Victor Matfield is perplexed that the All Blacks overlook the “best players in the world” in the Springboks.
Legendary Springboks player Victor Matfield finds it incomprehensible that New Zealand Rugby won’t pick any of their finest All Black players. Because of NZ Rugby’s selection policy regarding players who are based overseas, the former lock for the Boston Breakers feels that Scott Robertson is missing some of “the best players in the world.”
In addition, Matfield outlined the areas where the All Blacks and Springboks are currently comparable, but he thinks that Rassie Erasmus’ “biggest strong point” will ultimately separate the two teams when they play at Ellis Park in the third round of the Rugby Championship.
All Blacks Abroad
After the Rugby World Cup in 2023, All Blacks icon Aaron Smith and fellow legend Sam Whitelock hung up their Test boots, resulting in a significant loss of experience for New Zealand. Not only did Dane Coles finish his remarkable career, but Richie Mo’unga, Brodie Retallick, and Shannon Frizell also played their last Test matches after signing contracts with Japanese teams.
The three listed above were not available for selection by Robertson at this time, and that list will increase later in the year when TJ Perenara and Sam Cane depart as well. Robertson is not currently allowed to choose foreign-based players who are not under contract with NZ Rugby.
While South Africa formerly had a similar selection criteria, allowing only specific players who had met a cap level to be selected from overseas, Matfield thinks New Zealand should follow South Africa’s example.”After reviewing the teams for the match at Ellis Park, I took a step back and realized that, in reality, they are comparable,” Matfield stated on Supersport’s Side Entry program.
The depth of the South African group at the moment is our greatest strength. “But then I went to that bench and I just looked at the Bomb Squad, the players that South Africa will put on from the bench in that second half, and that’s where the difference is and that’s where we sit.”
The question of why New Zealand won’t allow players like Retallick, Mo’unga, and Frizzell to be selected is then raised once more. These are the players you want representing your country.
“They are the world’s greatest players.” How come they’re not playing? That’s what we’ve been asking New Zealand Rugby, too. And they alone are able to respond. Predictions made by David Campese: Wallabies face “hostile” Pumas as the Springboks and All Blacks play the “brutal and thrilling” Ellis Park classic.
Matfield alert to injured All Blacks
The legendary Bok is leery of the All Blacks, even if he thinks the Springboks have the smallest advantage coming into the match, especially following Robertson’s personnel changes from the first Test against Argentina to the second.
He clarified, “I believed that the New Zealand backline in that first Test against Argentina wasn’t the kind that we have gotten accustomed to. When I look back to my playing days, there were always a few backs that you just had to be extremely careful about because if they committed a turnover, they were gone, and it might turn out to be a try. For a while, I didn’t realize it.
“However, I do believe that with Rieko Ioane back at 13 already and Caleb Clark—a winger who will get you over that advantage line—in both this week’s and the second Test’s lineup, things look different, as you could see last week as well.”
Argentina, where the All Blacks “dominated”
When the former winger discussed the scrum and set-pieces during the two Test matches against Argentina, Matfield poked fun at All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan once more, but he also said that Robertson’s team may pose a threat to the Boks in certain areas of the game.
“Ethan Blackadder was fantastic at contesting at lineout time, and they dominated the lineouts [against Argentina at Eden Park].” “Once you start getting scrum penalties, you get territory, you get possession in the right areas of the field, and then the All Blacks are always very difficult,” he continued.
“It’s important to remember the last time the All Blacks visited Ellis Park. Coming off a crushing defeat in Nelspruit, they entered the game as the underdogs and proved once and for all that they are the All Blacks and should never be underestimated.”
“Though we have a great deal of respect for the All Blacks and their numerous rugby championship victories, we always have questions. South Africa last won the Freedom Cup in 2009.” Although it’s quite challenging to start as the favorites against the All Blacks, that’s exactly what we do.