All Blacks sharpen kicking game to unsettle Springboks

The useful part

All Blacks kick on to break down Boks While not abandoning a high-tempo brand of attack, the All Blacks are working desperately on their kicking game to carve apart the Springboks' defence, reports DEVIN HERMANUS. Backing our game that we've been able to execute over the last couple of months, and trusting what we've been doing, that would be the main thing," he said ahead of Saturday's clash at FNB Stadium. Blair takes Bok team with a 'pinch of salt' Blair noted the All Blacks' nine tries across two Tests in the series, but acknowledged several missed opportunities in Cape Town.

How it works

• "We obviously finished four of them on Saturday, but we left multiple opportunities out there, so we've been talking about how we will take them," he added.
• "The tries we scored were tougher to take than other opportunities that we created so there's a positive feel, but some work still to be done." MORE:
• "I'm not going to explain too deeply because we want to use it as a strategy with the two games left to go, but I've talked before about how you use the kicking game to destructure a defence and having...
• Rassie fires back at Rennie Blair admitted the kicking strategy failed to effectively breach South Africa's defence last week, and labelled contestable kicks an aerial lottery where chasing sides hold an...

What to take from it

We know it's an important part of international rugby, so it's an area that we're looking at as well." PLUS: All Blacks slammed over 'aimless' kicking The former Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh and Kobe Steelers tactician shared that the coaches are exploring methods for the players to cope with deafening crowd noise. "Referees have just got to referee what they see as well, so we just focus on what we're trying to do." Photo:

Details worth keeping

"I don't think being brave is the right thing.

Related coverage

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• Stuff: OPINION: South Africans always go back to their strengths, namely the set pieces, when their backs are against the wall, writes Breyton Paulse.
• Stuff: The Black Ferns overcame four yellow cards and an 18-7 penalty count against them as they pulled away to beat the Springbok Women by 20-52 at FNB Stadium.
• Sarugbymag: Zealand's high-risk style breaks down against the most formidable packs on the planet.