Dave Rennie Says Springboks Are Beatable But All Blacks Must Be at Their Best
- All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie reflected on his side's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series loss to South Africa, saying the squad was 'disappointed and frustrated'
- Rennie acknowledged the Springboks' strength after they won back-to-back World Cups, but insisted they can be beaten under the right conditions
- New Zealand will look to end their losing streak when they host Australia in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on 10 October
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All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has acknowledged the Springboks' formidable reputation while insisting that South Africa remains a side that can be beaten, provided opponents bring their absolute best.
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Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast show, Rennie addressed New Zealand's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks, in which the All Blacks won the opener before dropping three consecutive matches on South African soil.
Rennie reflects on series against the Springboks
Rennie described the review process as thorough, noting that the coaching staff had conducted individual assessments before reconvening for broader discussions.
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"We did a lot of good things, but need to be better," he said.
Despite the series defeat, Rennie spoke positively about the experience of touring South Africa. The All Blacks faced three Tests in the Republic and also played against local United Rugby Championship sides. He said the seven-week exposure gave the coaching staff a detailed look at more than 40 players, leaving him confident the squad is in a stronger position as a result.
On the Springboks specifically, Rennie pointed to South Africa's consistency and collective experience as the defining factors behind their dominance.
"They've won two World Cups in a row, which puts them right up with the most successful sides in history," he said.
"They've got a lot of guys who are well into their 30s, and they play a lot of footy together. They're clear on their DNA, and you've got to beat them. They don't give you anything."
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He maintained, however, that South Africa is far from unbeatable.
"They're beatable, but you've got to be at your best, and that's where we want to get to," Rennie added.
All Blacks to maintain their playing philosophy
Rennie was firm that the series loss would not prompt a change in the All Blacks' playing style. "We're committed to the way we're trying to play. And when we get that right, we're a real handful," he said.
He also revisited the series opener at Ellis Park, where New Zealand claimed a 33-16 victory. Rennie admitted that the margin did not reflect the actual state of the match.
"We knew that the game was a lot closer than the score indicated," he said, adding that the subsequent Tests were tight contests in which New Zealand failed to take their chances.
The All Blacks will next take the field on 10 October when they host the Wallabies at Eden Park in the first Bledisloe Cup Test of the year. Australia arrive in Auckland having recently beaten a heavily rotated Springboks side in Perth.
Ardie Savea to have shoulder surgery
Briefly News previously reported that New Zealand Rugby confirmed All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder sustained during the Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks
Savea has already been ruled out of the Bledisloe Cup Tests against the Wallabies, with his November Nations Championship involvement also in doubt
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Source: Briefly News
