The All Blacks imposed a rigid blackout of their morning training session on the third day of their stay in Durban in preparation for the upcoming Tri-Nations rugby Test against the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.
After a brief spell of loosening-up exercises, the media were ordered, along with anyone else, to leave the training ground at the Durban High School Old Boys Club in Durban North until the end of the practice session.
As a precaution, the gates to the ground were closed and guarded by an official, and reports indicate that the same procedure will prevail on Wednesday morning ahead of the squad announcement at their Umhlanga hotel later in the day.
At the end of the session on Tuesday, the media were granted interviews with lock James Ryan and fullback Leon McDonald. Neither was prepared to divulge any snippets of news relating to the likely tactics to be used by the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday, saying the coaches and manager have a plan to counter any contingencies that may arise.
Ryan was asked what he thinks of the Springbok lineout ploys against the Wallabies.
He said: ”Their lineouts are outstanding. They have four men right forming across the pack. That makes it terribly hard as they have good speed and great reach.
”It is something we have to watch, especially on our own ball, as they are skilful poachers. You just have got to be focused and on top of your game.
”Generally, they are great in the scrum, and in the maul situation you have to be very careful and position yourself so that you do not get caught in a technically wrong situation; you can land in big trouble.”
He said that the layoff for the All Blacks for the past three weeks after the Lions series was more of a mental challenge than anything else. He did acknowledge that the Boks have the edge because of their three Tests against the Wallabies, as he believes that match practice is invaluable in any period of preparation.
Leon MacDonald said most of the players are no strangers to South African conditions because of Super 12 involvement. So, the question of practising in Durban for a match in Cape Town really does not make a difference.
”It’s all a matter of adaptation on the day,” he declared.
He did concede that the Springboks of 2005 are vastly improved from those of 2004 when they emerged as Tri-Nations champions.
He said they have taken a step forward, especially among the backs, they are using the ball much better and they have a backline that is far more confident and scoring many more tries.
He cited fullback Percy Montgomery as an inspiration by bringing experience and skill into the style of Springbok play with great support from the likes of pacy wing Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers at centre.
He said that on defence the All Blacks are aware that they cannot make any mistakes with turnover ball, because if they do they will be punished in the tries-against column.
MacDonald said: ”We have to step up from the Lions series. We would only be fooling ourselves if we did not do that. The Lions were not as good a side as we had expected.”
He reminded the media contingent that in all his visits to this country he has never had an easy game in South Africa at any level, such is the competitive nature of the Springboks.
And therein lies the crux of the Newlands match. The All Blacks are certainly not taking this game as just an ordinary Test. They are here to demolish Jake White’s men — if they can. — Sapa