Aisle be Back: All Blacks v Springboks 1.0

• By Kevin McCarthy

It used to be said that most teams playing the All Blacks were beaten before they stepped on the turf, such was their reputation.

Certainly, the psychological did seem to be part of New Zealand’s secret sauce.

But it’s safe to say that is no longer the case, especially as top teams now face each other so often and there is so much uber analysis. Beaten by the All Blacks?  – don’t worry, next year is coming very soon, or for the Wallabies, next weekend.

The new holders of the intimidation crown surely now are the Springboks. And man, do they talk about it.

The common narrative is that Rassie Erasmus is a coaching super genius, that his team is built to bully any other side – especially with the famed Bomb Squad tactic – and not only that, they’re now unleashing their newly-found attacking prowess.

That’s why people will say wisely that South Africa are just so much more physical, and that for the All Blacks to get in an arm wrestle will be a quick way to lose. I mean, just look at the size of their big men, who wouldn’t be worried.

So how much of a weight advantage do the Boks have heading into the first test in Joburg on Sunday.  At a guess, 30 or 40 kg?

Well, based on a bit of googling and bearing in mind weights will bob around a bit, the actual difference is TWO kilos across the full eight (926 v 924)

A massive, decisive edge I am sure you will agree.

OK, surely their front row, with a guy named Ox, must be a weapon. Well actually it’s the Bok front row which yields on the weight front – at 361kg, to the All Blacks 379kg, a difference of 18 kilos.

Now size is not everything, otherwise Ardie Savea – who doesn’t even crack the 100 kg mark – would never have been world player of the year.

But why wouldn’t the All Blacks go for the arm wrestle approach. Why wouldn’t they back themselves to out-scrum South Africa. To not only match but overcome the Bok pack. Because surely, they have the physical attributes to do so.

Of course, you can argue that that approach is a waste of a perceived skills edge in the backs (although some days you wonder about that). Yet trying to win with backline wizardry while getting smashed up front is always a disaster for the All Blacks.

And don’t come throwing the bomb squad at me. The All Blacks have five forwards on the bench (including of course a complete front row), the Boks have six. Not a world apart, come on.

The recipe to playing South Africa in South Africa doesn’t really change. Yield nothing, fight for every scrap.

And don’t buy into the mind games one bit.

I don’t know if the All Blacks can do that (realistically) once in the double header.

But that’s what every year makes these games the ones really worth getting up for.

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)

1.    Tamaiti Williams (9)
2.    Codie Taylor (89)
3.    Tyrel Lomax (36)
4.    Scott Barrett (72) (Captain)
5.    Tupou Vaa’i (30)
6.    Ethan Blackadder (13)
7.    Sam Cane (96)
8.    Ardie Savea (86) (Vice Captain)
9.    TJ Perenara (84)
10.  Damian McKenzie (52)
11.  Caleb Clarke (22)
12.  Jordie Barrett (62) (Vice Captain)
13.  Rieko Ioane (73)
14.  Will Jordan (33)
15.  Beauden Barrett (128)

16. Asafo Aumua (11)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (61)
18. Fletcher Newell (18)
19. Sam Darry (3)
20. Samipeni Finau (3)
21. Cortez Ratima (4)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (75)
23. Mark Tele’a (13)