New Zealand will be looking to capitalise on any unnecessary risks South Africa choose to take in their World Cup opener on Saturday according to boss Steve Hansen, who is hoping to lead the All Blacks to a third consecutive title in Japan.
The hotly-anticipated match between the two old rivals on just the second day of the tournament is set to ignite the World Cup and Hansen is rightly wary of the Springboks following their Rugby Championship victory earlier this year.
Under Rassie Erasmus, South Africa have seen a dramatic uptick in form and have only lost once in their last seven matches, including a draw with New Zealand in July.
However, Hansen is the most experienced coach in world rugby and will be ready to exploit any chances South Africa give his players.
“Their defensive system has changed a lot. They roll the dice big time,” Hansen said on Monday after training.
“Their wingers come in off their wings – that’s what rolling the dice is. And they’re good at it. Very, very good at it.”
“You want them to roll a couple of ones, rather than a pair of sixes,” he added.
“If there’s one thing I do know, South Africa will give us opportunities because they roll the dice.”
“Are we good enough to take them? Will the weather allow us to take them? We’ll have to wait and see.”
With Italy, Namibia and Canada the other teams in Pool B, regardless Saturday’s result New Zealand and South Africa expect to continue their records of qualifying for the quarter-finals at every World Cup in which they have featured.
Hansen was quick to point out Saturday’s match would not define the entire campaign.
“Logic will tell you whoever wins this game, probably wins the pool,” said Hansen.
“But as we found it in 2011, you don’t have to necessarily win the pool to get into the final. France did it the other way.”
Interesting stat between SA and NZ in RWC. They have met each other four times. 1995 SA 15-12 NZ 1999 SA 22-18 NZ 2003 NZ 29-9 SA 2015 NZ 20-18 SA
Well if the All Blacks in a RWC match don’t provide extreme motivation nothing will.
He is just playing the game smoothy :happy:
smoothy
Roar Rookie
I’m afraid to say he did, indeed fall for it. He and Stick have both gone for the tried and true ‘we hope the ref watches out for the cynical All Blacks’ route for their media comments - aside from mentioning the deep ‘respect’ for the ABs. Full of irony, it seems!
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Imagine if Kiwis lost! That'd be the RWC 19 campaign out the window. Some serious pressure. Underdogs.....sure.
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
The Boks have never been the most innovative team...ever. So not sure what new things they can bring. Unless they are bringing a more intense or physical type of defence then I do not expect too much.....unless they drop Faf as halfback and use Jantes (I think - the new 1/2 back) who has distribution skills like Aaron Smith. Then that halfback can create space for the backs. SA do best when they rely on their forwards and suffocate the opposition and do some rolling malls. The AB's do not need to hold back on anything, I think their first challenge will be to secure some good ball, which they have struggled with over the past couple of years. Then the result will be about which team was able to take their chances on offer. I would not be betting my house on either team to be fair. Should be a fantastic match up. International teams struggle to change their style as the players have come through various teams and systems and cannot be changed over a season.
Jacko
Guest
They can both afford to lose this game.....It means very little except pride...The last game of the tournament decides the winner of the WC not the first in each group.
Jacko
Guest
Its live on Fox in Aus but Setanta ( or Bein as we know it ) isnt showing it on the Aus channels
Walt1010
Guest
Hansen's obviously right. The Boks' system of having the wings come in depends on a mixture of skills and luck. I'm sure the Kiwis will have thought of ways to counter it. They may also come up with tactics to exploit the Boks playing a couple of very short backs. But the Boks will have plans of their own. How psyched will the 2 teams be for a game they can afford to lose? I reckon the Boks game relies more on extreme motivation.
Ex force fan
Guest
We have seen refs losing their whistles and forgetting to officiate when the occasion becomes too big for them. Garces is already under pressure for handing out half of the AB red card that the AB received in their history. Clearly a ref that is prepared to stand up and referee as he sees it - unless the occasion gets the better of him. Four French refs at the RWC are a huge concern!
Ex force fan
Guest
AB will definitely be favourites in this game: they are the favourites to win RWC19 and is the unofficial world #1 rated far above the Boks. This will be a meaningless game up to the haka when both teams will put everything on the line. French ref will be critical to whoever wins the game. The winner should meet England in the semifinals while the loser should l meet Ireland in the quarterfinals.
Wigeye
Guest
My last comment should of read wallabys should move on from the israel folau saga or the media should, Does anyone know if the games will be replayed on sentanta or fox ? As im in bali normaly watch on sentanta go down from lovina to sanur to watch it
Lara
Guest
The Boks will bring something new to the table, the question will be when. This pool game might not be the time n the same goes for the ABs. The RC game against the Boks was the first game BB n RM played together . They now have a few more , so as Hansen states, if the Boks roll that dice to often can the ABs take the opportunity......I would like to think so n the ABs can still not play all their cards for all to see. The ABs midfield combo will be very interesting...Crotty with ALB will provide plenty of ball movement without any lost in defence n enough straight running power to keep the Boks honest or SBW for Crotty n play even more directly n suck in the defence for the wider ball to the backs...options.
joe
Guest
If Garces or any of the French referees are involved , the game will be ruined fairly quickly by yellows and reds . History of these refs tell the story .
Davis
Guest
The only risk would be underestimating the Springboks. This Saturday looks like being a big couch session with France v Argentina the AB's v Boks. Two big and important games that should establish the 1-2 finishing order in the respective groups.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“oz media are throwing out excuses allready” That pesky, excuse-throwing ‘OZ Media’
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
I don't know about mind games Corne, but it nice for us AB's to be underdogs.....
Wigeye
Guest
Yep, a good start with minamal infringments and knock ons etc will be crucial,if allblacks forwards keep it tight hold the ball the backs will carve them up,sure steve h will habe several plan bs and a few mote up his sleeve...........see oz media are throwing out excuses allready if wallabys dont do well they should just move on. Yeah baby 4 more days
And so the mind games begin, just not sure Rassie is stupid enough to fall for it.
Old Bugger
Guest
The game will be won by the side that displays the best discipline. Failure in that department will be costly because this referee does not hesitate when deciding to go to his pocket if, he has to. It is interesting to read comments coming out of the Bokke camp calling for a fair approach from Garces this weekend. Personally, I think that's foolish to try and impart some hidden criteria upon this ref because IMO, he is one ref who calls a spade, a spade. Looking forward to a tense and brutal game......and a win for the darkness.