Scott Robertson: All Blacks changes to address inability to ‘finish the job’ against Springboks
Scott Robertson will turn to experienced duo TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett to 'finish the job' this weekend
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has explained the rationale behind dropping Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara from his starting XV, stating he wants experience to ‘finish the job’.Ā
The duo have started in all of New Zealand’s Rugby Championship matches so far, but this weekend have both been dropped down to the bench, with Cortez Ratima and Will Jordan occupying their old spots.
The bench was also major reason the All Blacks slipped to a 31-27 defeat to their arch-rivals South Africa last weekend, despite leading 27-17 heading into the final 15 minutes of the game.
“Finish the job for us”
Speaking to the media ahead of Test Two against the Springboks in Cape Town, Robertson said he wants the pair to ‘finish the job’ for his side.
“We’ve looked at it and realised it’s important to have experience at the end of games,” said Robertson. “It’s a great couple of names to put on there with a lot of Tests and a lot of experience, and they’ll come on and finish the job for us.”
The World Cup winners will add heaps of experience to the final stages of the game, boasting a combined 214 caps between them (Barrett 129, Perenara 85). Barrett also excelled in this role in the series whitewash over England, helping turn the tide late on in both Tests.
Robertson also detailed how he wanted to see what Cortez Ratima could do in the starting team.
“We wanted to look at Cortez starting, and it just worked out this way this week in that regard. We’re fortunate to have some quality players in the mix for us.”
Ratima made his first All Blacks start in the 47-5 victory over Fiji in San Diego, but this is a whole different challenge for the Chiefs scrum-half.
Injuries to Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke
Perenara and Barrett might be tactical changes to the side, but Robertson has also been forced into making two changes due to injury.
Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke have both picked up injuries in the week – with Blackadder picking up a hamstring injury and Clarke taking a knock to his back.
Commenting on the pair, Robertson said neither were serious injuries, but they still aren’t fit enough to play in Cape Town.
“They’re not major injuries, but definitely out for this Test. They’re minor injuries, but neither would have been able to play this weekend.”
Mark Tele’a has come into the vacant number 11 shirt in Clarke’s place, and āÆWallace Sititi will deputise for Blackadder in the back-row.
The Chiefs youngster made his All Blacks debut in the victory over Fiji, and also featured off the bench in their Rugby Championship defeat to Argentina, but he will be making his first start at Test level in Cape Town this weekend; but despite his lack of experience, Robertson believes ‘it’s his time’.
“He’s a hell of an athlete, and he’s built for these sort of games. He’s a great defender, he has a great skill-set and we’ve been impressed with him in the last month and we believe with Ethan’s injury it’s his time.”
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