The All Blacks are eyeing the opportunity to complete an historic double against South Africa following last night’s victory at Eden Park but will have to do so in Wellington next weekend without hooker Codie Taylor and right wing Emoni Narawa.
Taylor failed a head injury assessment after a collision with Boks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit during the All Blacks’ 24-17 victory, with Narawa, who touched down for a stunning try only three minutes into the Test, almost certainly out with a rib injury after colliding with fullback Willie le Roux shortly afterwards.
Samisoni Taukei’aho, who performed admirably off the bench as Taylor’s replacement, will likely start at Sky Stadium next Saturday, with Brodie McAllister providing back up on the bench.
Andrew Saville and Patrick McKendry break down gutsy win over South Africa, Watch on TVNZ+
Canterbury’s George Bell will probably receive an invite to join the squad as cover providing he came through his side’s Ranfurly Shield victory over Southland in Invercargill unscathed.
Narawa’s demise may provide a reprieve for Sevu Reece, dropped from the match-day squad after the defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires a fortnight ago, although Leicester Fainga’anuku will also be in the frame after joining the squad early last week.
Head coach Scott Robertson said Fainga’anuku would be better for his week with the squad after a couple of years in France and he would certainly provide a new challenge for a Boks team that lost the physical battle against the All Blacks.
Casualties apart, there was plenty for the All Blacks to be happy about a day after an epic contest against their old foe, including the protection of their remarkable 51-Test, 31-year unbeaten streak at their fortress and the marking of Ardie Savea’s 100-Test milestone.
The intensity and accuracy of their start, which reaped two spectacular set-piece tries, immediately put the Boks on the back foot and the visitors had few attacking ideas beyond kicking the ball away, although their scrum put the squeeze on the All Blacks in the final quarter – a clear area of improvement for assistant coach Jason Ryan.
“We’re obviously satisfied with the performance last night,” forwards coach Ryan said today. “The intensity of the Test match was right up there. There are some sore bodies today so getting us fresh and back to re-set will be really important.”
Savea, lock Tupou Vaa’i, flanker Simon Parker and No.8 Wallace Sititi were stand outs in Ryan’s pack, with Beauden Barrett a far more effective playmaker than his opposite Handre Pollard.
Much anticipated contest at Eden Park lived up to expectations at venues around the country. (Source: 1News)
Boks coach Rassie Erasmus was clearly disgruntled at the performances of some of his players – he referred to "stupid mistakes" – and has already promised to wield the axe. Pollard could be a casualty along with veteran Le Roux.
Either way, a response is coming from the world champions who saw their four-win streak over the All Blacks broken last night but, according to Ryan, there is one coming from his men too.
“I’m expecting a big response from us,” he said. “We have a unique opportunity to play two Tests against South Africa in New Zealand and now we have an opportunity win the Freedom Cup so that will be talked about this week.
“You often hear the saying ‘pressure is a privilege’ but the reality is pressure is a lifestyle when you’re in the All Blacks. It’s just the way you’ve got to be. At Eden Park there was a lot on that – there is a lot on this one as well. we just have to make sure we build that edge and then some this week.”
The All Blacks, so lacklustre against the Pumas in Buenos Aires, had a more ruthless mindset than their rivals at the breakdown and troubled the visitors’ lineout, with Vaa’i, back at lock after performing well as a loose forward this year, and skipper Scott Barrett outstanding in this area.
They also had a better appreciation of space and kept their full complement of players on the field – unlike the Boks, who had replacement flanker Kwagga Smith yellow carded in the second half. The penalty count was tied at 10-10.
The one area of concern will be the way their scrum went backwards in the final quarter – once when it was demolished in the lead-up to Malcolm Marx’s try and again when it collapsed and conceded a penalty shortly afterwards.
According to Ryan, though, the set piece should not be an issue.
“We were a bit messy, especially on our ball,” he said. “There was one where they climbed into us. We lost our footing and tried to get it back but it was just too late... That will be a never-again moment, that one.”
Halfback Kyle Preston enjoyed a memorable Test debut as back up for the solid Finlay Christie but it is possible he may not feature on his provincial home ground next Saturday after Ryan confirmed that the injured Noah Hotham (ankle sprain) and Cortez Ratima (rib) were progressing well.
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