will give the Boks a huge advantage.

“I can’t see how much Corné has had to do with Rodney or the experience he’s had of playing against him.

“We seem to have a company in South Africa called rent-a-quote and Corné’s at the top of the list at the moment.

“I wouldn’t say there’s any validity in that. I know Rodney personally and I’ve been playing against him for many years. He might not be as intuitive but he’s as active on the field and I think that’s what counts most as captain.”

The World Cup winning captain talked about the motivation for beating the All Blacks in New Zealand.

“It certainly does put a bit of fire in the belly because it’s a box that hasn’t been ticked. There have been opportunities before this one where we’ve had some close games and been pipped right at the end and been heartbroken.

“It’s not an easy venue to get Test victories, we certainly are aware of the challenges ahead and we’ve come here motivated to turn the tide.”

Rodders So’oialo would like us to believe that he is up for the challenge of captaining the All Blacks.

“Having Richie missing, that’s a big challenge because he’s not only got the leadership quality but he’s a great player. That’s going to be the biggest challenge for us, not having him around. I’m willing to take up that challenge.”