Can New Zealand and South Africa produce another thriller?
Friday 12 September 2014 10:03, UK
The top two teams in the world go head-to head on Saturday as New Zealand host South Africa in Wellington in the Rugby Championship.
Recent encounters between these two have been epic battles but New Zealand have won eight of the last nine encounters and former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick cannot see that trend changing anytime soon.
“South Africa will be wounded after that narrow loss to Australia last week and will be desperate to get a win over the All Blacks. It should be one heck of an encounter but I will be very surprised if the All Blacks don’t win.
It will be a very physical encounter though. I keep on saying it week in and week out but if you want to compete with the All Blacks then you have to take them on physically.
“I have been blown away by how accurate New Zealand are at the moment – the conditions did not allow them to play that well last week but they still scored four tries against a very good Argentina team who ran the Boks very close. The All Blacks put a lot of pressure on each other to perform and it is going to be very interesting to see how they raise the bar this weekend.
“New Zealand have a huge amount of respect for South Africa and these two always seem to bring the best out of each other when they meet. Last year, we witnessed two wonderful matches and I am expecting the same this year. I recently spent a bit of time back in New Zealand with the team and they are really up for this and very, very focused.”
New Zealand have made three changes to the side that beat Argentina last weekend – with Sam Whitelock and Liam Messam out injured, Jeremy Thrush and Steven Luatua get their chance while Aaron Cruden comes back in at fly-half for Beauden Barrett.
“Whitelock is a real loss, he has been outstanding this year and with Brodie Retallick they have been the in-form locks,” added Fitzpatrick who led New Zealand to the first ever series win against the Springboks in South Africa in 1996.
“It is a real blow but it does give Jeremy Thrush a chance to show what he can do. He has been a little bit of a spare part in the squad recently. He has played very well in the Super Rugby but has been behind the likes of Luke Romano, and Dominic Bird. He has been given a chance here after he played very well when he came on last weekend against Argentina.
“Steve Luatua has a chance to redeem himself after Liam Messam’s injury. Luatua had a slow start to the season and got thrown off the All Black squad and told to go and get fit. He has done that and looks like he is up to speed. He had such a big year last year and with Messam’s injury he is the logical replacement. Luatua is suited to the physical game that the Springboks bring and I think he balances out Kieran Read and Richie McCaw.
“Aaron Cruden is back in too – they were always going to play Barrett in one of the games to give him an opportunity and see how he copes with it. He played very well last week against Argentina, although his place kicking could have been a lot better.”
Fitzpatrick approves of South Africa handing youngster Handre Pollard the No.10 jersey for this clash and believes he could help the Boks really take the game to New Zealand.
“I personally think that Pollard has got what it takes; he has played very well at the U20 level and he has an excellent all round game. Morne Steyn is battling to make the Racing Metro starting line-up in the Top 14 so I really do think that Pollard is the future for South Africa. I think he has more of an attacking game and that is what South Africa have to bring on Saturday.
“It will be a very physical encounter though. I keep on saying it week in and week out but if you want to compete with the All Blacks then you have to take them on physically. That is why Australia battle against them because they cannot match them. However, teams like South Africa have the players to take New Zealand on in the forwards. If they do that then it is up to Pollard to make the most of the opportunities and stretch the All Blacks defensively.
“That is what New Zealand do, they put defensive systems under so much pressure that eventually they do crack. South Africa really have to nail their defence down because it’s not been up to scratch and that could cost them dearly.”
