MIKE FINCH, Johannesburg | Saturday 11.20am.
ALL Blacks coach John Hart arrived with his team in Johannesburg on Saturday morning, wary of facing the wounded Sprinboks in a week’s time.
Having beaten both South Africa and Australia in their opening two Tri-Nations fixtures, Hart has every reason to feel confident of maintaining his winning streak. But he was anything but. “This is still a very young side that is relatively inexperienced internationally,” Hart said. “Hopefully they will be good enough in the Tri-Nations and the World Cup.
“The side is growing and I know that they will eventually be a very good rugby side.”
If Hart is playing a little psychological warfare with his opposite number, Nick Mallett, then fine. But if the All Black genuinely believes his side are only at the beginning of their development, then New Zealand rugby is in for a glorius few years.
As for the Boks, Hart expects the world champions to put up a bit more of a fight at Loftus Versveld on August 7.
“This looks like a far stronger squad,” Hart said of the sweeping changes made to the Bok line-up earlier this week. “We’ll definitely be up against a different side and one with much more experience.
“I’m confident they an regroup but whether there on track for the World Cup I can’t say.” — MWP