How New Zealand’s media reacted to All Blacks’ loss to Springboks as ‘Lex Luther mastermind Rassie Erasmus’ credited for world champions’ turnaround
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and All Blacks fly-half Ruben Love (inset).
Planet Rugby takes a look at how the New Zealand media reacted to the All Blacks’ defeat to the Springboks in the second Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
After taking a crucial 1-0 lead in the four-Test series courtesy of a 33-16 triumph in Johannesburg last week, the All Blacks were brimming with confidence ahead their latest clash with their arch-rivals.
However, they faced a sterner test against the world champions, who delivered a much better performance this time round and despite being outscored by four tries to three, the Springboks eventually clinched a 33-26.
The All Blacks‘ next challenge is against the Springboks at the FNB Stadium on Saturday and New Zealand’s rugby writers have called for improvement from Dave Rennie‘s troops ahead of that encounter.
“The little moments went the way of New Zealand last week, but in test two of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, it was South Africa who knew how to convert pressure into points and how to squeeze the All Blacks into an anxious knot,” wrote The New Zealand Herald‘s Gregor Paul.
“They cranked… up that big green engine of theirs, sent the troops flying into the contact zones and won the collision warfare, won the contest on the touchline and had the smarter tactical generals who produced the more balanced and test-savvy game management.
‘The Boks they had a bit of pass and catch in their mix’
“The hosts played the better rugby. That’s a painful fact for the All Blacks, but it’s true. The Boks are so-often derided for their devotion to one-dimensional strategies – faintly accused of bringing the game into disrepute for having the temerity to enjoy scrummaging. But in their Cape Town, the Boks they had a bit of pass and catch in their mix, enough certainly to effectively balance their box kicking, build the pressure and finish their opportunities.
“The 33-26 victory has to be credited to Lex Luther mastermind Rassie Erasmus who switched his starting front-row an hour before kick-off and built a gameplan around his ever-changing selections that wheedled out some previous unrealised cracks in the All Blacks armoury.
“The All Blacks never looked totally rattled or harangued, but they were a little bit off for extended periods.
“There was nothing obviously broken about their game, but they made a few key, costly errors that deepened the perception they were battling to cope with the defensive linespeed and all-round pressure South Africa were exerting.”
Paul also highlighted the fact that key playmakers Ruben Love and Jordie Barrett did not replicate the performances which they delivered in Johannesburg.
“And for the first time this year, Ruben Love looked a little unsure at times. He had a few dither and hither moments, as well as some direct intrusions and clever touches, but he couldn’t quite find his best game,” he wrote.
“Or at least, he couldn’t find way to make himself the dominant figure the All Blacks needed him to be. Perhaps its misty-eyed nostalgia, but the memory says that in games like this yesteryear, Daniel Carter would have found a way to impose his will on proceedings and deliver a touch of magic to change the shape of the test.
‘Fractions matter at this level’
“Love wasn’t a long way off, but the fractions matter at this level. Jordie Barrett, so assured and brilliant last week, was tied up and shut down and he too had the odd moment he’d rather forget – a poor decision to try to run out of his own 22 rather than hoof the ball downfield, and an uncharacteristic hesitation after fielding a high ball.
“But like Love, he also had his good moments – a handful of high ball takes, some great long passes over the top of the defence to Will Jordan and his usual portfolio of big tackles.
“The All Blacks will also need to look at their discipline, which was again at the high end of the acceptable range, with two or three penalties falling squarely in the needless category.
“But it was small margin stuff that swung the game away from the All Blacks. They got a fair bit right – finding a way to play around South Africa and create space out wide.”
Stuff‘s Richard Knowler echoed those sentiemts regarding the All Blacks’ key playmakers.
“All Blacks No 10 Ruben Love didn’t build on his performance at Ellis Park. He wasn’t able to use his tactical kicking game to counter the Springboks’ rushing defensive line, but he wasn’t alone on that score,” wrote Knowler.
“Midfielder Jordie Barrett didn’t meet the high notes with several punts, either.”
Knowler also highlighted Erasmus’ role in the home side’s victory and identified the Springboks head coach’s late front-row changes as a key factor in giving his side an edge.
“The All Blacks forwards, having learned of the opposition match-day 23 earlier in the week, would have looked at the names on the team sheet and done their homework about what to expect,” he added.
“But Erasmus had a surprise in store for All Blacks front rowers George Bower, Codie Taylor and Lomax. Erasmus announced shortly before kick-off he would switch his front rows.
“He wheeled out Gerhard Steenkamp, Thomas du Toit and Fourie as his starting front rowers. Erasmus pushed the plunger and detonated his Bomb Squad tactic and swapped two of his big boys in the 35th minute.
“Ox Nche and Marx took the field just before halftime. The pair were joined by Wilco Louw in the 56th minute.
“Erasmus isn’t one to play by the rules.
“If World Rugby has no success in calling Erasmus to account and demand he shows more respect, Rennie may have to also get creative with his teams.
“It sets up an intriguing narrative ahead of the third test in Soweto next weekend.”
