Murray Mexted warns All Blacks of what they can expect in the ‘most competitive environment’
All Blacks players in action during the Nations Championship and ex-New Zealand number eight Murray Mexted (inset).
Legendary New Zealand number eight Murray Mexted has warned the current All Blacks squad of the challenges that they can expect while touring South Africa.
The All Blacks kicked off their Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa with a hard-fought 38-21 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town last Friday.
New Zealand will still take on South Africa‘s three other United Rugby Championship sides – the Sharks, Bulls and Lions – ahead of three clashes with the Springboks in Johannesburg (twice) and Cape Town, before Baltimore in the USA hosts the fourth and final Test on September 12.
A tough tour awaits
And on the eve of their second tour match against the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday, Mexted warned those All Blacks who are unfamiliar with the rigours of playing in South Africa that they can expect a wake-up call over the next few weeks.
“They are fanatical, quite different from New Zealand,” Mexted told Radio New Zealand.
Mexted is no stranger to South Africa as he spent two seasons there playing for Natal, who are now known as the Sharks.
This, after the 34-Test All Black played for his country against the Springboks in the three-Test series in New Zealand in 1981 and he was also part of the rebel Cavaliers side that toured South Africa in 1986.
Although he played in South Africa in a bygone era, Mexted believes those players in the All Blacks squad who are on their first tour to that country will soon discover how intense the rugby environment over there can be.
Mexted revealed that a mutual respect exists between New Zealand and South Africa.
“We’re probably the only ones they do respect. They have disregard for everyone else,” said the 72-year-old.
‘They like us as well’
“Sometimes I wonder if we can live up to the reputation we have in South Africa. We are revered in that country as rugby players. They like us as well, believe it or not.”
Mexted believes all six of the All Blacks’ remaining matches in South Africa will be tough, particularly the three Tests, while he expects the same when they head over to Baltimore for the final showdown.
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The Springboks are the current world champions and the top-ranked team in World Rugby’s official rankings list, while the All Blacks occupy second spot, and Mexted said he would be happy if the four-Test series finishes in a 2-2 draw.
“It is the most competitive environment you can go to as a rugby player,” he said.
“There isn’t any rugby team in the world that could go on this tour and win every game. This is the hardest place to go and tour.”
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