All Blacks get double boost to beat the noise

Two key players for New Zealand are back on board for what has been billed as the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider between the All Blacks and Springboks on Saturday, reports DEVIN HERMANUS. albergomalica.it

Speaking pitchside at Athlone’s City Park on Tuesday, assistant coach Tamati Ellison confirmed loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord have been training ahead of this week’s clash in Johannesburg.

De Groot and Lord missed last week’s 33-26 defeat at Cape Town Stadium, due to HIA protocols, and will come into the selection mix with the series tied 1-1.

“Yeah, they’ve both trained well today, so it’s good to have more bodies on board versus sending them home,” said Ellison, referencing the five Kiwi players ruled out for the remainder of the tour.

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Ellison addressed the mood in the camp and how the group is staying relaxed for the must-win challenge up north.

“It’s the first week in a while we haven’t had a midweek game, so there’s plenty of energy at training … I’m sure when we arrive at the stadium it’ll definitely feel like a decider,” he said.

“We’re very blessed with [mental performance coach] Gilbert Enoka. He’s seen a few Test matches, as have a lot of our leaders … You build the week the way you want it.”

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With the Calabash set for an 84,000-plus crowd, Ellison was asked about communicating amid the cacophony.

“You’ve just got to get closer. But a lot of it is non-verbal signalling as well, making sure there are 15 players ready to attack, so people are in the right positions and trusting they’ll be where they need to be,” he said.

“In specific areas – lineout calling, play calling – it makes sense to get that message delivered and getting closer … There’s plenty of noise, alright.

“But it’s like anything; same at home when you’ve got six children, you can’t hear yourself think! Sometimes you’ve just got to get a wee bit closer and simplify the message.”

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On his progress alongside fellow former All Black and defence coach Tana Umaga, Ellison was measured.

“We’re getting there. The start wasn’t ideal, but there’s been a lot of instances where we’ve defended them well in the middle of the field and turned them to their kicking game … having the skill sets to deal with the kicking game will be important.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has challenged emerging youngsters to build on their promising starts after Mpho Padime and Simphiwe Masilela impressed when given their opportunity.

The Buccaneers will look to secure their third consecutive victory in the Betway Premiership when they take on Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Pirates head into this fixture sitting in top spot in the league, level on 10 points with second placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

Abdeslam Ouaddou has challenged Orlando Pirates’ emerging youngsters to build on their promising starts after Mpho Padime and Masilela impressed when given their opportunity.

Ouaddou believes the club will continue to create pathways for young talent, but stressed that the players must remain humble, dedicated and professional if they are to establish themselves at the highest level.

“Not only him (Mpho Padime}, I think we can include Masilela in the talk. Well, done to both of them. I think Pirates is a club that is giving chances to the young. It’s not the first time, and we continue the process. They did very well, we saw they have great potential,” said Ouaddou.

“Now, they must keep on working, they must keep on being humble, listening to be coachable. It’s only the first game. A career is a minimum of 10 years. When I have an opportunity to give them game time, definitely I will give them.

“But they must still work and be very professional because in football you can go high quickly, but you can fall quickly as well.

“Well done, keep working. Be careful about your life. You have to be professional. Think football, you train, you go home, you rest. You eat good, you drink water and not something else. Don’t smoke, don’t take things that can destroy your body,” he concluded.

The post Ouaddou Challenges Padime & Masilela to Build on Promising Starts appeared first on SportsClub.

Victor Matfield says Bok lock Eben Etzebeth showed against the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium why he is South Africa’s GOAT.

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The world champions levelled the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 33-26 win last Saturday, with their lineout proving a big weapon.

Three attacking throw-ins by the All Blacks were spoiled by Etzebeth, who made one steal. The Boks’ first two tries came from powerful lineout mauls, with Etzebeth winning five lineouts on their own throw in the match.

“At lineout time he was outstanding,” Matfield said on the Rugby Rivals podcast.

“He was also under pressure in South Africa – ‘he hasn’t played a lot, he’s not in great form’ – but he stood out.

“At lineout time he was fantastic. His work rate was just unbelievable, and that’s the Eben we know.

“For me, it was important that our most experienced player, in a week like this where there was a lot of pressure, stood up,” the former Bok lock added.

“He just showed why he’s probably the best Springbok of all time.”

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Matfield, regarded as one of the greatest lineout exponents of all time, also explained how the Boks put pressure on the All Blacks’ throw.

“When you go into playing the Springboks, in the last few years you know they cover up the middle and the back of the lineout.

“We knew in our era, when you play the All Blacks and they get to the 22, just inside the 22, attacking, they almost try and force that ball.

“So the Springboks went for it. I think there’s only one ball and they haven’t thrown it once – it’s in between the two pods, the throw-jump where the hooker throws first and the guy goes straight up.

“All of their stuff was dummies and that gave Eben and Ruan [Nortjé] chances to move. Ruan just covered the back, Eben played around – is he kind of in the middle or a little bit at the back? – and that caught them.

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“If you want that back ball, you need to walk in and you need to hit it immediately. Otherwise, that front ball is on the whole day and [you can] work something out from that front ball. The one try came off the front ball.

“These days the scrumhalf’s pass is so good. If you get good ball in the front, good delivery to nine and he throws it 15, 20m, then you’re in the game.”

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Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images

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