Caleb Clarke says World Rugby’s ban on escorts has left New Zealand vulnerable under the high ball, and that South Africa exploited that by forcing one-on-one aerial contests during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The Springboks repeatedly put the ball in the air and pressed the All Blacks’ catchers, forcing one-on-one battles that the New Zealand side found difficult to manage.
The All Blacks have trialled different methods — wingers running backwards, catching on the run — but execution in matches has lagged practice.
Caleb Clarke has worked specifically on aerial skills, including training with the Sydney Swans, but missed the series after an injury in Durban.
# What happened
# The rule change and its effect The outlawing of escorts shifts contests under the high ball toward pure one-on-one matchups. Clubs and countries that adjust quickly can use this to their advantage by deliberately kicking high and forcing isolated aerial duels. Clarke pointed to that exact pattern when describing how the Boks put pressure on New Zealand's catchers.
# How the Springboks exploited it According to Clarke, South Africa repeatedly put the ball into the air and applied pressure to the catcher and to players picking up loose balls. He said: "It's literally what we have been talking about all the time around catching it cleanly. For me, it's a part of the game that I enjoy, especially chasing after it because I have a free jump for the ball, and it's a one-on-one match-up with someone else."
Blacks to deal with contested high balls without the protective screen of escorts. Clarke credited South Africa for putting consistent pressure on handlers in those moments.
# New Zealand's adjustments and their limits The All Blacks have experimented with several tactical responses. Clarke described teams having wingers run backwards to catch the ball over their shoulders rather than sprinting directly onto it. They have also tried catching while running and coming forward to contest the aerial duel.
Despite these adjustments and training work, Clarke was candid about execution problems. "We're putting in the work, and that's sort of the disappointing part is when it comes down to the day, it just doesn't stick," he said. The implication is that practice solutions have not yet translated into reliable match-day outcomes.
# Clarke's preparation and availability Clarke has worked specifically on his aerial skill set. He spent time training with the Sydney Swans earlier this year to improve fundamentals such as jumping, timing, and catching at the highest point. Those are the skills he said he brought back to rugby.
He did not take part in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series because he missed selection after sustaining an injury against the Sharks in Durban.
# What this means going forward The match series showed that teams who adapt their kicking strategy and aerial technique fastest can gain a practical advantage under the new law. For New Zealand, the task is converting training adjustments into consistent execution in Tests. For opponents, the route to exploiting the law is straightforward: increase contestable kicks and pressure the catcher in one-on-one scenarios.
Clarke's comments highlight both the technical elements (jumping, timing, clean catching) and tactical choices (kick strategy, manning up) that will shape aerial contests in upcoming Tests.
OPINION: South Africans always go back to their strengths, namely the set pieces, when their backs are against the wall, writes Breyton Paulse.
Jordie Barrett has highlighted better execution under the high ball and manning up to the scrappy Springboks as key to victory for the All Blacks this week. The post Kiwis puzzled by Boks’ aerial, power blueprint appeared first on SA Rugby magazine .
Former Springboks assistant coach Gary Gold has recent first-hand experience of facing Australia, as defence coach of Japan, who the Wallabies met in back-to-back Tests in August.
Kurt-Lee Arendse says the Springboks have put plans in place to contain the All Blacks’ dangerous attack in Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium. The post KLA: Boks have All Blacks covered appeared first on SA Rugby magazine .
The Springboks have exposed exactly where New Zealand's high-risk style breaks down against the most formidable packs on the planet. The post Kiwi scribe: All Blacks can’t play with ‘big boys’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine .
The ultimate guide to the pro cycling transfer window, tracking every move across the men's and women's WorldTours
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.