Sam Cane has provided insight into how Dave Rennie approached tackling South African teams in Super Rugby, which could factor into his selections during the Rugby\u2019s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) Series.<\/p>\n
The All Blacks head coach has already named his touring party that will arrive in batches ahead of the opening game against the Stormers in Cape Town, with Ardie Savea touching down 10 days ahead of the first Test match.<\/p>\n
Having worked with Rennie at the Chiefs, Cane has revealed how the current New Zealand coach used to select his teams and forwards in particular when facing off against South African sides. During his time in Australia, he enjoyed immense success against the Boks, winning three of his four encounters in charge of the Wallabies, and there is hope in Aotearoa that he will produce similar results with his home country.<\/p>\n
Tackling the Springboks low<\/p>\n
The former All Blacks<\/a> captain discussed how Rennie prepared his Chiefs\u2019 teams to face South African<\/a> teams when he joined former fly-half Stephen Donald and Sky Sports NZ presenter Kirstie Stanway-Thorne on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav Rugby\u2019s Greatest Rivalry<\/a> series.<\/p>\n \u201cI have never asked a forward this, but I used to think it\u2019s the greatest test of your manhood, and I was standing out there making two or three tackles,\u201d Donald said on facing the Boks.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it like the week leading in and even the morning after when you\u2019re in your position, and certainly the way you were playing, knowing that your body is about to be destroyed by men who are physically and naturally a bit bigger than us?\u201d<\/p>\n Cane<\/a> replied: \u201cWhen we used to play them in Super Rugby and Dave Renie was coaching the Chiefs, he used to often pick his team, particularly his forward pack, based on guys who were really effective chop tacklers because the thought was and that was over 10 years ago now, but like get the big men on the ground as quickly as possible, don\u2019t get caught in a wrestle, in a battle, up high because we are going to lose that.<\/p>\n \u201cGet them on the deck, get up off the ground quicker, and make them do that again and again and again. So, that has always sort of stuck with me because that was a strength of my game, being able to get guys on the ground quickly. So, I was trying to stick to what you\u2019re good at.<\/p>\n Ardie Savea has \u2018earned the right\u2019 to a break but All Blacks legend is wary Dave Rennie is making Sir Clive Woodward mistake<\/a><\/p>\n Victor Matfield\u2019s \u2018not a bad idea\u2019 verdict on Ma\u2019a Nonu\u2019s bombshell Sharks move<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t get caught up in trying to win a battle, or don\u2019t play into their hands by tackling up high and trying to be physical that way. The way to be physical is make sure you win the shoulder battle and get underneath them and get them on the ground as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n As the ex-All Blacks loose forward stated, those were selection ploys from 10 years ago but little has changed with the Springboks still leaning heavily into their power game and winning the gain-line battle.<\/p>\n It would be no surprise if he followed a similar selection policy for the four Tests against South Africa this year, with Luke Jacobson\u2019s rise under Rennie suggesting that could be the case. Cane praised his former Chiefs\u2019 teammate\u2019s ability in contact<\/a>, stating that no player in New Zealand hits harder than the loose forward.<\/p>\n All Blacks legend: Cheslin Kolbe is up there as \u2018one of the greatest players of all-time\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Playing at altitude<\/p>\n The All Blacks centurion added that while a lot of the commentary suggests that the Springboks get an advantage when playing at altitude, he does not believe that to be the case, with only a handful of players actually being used to playing on the highveld.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we\u2019re at altitude, there\u2019s almost this misconception that they thrive at altitude because they\u2019re used to it, but a lot of them aren\u2019t used to it,\u201d he explained.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThey still feel it just as much as you; there are only a couple of teams that are based at altitude. They are going to feel it just as much as us, and just back yourself and push yourself to get up and keep going. Often those games would open up in the last 15 or 10 minutes of the half because a little bit more fatigue is allowed to creep in due to that altitude.\u201d<\/p>\n The All Blacks will play four of their eight tour matches in South Africa at altitude, including the Tests at Ellis Park and FNB Stadium as well as the matches against the Bulls and Lions.<\/p>\n