All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson admits that Saturday’s clash against the Springboks at Eden Park is the most significant Test of his reign.
As Robertson addressed a large gathering of media at his team’s Auckland hotel early this afternoon, there was no minimising the importance of the clash against the world champions at a place where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.
Is this the most important week of your tenure?
“Yeah,” Robertson replied. “I think that [the numbers at] this press conference covers that off. [Number] one plays two. The world – all eyes are watching. It’s exciting for us as a country. We’ve got a record that we’re really proud of and to play for.
“Every team has an opportunity to add to it and it’s ours this week.”
In a wide-ranging press conference which revealed the inclusion of midfielder/wing Leicester Fainga’anuku following the arm injury to Timoci Tavatavanawai – a potentially significant addition – Robertson was also asked whether a fear of losing played a part in the All Blacks’ build-up.
Again, there was no attempt by Robertson to dodge the question or New Zealand’s record at Eden Park – an unbeaten run that now stands at 50 Tests.
“That’s natural… there’s a lot of power in fear as well – it gets your body ready for survival,” he said. “It’s the most human thing you can do - to protect something. Of course there’s a fear element.”
It goes without saying that there is pressure, too: “There’s always pressure. It’s part of the job. There’s a lot of power in that pressure. There’s a lot of focus that can come from it.
“I’m human. There are plenty of mind games and future thinking that goes on… I draw on my experience of coaching over the years and what’s really important [and] what wins games. My job is to set this team up to perform on Saturday night.”
As Robertson said, neither the All Blacks, who still find themselves as the No.1 team in the world on the rankings despite losing their last Test to Argentina in Buenos Aires, nor the second-ranked Boks are in particularly good form.
South Africa rallied from their collapse to the Wallabies in Johannesburg to win the re-match in Cape Town last weekend and questions remain about how good this Boks team is under Rassie Erasmus, one of the wiliest coaches in the international game.
Those questions will probably not extend to the visitors’ tactics on Saturday, though.
The Boks have flirted with a more expansive game plan under assistant coach Tony Brown, a former All Black, but have reverted to type and their traditional forward-oriented strengths.
No prizes either for suggesting a high-ball barrage awaits an All Blacks team that has struggled in this area in all five Tests this year.
“They’ve chanced their hand and then go back to their DNA,” Robertson said.
“It (looks to the ceiling) is coming. It’s all part of it… rugby is a game of strengths – they’ve got theirs and we’re got ours. Different styles… we’ll play and back our skills and they’ll back their skills as well which has got them a lot of trophies.”
The inclusion to the squad of Fainga’anuku – who arrived in Auckland last night – was not mentioned in an All Blacks’ press release this morning which updated the team’s injury list.
The Tasman player, back from two seasons in France, would have required sign-off from the New Zealand Rugby board before officially joining the team but is far more likely to be involved this weekend – or the next one in Wellington – than Tavatavanawai due to his experience and quality.
There is no doubt that the biggest selection intrigue will centre on Robertson’s centre and wing selections, with Billy Proctor, Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece in the spotlight.
The fitness of halfback Cortez Ratima, who fractured a rib last weekend but has stayed with the squad in the hope he will recover in time, is another focus, as the All Blacks could potentially have the uncapped Kyle Preston playing back-up to Finlay Christie. Waikato's Xavier Roe has been called in as cover.
The release of wing Caleb Clarke for Auckland this weekend means he is not in the mix, but Emoni Narawa, who performed well for Bay of Plenty last Friday, may be, and Fainga’anuku should be, too, for his ability to play in the midfield or on the wing. He would also strike as an ideal potential impact player.
“Everyone’s eligible to get picked – that’s why they’re here,” Robertson said. “The good thing about Leicester is he can play multiple positions.”
When asked about the scrutiny on some of his backs and the balance of form, experience and selection consistency, he said: "Loyalty is a big part of who I am – faith and trust in people. But you’ve just got to perform, it doesn’t matter what position it is or who you are. We talk about team first and team black… it’s a balance. I’m aware of everyone’s form. It’s a conversation to make sure people are kept accountable.”
Robertson said, if he was in any doubt about the magnitude of this Test, he just needed to go for a walk and someone would remind him of it.
The same probably applies to the importance of discipline after three yellow cards in last week’s loss to the Pumas.
“We acknowledge that our individual self-control is critical. It can swing Test matches. We’ve all got to be better there.”
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