men’s rugby
global test matches
The All Blacks have no intention of retreating into a defensive shell at FNB Stadium during this weekend’s critical third Test of the Greatest Rivalry series; rather, they are set to reinforce head coach Dave Rennie’s positive and expansive tactical approach.
New Zealand lost their lead in the four-match series following a 33-26 setback against the Springboks in Cape Town last weekend, having previously claimed the opening Test in Johannesburg with a dominant 33-16 victory.
As they return to the high-altitude environment of Soweto, the New Zealanders are looking to bounce back from their inaugural defeat under Rennie’s leadership with a display that validates their strategic direction before the final test in Baltimore and the upcoming Rugby World Cup next October.
Addressing reporters following an All Blacks practice session on Tuesday morning, assistant coach Tamati Ellison was resolute when questioned about sticking to their tactical vision and keeping up the high pace in the third encounter.
“I believe that is the core of it; it aligns perfectly with how Rens coaches,” he answered. “We have witnessed that positive intent in our play, our capacity to express ourselves on the field, and the intense effort required to get into position and exploit those openings. We aren’t moving away from that. We are going to reinforce those principles this week and aim to capitalize on more of those chances.”
South Africa
New Zealand
This final aspect was a primary focus for the coaching staff. At DHL Stadium, the New Zealanders demonstrated their capacity to shift the ball to the flanks, though they struggled to regularly break through the defensive line once there, even while evading 40 Springbok tackles during the match.
“We created numerous opportunities and managed to score more tries than our opponents, yet we feel like we missed out on several scoring chances,” Ellison noted.
“The squad has put in some great training sessions; it’s the first time in several weeks without a midweek fixture, which brought a lot of vitality to the field. We will continue building momentum throughout the week, and by the time we reach the ground, the atmosphere will undoubtedly resemble a final.”
The objective for this weekend is straightforward: secure a victory, and the silverware is nearly yours. This concept carries a unique twist in this particular series, where the trophy is literally divided down the middle if the series ends in a tie.
Ellison, brought into the All Blacks setup specifically for this tour to assist in overseeing the larger squad, formerly served as the side’s defensive coordinator under Scott Robertson. Reviewing their play without the ball, the ex-All Black conceded that there are areas requiring improvement.
“We are making progress, though our opening periods were certainly not perfect. There were several moments where we successfully contained them in midfield and forced them into a kicking strategy. It is crucial to build on those elements while ensuring we have the technical skills to handle their tactical kicking.”
