Christchurch – Slim to zero, those are the chances of the Springboks pulling off a win against the All Blacks here at the AMI Stadium on Saturday.
Including Saturday’s stunning win against Argentina in Hamilton, the All Blacks are now undefeated in 43 Tests on home soil going back to 2009 when the Springboks beat them 32-29 at the same Hamilton ground.
But it is more than just the fact the New Zealanders are in a class of their own on familiar ground; they’re just as lethal elsewhere.
In fact, since winning the World Cup five years ago, when they beat France 8-7 in the final, at Eden Park when they hosted the event in 2011, the All Blacks have played 60 Tests all over the world, losing just three times and drawing on two other occasions.
Their defeats came against England at Twickenham in 2012 (38-21), the Springboks at Ellis Park in 2014 (27-25) and Australia in Sydney last year (27-19).
The two draws were also against the Wallabies, 12-12 in 2014 and 18-18 in 2012.The Boks also don’t have any good memories of visiting Christchurch in the past; they suffered a 33-6 defeat the last time they were here, with flyhalf Derick Hougaard slotting two penalties.
It must be said, though, Jake White picked a largely second-string team for the tour of Australia and New Zealand and his decision was later justified when the Boks went on to win the World Cup.
The Boks, though, will do well to get on top of their opponents on Saturday; a scenario that is becoming all too familiar around the rugby world.
And, while New Zealanders love the fact their team are back-to-back World Champions and leaders in the game, it’s something that’s not very healthy, according to Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach.
The long-serving Crusaders boss was speaking exclusively to Independent Media this week about the dominance of the All Blacks.
“I’m no expert on international rugby, but my observation is that nobody wants to go to a match and know the outcome, no matter the level of rugby,” said Riach.
“No one wants to go watch a first XV beat another first XV by 50 points.
“Sport is at its very best when you got nerves in the pit of your stomach and you’re optimistic, hopeful and you dream (about winning), but the outcome is uncertain. I’m sure the Wallabies and Springboks are not far away (from beating the All Blacks)… but what we don’t want is a situation where the outcome is certain.”
That may be, but the fact is right now few would bet against the All Blacks winning every match they step out to play… they’re just that dominant.
Riach says rugby watchers are desperate for the Boks and Wallabies to close the gap on the All Blacks and really push them.“
Just look at the joy in the rugby world when Japan beat the Boks at the World Cup, when Japan beat New Zealand at the Rio Sevens tournament… because what we got was an outcome that wasn’t certain.
“Look, it’s not cool if you’re the team that’s been beaten, but for everyone else it makes it interesting.”
Yes, says Riach, the All Blacks are on top of the world right now, but that can change very quickly, perhaps this coming week, against the Boks.
“There’s not a history of utter domination by the All Blacks. And, I know the Boks can beat anyone on any day. We’ve yet to see whether the All Blacks are a better team than them this year. We’ll only know that on Saturday.”
Yes, we will know exactly where Allister Coetzee and his men stand? We’ll also know whether the All Blacks are still, as widely agreed, the leaders in the game and the team to emulate.
– The Sunday Independent