All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen says his side will need courage, precision and adaptability to overcome the Springboks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship blockbuster at Eden Park.
The New Zealanders were put through their paces in Auckland on Tuesday, as they look to devise a plan that’ll sink the four-time world champions.
“We know what they’re about. They’re direct, they’re physical and they go to the air. So, we know what’s coming,” Hansen told the media in Auckland.
“Our fighting style is different. We want to manipulate differently. So, it’s how we can control and adjust during the Test. The All Blacks are at their best when our attack is being decisive and we’re earning opportunities through our defence. So, we have to be courageous.”
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The Boks’ trademark rush defence has been a hot topic after Australia found gaps at Ellis Park earlier in the campaign. Hansen acknowledged that the Boks’ pressure game is both a threat and an opening.
“Yeah, I think so. And every team looking at South Africa will see there’s opportunities. Where they’re world class is they look like they’re there, then all of a sudden they’re not. So, it’s again how we adjust to it. We’ve got our planning and prep around opportunities we feel that will be there, but also understanding the adjustments that we feel they will make also.”
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The All Blacks are coming off a loss against Argentina in Buenos Aires which has ramped up the pressure on coach Scott Robertson. Hansen knows the stakes couldn’t be higher with the world champions arriving at fortress Eden Park, where New Zealand have not lost in 50 Tests.
“Yeah, the occasion’s a good one to look forward to. There’s intensity there. It’s a massive opportunity for us this week – the world champions at home at Eden Park. So we’re really looking forward to the challenge. It’s a good challenge to have off the back of a performance that was below where we wanted it to be, to have to step into the ring with the world champions with the Eden Park record on the line.”
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Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
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