All Blacks great makes bold claim about Springboks series despite 2-1 deficit
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Benefit.
Former All Blacks scrum-half Brad Weber believes New Zealand could ultimately benefit more than the Springboks from Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, despite trailing 2-1 heading into the final Test.
The Springboks moved ahead in the four-Test series with a 29-24 victory in Soweto, leaving the All Blacks needing to win the final encounter in Baltimore to level matters.
However, Weber believes the experience New Zealand are gaining during the tour could prove hugely valuable in the longer term.
Speaking on The Breakdown, the former All Black pointed to the number of players Dave Rennie has been able to expose to high-level rugby during the tour.
“Don’t you think this tour has been so beneficial to us? This has been so much more beneficial to us than it has been to the Springboks,” Weber said.
“We’ve got to blood so many new players, against the URC teams and then a few guys through this Test match period as well.”
Weber believes New Zealand now need time to build the combinations and experience already possessed by Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks.
“It takes time. If anything, the South Africans have done what we did back [in 2011 and 2015],” he added.
“That’s what the South Africans have built. It took a long time, and it’s going to take us time to get back to that level, but what we have to do is keep at it, trust Dave Rennie and trust the group he’s going to build around him.”
All Blacks centurion Mils Muliaina also highlighted South Africa’s experience, arguing that their familiarity with one another allows them to deal with pressure in a way New Zealand’s developing group is still learning.
“You’ve got to go through this pain,” Muliaina said.
“Those guys will be hurting right now; you’ve got to go through that pain.”
For now, however, the Springboks hold the upper hand.
Erasmus’ side head to Baltimore with a 2-1 advantage and the opportunity to secure the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, while New Zealand must win to ensure the four-Test contest finishes level.
