All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea says the Springboks’ bold backline reshuffle for Saturday’s clash in Wellington have definitely caught the team’s attention.
Rassie Erasmus has made five changes to his side’s starting backline from last weekend’s 27–20 loss at Eden Park. Only Cheslin Kolbe retains his jersey, with Canan Moodie shifting from wing to centre, Ethan Hooker making his first Test start on the left wing, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu trusted with flyhalf duties in just his second Test appearance. Cobus Reinach slots in at scrumhalf and Aphelele Fassi takes the full-back position.
It’s a big shift, and one that suggests South Africa may look to play a more expansive game – although Tupaea doesn’t expect them to deviate from their core strategy.
“The extent of the changes was a little bit of a surprise,” Tupaea said. “But it’s good seeing their team – they’ve got a few ballers in that backline, a few guys who play with confidence and like to move the ball around.
“We’re expecting a lot of the same – their kicking game and big forwards,” Tupaea said. “But just looking at the backline they’ve named, they might look to play a little bit more.”
He also said the All Blacks have been focusing on how to deal with South Africa’s fast, aggressive defence.
“They like to cram and bring a lot of linespeed,” he said. “So we’ve talked about trying to get the ball a bit wider, away from the ruck, and find space that way.”
Tupaea came off the bench to score a key try in last week’s 27–20 win in Auckland, but said the All Blacks know they’ll need to improve to back it up in Wellington.
“We need to go to another level this week,” he said. “There was a lot of emotion, with Ardie [Savea] and Eden Park and everything. But it’s hard to get that same emotion again. We’ve talked about it – every week is a big game for the All Blacks. We’re expected to perform, especially at home.”
