Currently New Zealand have recorded 22 consecutive wins playing at home, so they’ll have history on their side when they play the South Africa in Auckland on Saturday.
But will they make it win number 23 on the trot? I’m going answer my own question with a resounding yes.
Here are four reasons why:
1. While many major rugby teams claim to have fortresses, Eden Park is probably the hardest of all to storm. It hasn’t been breached for 19 years, when Saint-Andre’s team did the trick by three points.
2. The Haka. An ex-Springbok once told me that when you line up to face the haka in New Zealand, you can’t help thinking, “My God, I’m playing the All Blacks on their patch. Your confidence is rocked and it’s a lot harder to focus.”
3. New Zealand have strike runners all over the place. Like Aaron Smith who scored two tries last week, Dan Carter who made the break and a long run that led to a try, Nonu who has surprising acceleration for a big guy, Conrad Smith who knows how to play Test 13, and a great back three in Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Julian Savea.
Savea, at 6 feet 4, 109 Kgs, can steam down the sideline like early Caucaunibuca. The Boks have some dangerous runners too, but not at 9 or 10.
4. I believe the All Blacks will have a technically better scrum while the Boks get the nod in the lineouts.
I also believe the New Zealand back row will win the breakdown. Vermeulen, Alberts and Louw can bite rivets in half but Messam, Cane and Read are faster around the field.
I cordially invite Springbok fans, as well as gloomy All Black fans, to rip these reasons to pieces.
richard
Guest
pretty useful player,though.
darth vadar
Guest
you're playing the Pumas
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Kiwi kids are weetbix kids.
steve.h
Guest
one prejudicial statement deserves another it seems.
dsat24
oh and sexist too, just peachy
dsat24
you are not sorry, what do you hope to gain with such a narrow minded comment, take it and your 'apology' elsewhere mace 22. you and thor detract from an otherwise great rugby discussion. seriously.
steve.h
Guest
If anything Meyer is frugal man. When I studied at TUKs (university of Pretoria) I, along with the rest of the poor male student body of my faculty ,use to get our hair cut at the cheapest barber down the road at R 10 a hair cut [ $ 1.50]. When I walked in the one day Heyneke was getting his hair sculpted into that most majestic of pseudo crew cut that he has most probably worn this the age of 6. Speaking to the barber apparently he was in there every second week. End of irrelevant story
Seb Vettel
Guest
Take off Nonu and smith in second half, bring on barrett and piutau. Then go hard.
Seb Vettel
Guest
No way better than FItzy
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Is there something wrong with being gay? I dont think Thor was trying to put people down, he is probably gay himself and just wondering. South Africa has a great and proud history of being tolerant and accepting of all kinds of different types of people. I doubt Thor would be silly enough to think calling somebody gay is an insult and so I assume he might find men attractive and is thinking of travelling to Aus and "going to an AFL match", if you know what I mean.
Glenn Innis
Guest
I didn't watch Australia play in Wellington, but in the first test in Sydney I wasn't very impressed by NZ. I thought their defence looked brittle they leaked alot of points. I was very impressed ny SA at Lang Park last week their defense was granite like I think they can really test NZ my biggest comcern is that if an upset is brewing the ref might start to get nervous.
RebelRanger
Guest
Great post.
john
Guest
Dream on because it's all you Sth African supporters can do these days.Allblacks by 10 points plus!
RebelRanger
Guest
+ 1
chuck
Guest
Munster legacy never forget !!! one game Grizz Wiley still talks about it.
Hermann Dill
Guest
Firstly, I live in Thailand since a few years so I don't have expert knowledge about the games status in Sweden right now. Secondly, rugby is a very very minor sport in Sweden and no-one with talent for athletics in any kind would choose to play rugby. There are about 30 other sports that a more popular in Sweden. Most of our club sides are dominated by expats from rugby-playing countries who moved to Sweden ("because they meet a girl"). Same story with our national team.
dcnz
Guest
The New Zealand All Blacks have been numero uno since late 2009. Don't worry we won't give it away without a fight. i expect the ABs to be a bit smarter around the paddock. More experienced at test level too.. Good luck Bokkes...
Johnno
Guest
Swedish rugby, is developing a bit good news to see.
Hermann Dill
Guest
So pumped for todays test. Since I am Swedish, I am neutral, but it would spice up everything if Springboks could win today - serious competition for the number 1 spot is great in any sport. And dear Kiwis, don't get wrong, I respect and admire the AB:s a lot, and I have no ill feeling towards them or anyone supporting them. But today a victory for Springboks would be much appreciated. BB: Yes, Springboks have played far from 100 % against Argentina and England away (and Scotland at home). But they still managed to grind out the wins. That is a a kind of strength you need if you wanna be number 1 in the world over a long period. Ask any Kiwi, AB:s tends to win 1-2 games every year that they easily could have lost. But they don't and that is one of key reasons why they are number 1.
Paul from Melbourne
Guest