Tana Umaga, the defensive coach for the All Blacks team, acknowledged that the situation has changed, despite being the main opponent of the Springboks during his active playing career.
Umaga is preparing the team for the opening test match of the 'Greatest Rivalry in Rugby' series against the Boks, which will take place on Saturday. Previously, Umaga played for New Zealand in 73 matches between 1997 and 2005, a period when the New Zealand team dominated South Africa.
On Tuesday in Johannesburg, Umaga told reporters that his team understands the seriousness of the upcoming challenge. He noted that the Boks have won four of the last five matches between the two countries, including a 43-10 victory in Wellington last year.
Speaking about the South African team, Umaga emphasized that they have worked together for a long time and know how to win big games, and their play is very reliable. He added that the size of their squad and the continuous wave of pressure they exert will create difficulties for the All Blacks.
The coach also expressed respect for the work done with his former All Blacks teammate, Tony Brown, who sometimes played wing-half for New Zealand while Umaga played inside centre.
In Umaga's opinion, the Boks have significantly improved their game thanks to the skills of players in the attacking line. He warned that if they focus only on attacking from the front, opponents will look for space on the flanks and behind, so attention must be paid to all aspects of the game.
Umaga stated that the answer for the All Blacks lies in controlling what they can control. He stressed the vital importance of adhering to fundamentals such as ball control and defense, as well as imposing their own style of play. He noted that both teams aim to dominate in their area of possession.
In conclusion, Umaga explained that the team capable of imposing its style of play, creating momentum, and exerting pressure is more likely to win. Otherwise, they will be at a disadvantage.