Pictures taken from Perplexity
Focus on Consistency and Intensity Ahead of Second Test. In front the Ellis Park Stadium spectators, the Springboks unleashed a shocking comeback that shook the rugby world on Saturday at a mesmerizing game, handily defeating the All Blacks 31-27.
The All Blacks, reeling from a close 27-31 defeat in their first Test against South Africa, are gearing up for a crucial second encounter this weekend in Cape Town. Despite the setback, New Zealand’s forwards coach, Jason Ryan, remains optimistic about the team’s ability to turn the tide and build on the positives from their initial outing.
The All Blacks faced intense competition at Ellis Park, where South Africa’s physical play and high-pressure tactics pushed the New Zealand team to its limits. Ryan acknowledged the increased intensity in collisions, set pieces, and tackles compared to earlier matches this year. “The collisions, set pieces, and tackles at Ellis Park were of a greater intensity than we’ve seen this year,” Ryan said. “We’re looking to build on that. The boys have recovered well.”
While the All Blacks started strongly, they struggled to maintain their performance in the final quarter, which contributed to their narrow defeat. Ryan noted that the team’s drop in intensity and lack of scoring in the final stages of the match were areas of concern. “We talked about that in our review. We didn’t finish at Ellis Park as well as we could have,” he said. “We are acknowledging it and will look to improve.”
Ryan emphasized the importance of consistency in preparation and performance. “We want to play some footy, and if all goes well, we’ll be able to do that again and keep our game going,” he said. “But we’re just looking to build consistency in our week and game. You can stand here and say, ‘We want to respond, and all that’. We should respond to every Test match. We’re challenging the group to be better as much as we can every day.”
Selection decisions are crucial as the team aims to balance maintaining squad consistency with providing opportunities for players to experience high-stakes matches. Ryan highlighted the role of newer players in adapting to the intensity of playing against world champions on their home turf. “Selection was about maintaining consistency in the squad and selection choices but also giving players an opportunity to experience the intensity involved in playing the world champions in their home country,” he explained.
Flanker Ethan Blackadder has stood out in recent Tests, according to Ryan. “One thing I know about Ethan is the bigger the contest, the better he goes,” Ryan said. “He’s shown good consistency in his game, had some big shifts, and has gone to the well in every Test. He’s given everything he’s got.”
The All Blacks also dealt with a disruption during their haka, when a jet aircraft flew overhead. Ryan mentioned that South Africa Rugby had apologized for the incident, which the All Blacks accepted. “In all honesty, you sometimes get a bit of chaos around that, but the South African players stood there and respected it as they always do,” Ryan said. “It’s probably the officials who need the upper cut.”
Despite the disappointment of the first Test, Blackadder expressed a positive outlook. “While we’re disappointed with the loss, it was a good game, and we’re looking forward to the second Test,” he said. “Our motivation is high to get it right for the second Test.”
Blackadder highlighted the team’s focus on addressing small margins and finishing strong. “It was evident we couldn’t quite close it out the way we wanted to, and that’s what we’re striving to do—finish the job,” he explained. “We need to nullify their play and be squeaky clean to prevent them from coming back.”
The All Blacks’ approach to the second Test will focus on building on the lessons learned from their first encounter with South Africa. By addressing their final-quarter performance and maintaining consistency, New Zealand aims to bounce back and secure a victory in Cape Town. As the team prepares for the high-stakes clash, both players and coaches are driven by the goal of improving their game and achieving a positive result.
For ongoing updates and detailed coverage of the All Blacks’ performance, stay tuned to our reports.