What The All Blacks Need To Do

While studying the playbook of detailed strategies and tactics compiled by their coaches and analysts ahead of their semi-final against South Africa, the All Black players will focus on a few crucial areas of the game most likely to prove the difference between winning and losing.

*     Imposing their high tempo, slick skills, quick-thinking, wide-ranging  game on the Springboks, whose game is based around outmuscling opponents by running into contact and winning collisions.

*     Playing with the physical intensity to match the Boks ferocious power onslaught.

*     Breakdown efficiency – quick recycling is essential.

*     Beating the Boks defensive linespeed and gang tackles with quick hands, accurate handling, off-loading, plus numbers and clever angles in support.

*     Counter-attacking exploitation from wayward tactical kicking for position – a Bok weakness through the tournament.

*     Exploiting the Springboks vulnerability under the high ball.

*     Stable scrummaging and securing their own lineout ball. Is loosehead a weakness now that Tony Woodcock is injured?

*     Absolutely vital: defending the lineout driving maul – perhaps the least convincing aspect of New Zealand’s whole game. In the first place, not conceding penalties from where the Springboks can kick out neat the corner would help. 

Of all these, controlling the tempo of the game and stretching the game wide are most important to the All Blacks success.

The contrasting styles of New Zealand and South Africa are polar opposites, and it is the accuracy of execution of the game plans that will carry the day.