Israel Dagg: All Blacks have a ‘genuine chance’ against the Springboks if Scott Robertson fixes two facets
Israel Dagg backs the All Blacks to topple the Springboks in South Africa but highlights where New Zealand have to improve.
Former All Blacks full-back Israel Dagg believes that Scott Robertson’s charges have a ‘genuine chance’ of beating the Springboks in South Africa.
New Zealand hammered Argentina 42-10 at Eden Park after a 38-30 loss the week before which sees them sit second overall on the Rugby Championship table ahead of their trip to South Africa.
The Springboks breezed past Australia in their opening two matches, collecting a maximum of 10 points from their two fixtures, setting up for what could be a deciding two Tests in the Republic.
While Rassie Erasmus’ side have been dominant so far in the tournament, Dagg believes that the All Blacks can topple South Africa if they improve and are able to match the Springboks in two crucial facets of the game.
“Wallabies created a lot of opportunities”
The full-back came to this conclusion after reviewing the two Test matches between the Wallabies and Springboks, particularly the clash in Perth.
Dagg was asked whether South Africa’s convincing victory over Australia with a largely changed side was an indication of the Springboks growing in power or a case that the Wallabies are simply not quite up to it.
“Both, the Wallabies were really competitive in atrocious conditions,” Dagg stated on SENZ radio.
“But when you cannot compete in the set-pieces it’s difficult – not even Mike Cron can change the fortunes there – and Australia just got mauled off the park.
“When you get a hooker, Malcolm Marx, scoring most of your tries, you understand what is happening out there.
“The Wallabies created a lot of opportunities, there were a lot of opportunities on the width and they did a couple of cross-field kicks and exposed the Springboks. But basically, it comes down to pressure and those critical moments and they weren’t able to repel the South African maul.
“South Africa looked very good and this sets up a big couple of weeks for the All Blacks as they head over to South Africa.”
“Very good” Springboks
The physicality and experience of the Springboks squad proved too much for the Wallabies with Joe Schmidt’s side attempting to run South Africa off the park – ultimately failing to do so.
Dagg feels that is not the way to defeat the Springboks and is confident that Robertson’s side can claim a win in South Africa but in order to do so, they have to front up to two of the Boks’ strengths.
“Australia have got a long way to go,” he added.
“I was listening to Joe Schmidt’s post-match conference talking about how they couldn’t compete physically so they tried to move the Boks around and spread the big bodies.
“But they had opportunities there but just weren’t able to build pressure and a whole lot of injuries too. Then South Africa went to the golden oldies towards the end, so Australia were never gonna have a chance.
“Honestly, I’ve got a little bit of confidence for the All Blacks in South Africa.
“I’m not getting ahead of myself, but if you can match them scrum-wise, which I thought the All Blacks were very good in against Argentina, and the lineout is a whole lot better – then we have a good chance.
“But you have to match them in those two facets to play, then you give yourself a genuine chance. But the Springboks are very good.”
While the All Blacks head to South Africa for Tests in Johannesburg and Pretoria, Australia travel to South America where they will tackle Los Pumas in back-to-back matches in Argentina.
Following their Tests in South Africa, the All Blacks will head Down Under for the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Australia before heading home for the return fixture at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
