When they host South Africa in Auckland the following weekend, the All Blacks are already planning for what will be the Rugby Championship’s deciding match.
After both New Zealand and South Africa started their seasons with convincing victories, this weekend’s matchup emerges as the deciding match in the shortened 2023 edition of the Rugby World Cup, which is quickly approaching.
While the Springboks took a chance by sending certain players to Auckland early to target the game against their old rivals, the All Blacks have a long journey back to New Zealand. The risk paid off because a mixed South African team defeated the Wallabies.
Now the focus is on the tantalising match at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium, where All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is anticipating the monumental Test.
“A big one – it’s always big, we love playing South Africa,” he remarked.
“They have taken 10, 11, or 12 players and put them over in Auckland early, so they have clearly got a plan, but our purpose in these first two weeks is to get this group together,” he continued.
“Next week’s opponent is the worst possible one.”
Foster’s team outperformed Los Pumas, winning 41–12 thanks to an outstanding showing. Particularly remarkable was the first half, during which the team scored 31 points.
Foster argued that in the final 15 minutes, “I thought we got a little bit over-ambitious and tried to force things, which gave them some free shots at us.”
“It’s a bit of a wake-up call — the first half was great, but the second half is probably more indicative of what’s to come.”
Playmaker Damian McKenzie, one of the top players, knows how difficult it will be to beat the Springboks and is eager to play at home once more. planetrugby.com
