Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

What it will take for the All Blacks to 'starve the Springboks'

Shannon Frizell runs through drills during a New Zealand All Blacks training session at Mt Smart Stadium on June 30, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Rugby World Cup final is upon us and the pundits’ predictions are incredibly tight. Neutral heads are relatively evenly split while of course, the two competing nations are backing their respective teams to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time. History is inevitable in Paris.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Springboks’ world-renowned forward pack will come up against a much improved All Blacks unit in the final, and neither side is underestimating the criticality of the contest up front.

It was the set piece that put the Springboks so comfortably in the driver’s seat the last time the two met, a comprehensive and historic 35-7 victory for the reigning world champions.

Video Spacer

WATCH as the All Blacks talk about ‘taking the gas out’ of the Boks bomb squad

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      WATCH as the All Blacks talk about ‘taking the gas out’ of the Boks bomb squad

      Winning a scrum penalty in the opening minute, the Springboks entered the All Blacks’ 22 and held them there for 20 gruelling minutes, winning numerous penalties and eventually leaving the red zone with seven points and a two-man advantage.

      That fixture was two months ago, a long time in international rugby, especially in the Rugby World Cup. Exactly how much has changed in that two-month period will be exposed in what promises to be a blockbuster final for the ages.

      “I think the All Blacks win,” James Parsons told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “And where? I think it’ll be their defence, but more importantly their discipline.

      “I think we know both sides are going to go hard at each other in the collision areas and I think that’ll be an arm-wrestle for the whole 80 (minutes).

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “But, I just think seven penalties on the weekend, they seem to be getting less and less each week. So, I think that discipline will hopefully starve the Springboks of any opportunities to go into the 22 for a maul or chipping away with three points.”

      Team Form

      Last 5 Games

      4
      Wins
      4
      1
      Streak
      4
      20
      Tries Scored
      25
      74
      Points Difference
      99
      3/5
      First Try
      4/5
      0/5
      First Points
      4/5
      4/5
      Race To 10 Points
      4/5

      The improvement in discipline has been stark and played an unmistakable role in New Zealand’s quarter-final win over an Ireland side that had overcome South Africa in the pool stages.

      Ireland’s discipline was a tremendous strength entering the tournament, and it was a huge vulnerability for the All Blacks. New Zealand turned that on its head in the first round of the knockout stages.

      “Well, the (All Blacks) were the most penalised team and they’ve come into the knockout stages and been very, very clinical around their discipline defensively and it’s been the difference for them so far.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “A clear, dominant difference in the semi-final. I just think both these sides are so evenly matched across the board and they have their strengths and weaknesses so it’s just how many opportunities you are going to give the opposition that will decide this game.”

      Related

      Parsons’ analysis was echoed by his co-panelist, Bryn Hall. The former Super Rugby champion was equally as adamant that discipline would determine the game and also highlighted the importance of matching the Springboks’ imposing bench unit.

      “The only thing that will get us in trouble is our discipline,” Hall said.

      “We’ve lost Test matches, especially early on, if we give four or five penalties away and they have that scoreboard pressure, being able to tick away, whether that’s (Handre) Pollard or (Manie) Libbok in there, getting the three points, six points and being able to build pressure.

      “I think that’s when we feel like we’re under a bit of pressure but we’ve got our discipline right, it seems, in this knockout stage. But, there’ll be plenty of those what-if moments if they don’t get it right.

      “Being able to stop that bomb squad in that last 30 minutes will be massive as well. If the game’s close, we’ve shown enough with our bench coming on that we can nullify that, and being able to stop them and try and win set piece penalties or build scoreboard pressure or getting into that 22m zone and go to that lineout maul or building with their forward pack.

      “I feel if we get those things right, it’d be a good result for us.”

      ADVERTISEMENT

      South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

      Argentina vs Australia | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

      Saitama Wildknights vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

      The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

      Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

      Perry Baker in the house | HSBC Life on Tour | Los Angeles

      Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      33 Comments
      G
      GailPaste 566 days ago

      Springbok fans are some of the most opinionated crybabies going around. Anytime they're beaten, it's the refs fault or someone was cheating or that girl stole my lunch money, which made my team crumble. I don't fully blame them for this mindset as their coach sets a very very poor example. Listen, sometimes the Springboks lose, and sometimes the All Blacks do too. That's sport people. The refs don't have an agenda. If you think they do, it says more about you or your society. The issue is, and I’m going to address the elephant in the room now, saffas egos can't handle the fact that a better rugby team exists outside SA. The AB’s even hold an advantage over them at a number of their own grounds. And it kills them! Don't pretend it doesn't. Saffas, it's just a game! Try to enjoy the occasion, and stop with all the excuses and elocution lessons. Nobody likes a smart arse. Let's hope for an amazing final whatever the outcome. Go the Wallabies!!!

      P
      Peter 566 days ago

      The current Wallabies team are the worst ever, as evidenced by their calamitous early exit. All Blacks are to the most successful rugby team with the highest winning percentage. Much respect to them, but also much respect to the Springboks. May the best team on the day win and re-write the history books

      F
      Flankly 567 days ago

      “What it will take for the All Blacks to 'starve the Springboks'“


      That's easy: 1/ cynical breakdown play to stop SA getting fast ruck ball, and 2/ cynical breakdown play to stop SA from getting ruck turnovers.


      SA will be hoping for very strict application of the laws.

      S
      SC 566 days ago

      Honestly, if the ref calls it, it’ll stop. But if he doesn't, it's your own fault if you don't give it a crack.

      j
      johnz 567 days ago

      Get those cheating excuses in early.

      O
      Ol'Misty 567 days ago

      Oh you mean like time wasting because SA aren’t fit enough to foot it with the AB’s?


      No, all the AB’s will do is keep possession and run SA in anaerobic oblivion. What they’ll be starved of is oxygen. And ball 😁

      W
      Wal 567 days ago

      Please let’s speak the King’s English not that Pidgin stuff the Yanks drawl. Penalties can be counted so it is impossible to have less penalties. Fewer penalties, please!!

      Barnes is no friend of the All Blacks. One-third of his All Blacks matches result in the Kiwis coming second. He does not like anyone outside the 6N but he reserves special dislike for the Kiwis.

      This RWC will go down in history for all the time-wasting by England, their Celtic colonies and the Bokke. Why don’t they get fit??? Sexton and Farrell could barely walk in the second half of their final meltdowns.

      The French will be right behind the Kiwis as they are the only team in the finals attempting to play any rugby. I met a Frenchman in Qibao Carrefoures, (Shanghai), once and he explained to me that the French love the Kiwis, “Because they play like us”.

      4
      4WCC 567 days ago

      haha… all of that from meeting one frenchmen in a far far away land… Lets hope for your sake that he is in the crowds on Saturday. I will try listen out for him… haha

      F
      Flankly 567 days ago

      A lot will turn on whether or not Barnes allows the usual NZ breakdown obstruction.

      O
      Ol'Misty 567 days ago

      Grow up.

      B
      BMac 567 days ago

      The Referee to stop all the time wasting delibrate ploy from South African water carriers and medics running on every scrum…its getting a joke

      J
      Jacque 567 days ago

      & when Ireland did it? Where were you then?

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      S
      Solenn Bonnet 1 day ago
      Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

      My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

      CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

      EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

      WhatsApp.. +15617263697

      website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

      Telegram.. +15617263697

      0 Go to comments
      TRENDING
      TRENDING Crusaders provide update on Will Jordan’s concerning knee injury Crusaders provide update on Will Jordan’s concerning knee injury
      Search