John Hart on All Blacks’ rivalry with South Africa
Morning Report
Winning a test series in South Africa remains one of rugby’s toughest assignments, and former All Blacks coach John Hart believes the current side faces a huge challenge to repeat the feat.
The All Blacks open the ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday morning, in the first of the non-test matches before the team takes on the Springboks.
They will play three tests in South Africa and one in the United States.
In 1996 Hart coached the side that became known as ‘The Incomparables’ to New Zealand’s only test series victory in South Africa.
With new coach Dave Rennie having had just three matches in charge, Hart is looking at the South African tour as an opportunity for him to develop his squad.
“I’d give them a chance,” Hart told Morning Report.
“I think it’s a big ask. My interest really is to see this team grow and in 18 months, watch what they do in the World Cup.
“I think this is a really important tour in terms of Dave Rennie developing his group that will ultimately challenge for the World Cup next year.
“But I do believe that they can win the series if our forwards are able to play the game in a way that combats and beats the Springboks. I think our backline has the skill to take us to a victory. So the first test will be awfully important in a four-test series, you want to get one up early.”
Sean Fitzpatrick celebrates the series clinching win against the Springboks, in Pretoria, in 1996.
© Photosport Ltd 1996 www.photosport.nz
In 1996 Hart’s side played three tests, winning the first in Durban 23-19, the second in Pretoria 33-26 before losing the third 32-22.
South Africa are the top ranked side in the world and have won the last two World Cups. Hart said they have “unbelievable depth” at the moment.
“The last three or four games, they’ve made 13, 12, 11 changes every game, and dominated. They are physically strong, our game is looking to be expansive, looking to play at speed, and utilising our skills.
“Their game is more about set-piece dominance and physical. So the difference is slight, but if we can get the game at the level and speed we want to play, then it’s going to be a very, very close series.”
Test series (NZ time):
23 August, 3am, 1st Test, Ellis Park Johannesburg
30 August, 3am, 2nd Test, DHL Stadium Cape Town
6 September, 3am, 3rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (Soweto)
13 September, 9am, 4th Test, M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, US