Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is pushing the boundaries of rugby’s laws again, as evidenced during his team’s recent big win over Italy, and counterpart Scott Robertson says the All Blacks will be expecting the unexpected in the two Tests against the old foe in September.
It says something about the All Blacks’ comfortable 43-17 victory in the second Test against a much-changed France in Wellington at the weekend that two days later the biggest points of interest in Robertson’s press conference in Hamilton were South Africa’s controversial tactics during their 45-0 win in Gqeberha.
The Boks’ victory featured a deliberate short first kick-off by the home side to manufacture a scrum (which should have been a penalty as the South African receiver caught the ball in an offside position), and several bizarre mauls whereby the receiver of the pass was lifted like a lineout jumper in open play.
The tactics have the rugby world talking – on social media, anyway – and Robertson, who will prepare the All Blacks for Tests against the world champions at Eden Park and Sky Stadium in September, said that wasn’t a bad thing.
Of the deliberate short kick-off, Robertson said: “I did that during my time [as a player] in Perpignan, actually. We had a hell of a scrum. Kicked it out on the full … it’s not new and it shows the intentions, doesn’t it? That’s the great thing about rugby – you can be innovative, show your strengths and surprise people.”
Of the maul surprises – which could constitute illegal obstruction if defended smartly – Robertson said: “Oh, look it’s pretty unique, isn’t it? We’re talking about it, it’s great for our game. That’s the difference probably to other sports. People have an opinion and World Rugby will look at it. Play on or adapt and change.”
Asked whether he would expect such tactics from the Boks in the Rugby Championship, he said: “You’ve got to consider everything.”
Erasmus, previously banned for criticising match officials but generally regarded as a rugby mastermind in South Africa, is not one to shirk attention or controversy. Whether the Boks attempt such whacky moves in New Zealand remains to be seen but there will be a plan beyond the obvious.
Call it an early shot in a psychological battle or a genuine attempt to change things up, Erasmus likes to plan several steps ahead – helped by adviser Jaco Peyper, a former Test referee.
His "bomb squad" reserves bench is not universally loved either but there are few better at finding apparent weaknesses in the game's laws and exploiting them for all they are worth.
Closer to home, and the All Blacks are shaping their attack in far more subtle ways.
It was clear at the Cake Tin that they wanted to be more direct than they were in the first Test and that was evidenced in an attack which attempted to go through the front door rather than the side.
In Dunedin, the All Blacks got excellent results when finding first-five Beauden Barrett or fullback Damian McKenzie behind the front pod of players. Rushing to the front line, the French defence was bamboozled time and again.
At the weekend, much of the play went through second-five Jordie Barrett in the front line.
It is clear the All Blacks are developing at least two lines of attack, something acknowledged by Robertson today.
“Depth is one way to attack teams that ‘line speed’ you and we can play flat as well so we’re concentrating on both – to do everything.”
His answer to the trick lineout move at the Cake Tin finished by halfback Cam Roigard could also apply here – as indeed it could the Springboks at the weekend.
“Something you haven’t seen is the hardest thing to defend,” Robertson said.
Loose forward Luke Jacobson, one of several Chiefs players likely to get an opportunity in the third Test against France at Waikato Stadium on Saturday, said he trained fully last week following his head injury in the Super Rugby final and was available for selection.
Robertson will name his team on Thursday, with several changes likely, including Ruben Love at fullback and a new inside back starting combination of Cortez Ratima and McKenzie.
“It is extra special to be able to do it at home,” Jacobson said. “You’ve got a big base of your friends and family that are here. It would be awesome to get the nod and it’s nice to play at a stadium that’s familiar.”
Meanwhile, Robertson confirmed that wing Caleb Clarke faced up to eight weeks on the sideline due to his ankle sprain suffered in training last week.
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