All Blacks Reveal How They Are Handling Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks Selection Surprises
- The All Blacks are preparing for another major battle against the Springboks, but there is an added element of uncertainty ahead of the third Test
- New Zealand assistant coach Mike Blair has addressed the approach being taken by Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff
- The All Blacks have revealed how they are preparing for a Springboks side that could still have a few surprises in store before kick-off
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All Blacks assistant coach Mike Blair has delivered his verdict on Rassie Erasmus’ team-naming tactics ahead of the third Test against the Springboks. Blair acknowledged that New Zealand are paying attention to Erasmus’ selections but suggested they will not read too much into them.
Speaking to reporters in Cape Town, Blair said the All Blacks know the Springboks could still change their lineup shortly before kick-off.
“You take notice of it, but you take it with a pinch of salt as well,” Blair said.
“Listening to what Rassie said after the second Test about how he changed the team around depending on the weather, it shows that they’ve got the capability of doing that.”
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According to RugbyPass, Blair was responding to Erasmus’ decision to change his starting front row just an hour before the second Test in Cape Town.
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw were replaced before kick-off after the Springboks assessed the conditions at DHL Stadium.
All Blacks refuse to be caught out
Erasmus later explained that the coaching staff had planned to make the final decision after inspecting the pitch.
The improved weather forecast also influenced their thinking, with the heavier front-row combination considered better suited to the damper conditions later in the match.
Blair said the incident gave New Zealand an indication of how flexible South Africa can be.
However, he insisted the All Blacks would not build their preparations around particular Springboks players. He said the South African lineup could change right up until kick-off and that this was something New Zealand had seen before.
Instead, the All Blacks are concentrating on South Africa’s broader playing identity.
“We understand the South African DNA in terms of their game, how they defend. A lot of the individuals coming to that will fit within that system, so we prepare for the team’s ethos as opposed to the individuals,” Blair said.
He explained that the individual players selected by Erasmus generally operate within that established system.
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Mike Blair praises All Blacks improvement
Blair also believes New Zealand took a step forward between the opening 2 Tests. Despite losing the Cape Town contest, he said the All Blacks improved their ability to balance their game with ball in hand.
New Zealand still want to play with tempo and move the Springboks pack around. Blair added that his team have also identified different ways to fatigue the South African forwards.
The All Blacks now prepare for the third Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, with the series finely poised.
Rassie Erasmus makes changes ahead of third Test
Briefly News previously reported that Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to the Springboks lineup for their third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium.
The reshuffle comes as South Africa look to build on their 33-26 victory in Cape Town, with Erasmus also forced to deal with an injury setback involving one of his key players.
The Springboks coach has also made an intriguing positional decision as he prepares his side for another high-stakes encounter with New Zealand.
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Source: Briefly News
