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One of the biggest points of difference among the top-seeded teams will be their preparation for the World Cup, starting September 8th in Paris.
I watched England and Wales play the other day and felt sorry for their fans – there is a lot of work to be done for both teams.
An hour or so later, a close-to-full-strength France played Scotland, with both teams displaying flair, skills and power that made them look as if they were playing at a considerably higher level.
That is exactly the kind of match the All Blacks need, which is why the pre-World Cup clash between them and South Africa is critical for the coaches and players.
But first, let’s put to bed the discussions about the All Blacks using the match as another chance to experiment or field a ‘B Team’. None of these options will do them any good in preparation for the major tournament.
There are plenty of good reasons why the Springboks match-up can significantly contribute to RWC success.
Game-time
Some players, such as Ethan De Groot, Codie Taylor, Shannon Frizell, Rieko Ioane and the Barretts, need more miles in the legs before the RWC begins, otherwise they will have gone several weeks without a match.
Others, due to injuries (Fletcher Newell, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Emoni Narawa), and limited rotation of players (Luke Jacobson, Tamaiti Williams, Cam Roigard, Mark Telea and Leicester Fainga’anuku and even Samipeni Finau) are even more in need of game-time to a) gain more experience playing against the top teams; b) further prove or reinforce their stake to the starting 23 line-up; and c) to build combinations.
Combinations
Great progress has been made on this front by the All Blacks, and this year’s line-ups have clarified a near-final starting XV.
But these combinations still need further experience against the likes of South Africa, as do the ones that emerge when the bench comes onto the field. Smooth transitions are essential – no need for horrors like last year’s final stanza against England – so the more time that Havili has with Richie Mo’unga and Ioane on either side of him the better.
Similarly, if Leinert-Brown comes on at centre, he needs more game-time with Jordie Barrett and Havili on the inside, and the likes of Will Jordan, Telea and Fainga’anuku on the outside.
Let’s find out if Newell and Ofa Tu’ungafasi can come on again as effective replacements, as they did in Dunedin.
Experience
The younger players need as much big game experience as possible. For that reason, Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Williams, Roigard, Narawa and Fainga’anuku need to play at least part of the match, if not all of it.
At the same time, the more seasoned and/or essential members of the squad need to be rested or used off the bench to lessen the chance of injury. These include Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Mo’unga, Ioane, Jordan and Beauden Barrett.
We all know there is a risk of injuries at any time in any match, and it can have devastating effects on a team if key players are affected – French star Romain Ntamack’s injury last weekend the perfect example. But this can also happen in the first official match of the World Cup, or the second: injuries will happen.
A 33-man squad is selected with this in mind, and replacements can still be brought in before the tournament begins.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Psychology
While acknowledging the risk of injury, it will be a massive boost to the All Blacks if they beat the Springboks in their final lead-up match to the RWC.
Improving combinations
Win or lose, if combinations are further developed, players are tested and excel (or do not), and – dare I say it – lessons are learned, then that is another critically successful part of the build-up to the tournament proper.
Pressure
What better way to prepare for the rigours of the RWC than playing the current world champions in front of a boisterous sell-out crowd at Twickenham with all the world watching? Especially so for the more junior members of the squad.
Remember too, that some of the squad have a serious crack at being in the match-day 23s for the tournament, and have this Twickenham battle with South Africa to prove themselves one more time – Newell, Williams, Vaa’i, Narawa, Fainga’anuku, Roigard will surely all be chomping at the bit.
It’s South Africa
Let’s face it: neither the players nor coaches, nor New Zealanders in general, want to lose to South Africa, but would accept such a fate if what came out of the game was further progress in preparation for the matches in France.
Let’s not insult the Springboks by fielding a ‘B’ or ‘C’ team, or insult the sell-out crowd who are paying big money to see the match.
Win or lose, this is an important game; which is why I consider it to be the All Blacks’ unofficial eighth match of the RWC (along with four pool matches and a potential quarter-final, semi-final and final).
If Foster, Joe Schmidt, Jason Ryan, the respective assistant coaches and all the players can use this Springboks date to learn, adapt and apply their RWC strategy, that will galvanise support in New Zealand, and will increase the team’s likelihood of regaining the Webb Ellis Cup and returning home on top of the rugby world.
Join experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones and a cast of special guests as they look at the biggest issues in rugby every Wednesday at The Roar. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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