New Zealand assistant coach Tana Umaga says improving the All Blacks’ defence is a priority before Saturday’s opening Test against the world champion Springboks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Umaga acknowledged on Wednesday that New Zealand still have work to do defensively, despite conceding only six tries in their first three matches on tour. The All Blacks have scored 22 tries during that sequence, but Umaga warned that their defensive record does not tell the complete story.
“We’re happy with where we are, but we’re not content,” Umaga said.
The former All Blacks captain, who won 74 New Zealand caps, said some aspects of the team’s defence had fallen slightly below the standards they showed against France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship in July.
New Zealand beat France 34-32, Italy 47-17 and Ireland 40-21 in those matches. Umaga believes the shortcomings can be addressed before the team face South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday.
A major part of that challenge will be coping with the Springboks’ powerful pack. Umaga expects South Africa’s forwards to apply sustained pressure throughout the match.
“The size of their pack and just their relentless wave,” he said, will provide a significant test for the All Blacks.
However, Umaga stressed that New Zealand cannot concentrate exclusively on South Africa’s forward strength. The Springboks can also move the ball into wider areas of the field, creating a second threat that will demand equal attention.
To deal with both aspects of South Africa’s game, Umaga said the All Blacks will need to maintain discipline and concentration for the full 80 minutes. The defensive challenge will therefore involve more than simply matching the Springboks’ physicality at close quarters.
The New Zealand coach also rejected the idea that his side’s greater amount of recent match practice gives them a decisive advantage. The All Blacks have played three tour games, while South Africa have had only one Test, against Argentina.
“I don’t think there’s much advantage in us having more games,” Umaga said.
He pointed instead to the Springboks’ settled squad and the experience their players have gained from spending years together as a group. In his view, that familiarity can offset New Zealand’s additional preparation through competitive matches.
Umaga expects the two teams to arrive at the Ellis Park contest on broadly even terms. Any advantage either side possesses, he suggested, will ultimately have to be established once the match begins.
The Test is the first meeting in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, with the All Blacks facing a demanding examination of their defensive progress against the reigning world champions.
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