All Blacks’ legendary coach Sir Steve Hansen has issued a warning to Springboks supporters, who are evidently enjoying their time as the best team in the world.
The 67-year-old admitted that he has been enjoying the South Africans’ confidence, but noted that it can change at any point.
Rassie Erasmus has built a dynasty with this Boks side, claiming back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles and keeping them at the top of the rankings for the majority of the past three years.
At the moment, they are currently favourites to achieve a unique three-peat at next year’s global tournament in Australia.
Previous All Blacks domination
As a result, their fans are revelling in their success after the All Blacks dominated the sport prior to that.
On the Rugby Unity podcast, host David Pembroke read out a letter from a fan who confidently stated what the difference is between South Africa and New Zealand at the moment.
“There is a clear understanding in the Springboks coaching squad; there is a certain way in which they deal with problems, and there is a certain way they conduct themselves about selection and what they need from each and every individual,” it read.
“They don’t just select their best players; they select players according to what that certain position requires. They give every player the blueprint and the opportunity to go back and study that blueprint.
“Whereas the All Blacks just pick anyone who can score, offload and run into space. There is a lot of confusion on who plays where, what’s their role in the team.
“That’s where the real difference is between the teams. Scrums and all of that is just the icing on the cake.”
Pembroke duly gave Hansen the opportunity to respond, but he initially kept it short and sweet
“I think it’s great, just keep watching this space and we’ll see what happens,” the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning head coach said with a wry smile.
Former Wallabies boss Ewen McKenzie, who joined Hansen on the show, chimed in and disagreed with the fan’s view of the All Blacks.
“I think there’s a fair bit of tradition which would suggest otherwise. And a fair bit of passion which goes with the opportunity to represent the All Blacks, which would suggest otherwise,” McKenzie said.
“I do agree with his comments about the formula-driven approach to the South African side in terms of the positional requirements and whatever.
“I don’t think it’s as simple as giving them a manual and saying: ‘There’s the tighthead prop manual, go away and learn that, and that’s what you’re going to do’.
“We know from our conversations that they have a method and a 90 per cent format that goes week to week, and then they’ve got their 10 per cent variations.
“In that sense, he’s correct, but the rest of it I don’t subscribe to.”
‘A fan’s theory is never tested’
Hansen then expanded on his original comment, insisting that the passion of the fans is “great” for the sport, but claimed that they can forget what happened in the past.
“I think it’s a great example of the passion of the fans and, regardless of who they support, where they take themselves,” he added.
“Passionate fans, I find, have got very short memories and they forget that those people we were picking off the street used to beat South Africa every time we used to play them a few years ago.
“Right now, he doesn’t care about that, he just cares that they’re winning right now and that’s great, and I support him wholeheartedly.
“That’s what makes rugby such a lovely thing, which is the fans. They get stuck in and they come up with all these theories, but the thing about a fan’s theory is it’s never tested.
“You don’t have to test it, so you can say whatever you like.”
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