All Blacks: Scott Robertson addresses the importance of Eden Park record against Springboks
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
Ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated clash against the Springboks at Eden Park in Auckland, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has addressed his team’s superb record at the world famous venue.
New Zealand’s impressive record at Eden Park stretches back to 1994 when they last finished on the losing side at the famous venue in Auckland – falling to a 23-20 defeat against France.
In fine form at Eden Park
Since then, the men in black have racked up a whopping 48 victories at Eden Park and also registered two draws of which one was against South Africa in 1994 shortly after that loss to France.
The All Blacks have faced 12 different opponents at Eden Park since that loss to Les Bleus 31 years ago and this will be their first match at the venue against the Springboks since 2013 when the home side sealed a a 29-15 win.
The Boks have found the going tough at Eden Park over the years and they have only been victorious at the venue on two occasions with their last win registered there way back in 1937.
South Africa claimed a 17-6 victory on that occasion which was a momentous result as it also sealed the Boks’ only series victory over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
Since then, the All Blacks and Boks have faced each other at Eden Park on eight occasions of which the hosts have been victorious seven times and South Africa’s best result was that 18-18 draw in 1994.
Scott Robertson makes blunt admission about All Blacks v Springboks encounter
After being unbeaten in 50 consecutive Tests at Eden Park, Robertson knows that his side will face a tough task against the Boks, who have won their last four Tests against the All Blacks.
Robertson was asked about the All Blacks’ outstanding record and how often they talk about it, and he is fully aware of the significance of maintaining their unbeaten run at Eden Park and what is at stake against their arch rivals this weekend.
‘We understand the figures, the history, the facts and the occasion’
“We talk about it with a lot of care, we understand the figures, the history, the facts and the occasion, and that creates enough edge in itself,” he told reporters in Auckland.
“Human bodies get prepared by how the mind thinks and that occasion and half of New Zealand coming to it, it’s pretty amazing every time we talk to someone they feel like you’re tuning up so you can’t go anywhere here and (not) realise the magnitude of it, so we’re well aware of all that’s in front of us.”
Robertson highlighted what made Eden Park the special place that it is for the All Blacks and the importance of retaining their unbeaten record at the venue.
“All the deeds that have been shown on it, the amount of honour and the respect that has been shown each time you run out there and then obviously that is just added to that legacy and every team has got a role and an opportunity to add to it and ours is this week,” he said.
