Ex-All Black adamant New Zealand concern can be ‘easily fixed’ with Springboks ‘big boys’ looming
Siya Kolisi carrying the ball for Springboks against All Blacks and New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie.
Former All Black Shane Howarth expects the defensive side of their game to be tidied up when they take on the Springboks next month.
New Zealand began life under Dave Rennie with three successive victories, including a 40-21 triumph over Ireland which was their most complete display.
Considering the group has only been together a few weeks, a number of areas were impressive, particularly the attack which sparkled throughout the Nations Championship.
Defensive worries
However, there are elements of their game which need to be improved, with the defence something that was highlighted on Sport Nation’s The Rugby Run.
It did get better as the July series went on and Howarth believes that the All Blacks rearguard will continue to get better ahead of the Test series in South Africa.
“It’s three games in, I think the attack is improving. There were a couple of pretty soft tries and I think that can be easily fixed in terms of around that area of tightening up a bit more, there seemed to be a few holes and I guess that’s a connection thing,” he said.
“It was only the third Test these guys have played together, so you would expect a few minor bumps, but I think if you get the structure right and you tighten up a bit more, particularly with the South Africans because they’re big boys.
“The alternative to that is don’t be bloody five metres from your own line, try and play the game a bit further out from it.”
The previous All Blacks regime was criticised for an apparent conservative approach, but Rennie’s side have been more willing to move the ball from deeper.
They have also played with variety, something which will be vital against the Springboks, who will be happy if New Zealand go too direct, especially when entering the South African 22.
All Blacks’ attacking options
“The points we scored in those three games weren’t low points, so we can score. Everyone gets goal-line fever and white-line fever around that area, but a really pleasing thing for me was we had active runners, the ball carrier had options,” Howarth added.
“Ireland under Joe Schmidt were fantastic at that, and again they were very good last weekend, but so were we. That ball carrier now realises he probably had four options: him going, one guy on the inside, one guy on the outside and one guy behind.
“I’m sure there’s going to be times when you’re 10 metres out where Jordie’s going to go, ‘stuff this, give me the ball’.
“I can see them getting towards that because if you’re going to try and bash down the Boks’ door, you’re not going to win the game so you’re going to have to come up with alternatives.
“You’re going to have to come up with 10 metres out, five metres out; sometimes you’re not going to win that battle against those big bodies, so move them around. It’s positive as hell because I want to see what’s next in this tour.”