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‘Special and unique’: All Blacks won’t hold anything back against Springboks
By Finn Morton
The All Blacks will charge into battle with “all guns blazing” on Friday night when they take on fierce rivals South Africa in their final Test before the Rugby World Cup.
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While there are only about two weeks to go until the tournament opener between hosts France and New Zealand, the All Blacks aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
They still have 80 minutes of Test rugby to play, and it’s a “pretty special” and “unique” challenge. The All Blacks will look to keep their impressive unbeaten streak alive against South Africa in London.
“There’s been no chat about anything other than this week, to be honest,” captain Same Cane told reporters on Thursday.
“Another opportunity to put on the back jersey and I think it’s going to be a pretty special and unique occasion playing the Springboks at Twickenham, sold-out.
“The group’s pretty excited to be back, especially considering the starting group hasn’t actually played in a wee while now.
“Just to be able to get back out there and hopefully put on one that we can be proud of, it’s exciting.”
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New Zealand were sensational during the Rugby Championship, as they soared to champion status on the back of three big victories – one of those was against the Boks.
Playing at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, electric outside back Will Jordan put on a show as the men in black ran away with a hard-fought 35-20 win.
It was a statement from the All Blacks, and they’ve made a couple more since. New Zealand are 4-0 under coach Ian Foster this year.
The All Blacks are playing with plenty of confidence, and haven’t been afraid to show their hand with some brilliant attacking play and some bone-rattling hits on defence.
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Expect that to continue on Friday.
On the eve of their final warm-up Test, and with the World Cup nigh on the horizon, captain Cane insisted that the All Blacks won’t hold anything back.
“No thought or talk of holding anything back,” Cane added.
“If you’re going into games with that mentality when the margins are so small, five per cent can be the difference between a win or a loss.
“You go in all guns blazing and give it everything.”
The All Blacks are now the bookmakers’ favourites to hoist the Webb Ellis Cup at the end of October.
