Rivalry Test series, 'tougher than World Cup'

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with four Test matches between the All Blacks and Springboks in four weeks is tougher than winning a Rugby World Cup.

That’s All Blacks coach Dave Rennie’s view as his side prepares for the first Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Sunday morning (NZT).

Asked at a media conference on Monday if the series would be tougher than a World Cup, Rennie said it was a lot tougher.

“But it’s great, isn’t it? Both sides will be about a year out from the World Cup by the time we finish the series, so we’ll learn a lot while we’re here.”

He expects the South Africans will stick to what they’re good at in the series.

“You play to your strengths. They’ll see [the scrum] as a strength. I think our scrum will bar up.

“What they’ve [the Boks] have been good at is applying a lot of pressure. Back-to-back penalties, put you in a corner, and they’re the best in the world at turning that pressure into points down there.

“They lead a lot of key metrics against all the other teams in the world.

“Our discipline will be really important, our accuracy will be important, out set piece will be massive. But that’s exciting. We get an opportunity to measure up against the best in the world, so the boys are looking forward to it.”

Rennie confirmed that Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u is joining the side for the remainder of the tour as the replacement for Ollie Norris.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu said the All Blacks are aware of the increased intensity the Test series will ensure.

“Our coaches have been good in acknowledging that we’ve had three games against club sides here, but the Test match now awaits us.

“There’s a different intensity that comes with that.”

Tuipulotu said the All Blacks don’t feel like they are underdogs, playing on South African soil.

“It does feel like the two best teams are going head to head at the moment and trying to fight for that No1 spot. World Cups aside,nge.

“Having all 43 or 44 of us across the game plan and how we want to play has been big for us. There’s been some steady improvement. We know the Springboks are another step up from all of that.

“We’ve had a big two weeks and three games, and it’s been good. Everyone has had a chance to play and, as we start the Test series, it’s all hands on deck.

“Getting everyone’s focus zoned in for a Test match against the Springboks is important for us.”

And some of that concentration will be on achieving tighter discipline.

“You could be pinned down in the corner trying to stop them from getting a winning try.

“A lot of those come down to mental decisions in the last few minutes, when the game’s on the line. But certainly around set piece, being physical, intensity and staying on for 80-plus minutes.” This feels like a final for us.”

Taking on a world-dominating lock like Eben Etzebeth was where he wanted to be.

“You want to test yourself against the best. The Springbok pack is pretty renowned, [I’m] so excited and looking forward to that challenge.”