All Blacks not far from top form, says captain Cane
New experience for many players as New Zealand play their first Test in SA since 2018
02 August 2022 - 16:54
by NICK SAID
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Mbombela — New Zealand captain Sam Cane believes there is “not a whole lot” they need to improve to get back into top form after four losses in their past five Tests have left the team under fire back home and their 2023 Rugby World Cup preparations under a cloud.
Ireland’s historic 2-1 series win in New Zealand in July put head coach Ian Foster under enormous pressure but it was his assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar who got the boot and were replaced by forwards coach Jason Ryan.
Any immediate improvement will be tested by world champions SA in the opening match of the Rugby Championship that will be played at altitude in Mbombela on Saturday.
“It may seem like there’s a lot to fix from the outside but in camp we have some clear focuses and often when you get those big things right a lot of the smaller things that may seem like issues sort themselves out,” Cane told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s important that we don’t focus on all these things going wrong because the truth is there aren’t a whole lot. With top teams it is small margins in games.
“In the last Test [against Ireland] we lost by 10 points [32-22] but we let them score two rolling maul tries, which for an All Black pack is something we don’t see as acceptable. Fix that and it is one big thing we have sorted out.”
New Zealand play their first Test in SA since 2018 and for some of the touring All Blacks it will be a new experience to face the Boks in their own backyard.
“It’s been a long time since we have been here. It is one of the things you took for granted when we were doing it twice a year. There are a few boys who are in SA for the first time,” Cane added.
“They [the Boks] have incredible depth in their squad. We know what to expect, a confrontational, physical battle. Big men coming around the corner, cleaning hard, and then the skill in the midfield and the backs. It’s up there with the best in the world. They are the full package.”
The teams will also clash in a second Rugby Championship encounter in Johannesburg on August 13.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
All Blacks not far from top form, says captain Cane
New experience for many players as New Zealand play their first Test in SA since 2018
Mbombela — New Zealand captain Sam Cane believes there is “not a whole lot” they need to improve to get back into top form after four losses in their past five Tests have left the team under fire back home and their 2023 Rugby World Cup preparations under a cloud.
Ireland’s historic 2-1 series win in New Zealand in July put head coach Ian Foster under enormous pressure but it was his assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar who got the boot and were replaced by forwards coach Jason Ryan.
Any immediate improvement will be tested by world champions SA in the opening match of the Rugby Championship that will be played at altitude in Mbombela on Saturday.
“It may seem like there’s a lot to fix from the outside but in camp we have some clear focuses and often when you get those big things right a lot of the smaller things that may seem like issues sort themselves out,” Cane told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s important that we don’t focus on all these things going wrong because the truth is there aren’t a whole lot. With top teams it is small margins in games.
“In the last Test [against Ireland] we lost by 10 points [32-22] but we let them score two rolling maul tries, which for an All Black pack is something we don’t see as acceptable. Fix that and it is one big thing we have sorted out.”
New Zealand play their first Test in SA since 2018 and for some of the touring All Blacks it will be a new experience to face the Boks in their own backyard.
“It’s been a long time since we have been here. It is one of the things you took for granted when we were doing it twice a year. There are a few boys who are in SA for the first time,” Cane added.
“They [the Boks] have incredible depth in their squad. We know what to expect, a confrontational, physical battle. Big men coming around the corner, cleaning hard, and then the skill in the midfield and the backs. It’s up there with the best in the world. They are the full package.”
The teams will also clash in a second Rugby Championship encounter in Johannesburg on August 13.
Reuters
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