New Zealand coach Ian Foster has urged his side to "man up" as the seek to put a horror run of form behind them when they kick off their Rugby Championship title defence in South Africa this weekend.
Ian Foster Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The ailing All Blacks have lost four of their last five tests to put Foster's position under threat after his two assistant coaches John Plumtree and Brad Mooar were axed in the wake of the historic 2-1 home series loss to Ireland last month.
Foster maintains he can turn around the fortunes of the side, starting with two tests away to the Springboks in the Rugby Championship, the second of which is in Johannesburg on Aug. 13.
"It's about the team manning up because the Boks are not one-trick ponies. That's a fallacy," he said.
"What they do well, they do really well. You don't become the world champions if you're not proficient at a whole lot of things.
"We have to go in with the mindset of wanting to play our game. There's an edge and we know we can play better. We'll man up, we need to be smart and physical, but we'll need a good combination of both."
Foster has largely kept faith with the side that lost the third test to Ireland, though there is a return after two years for wing Caleb Clarke, who replaces Sevu Reece, and a new front row that contains props Angus Ta'avao and George Bower plus hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho.
South Africa have not been in the best form either so far this season, and looked unconvincing in their recent 2-1 home series win over Wales.
But they have stuck to what they know best and will look to be physically dominant against the All Blacks, use their set-piece to secure points and test the visitors under the high ball with a territorial kicking game.
Bok coach Nienaber said that while the All Blacks may be at a low ebb, he did not buy into the notion his side were heavy favourites.
"One has to stick to reality and we know it's New Zealand and it's going to be a tough test match," Nienaber said. "It's not a team that you beat often."
Nienaber had some sympathy for Foster's plight and said expectations within both teams would always be high.
"If you are a coach ... you are always two poor games away from being fired," he added.
Caleb Clarke Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Meanwhile Caleb Clarke was as surprised as anyone when he was named in the starting XV, but is ready to repay the faith Foster has shown in him.
The burly 23-year-old won all of his five previous caps in a two month spell in 2020, but has been absent from the All Blacks side since then in part through injury.
He is one of four changes to the starting lineup for a team under some pressure after losing four of their last five tests, including a historic 2-1 home series defeat by Ireland last month, which has put Foster's future tenure at risk.
"I didn't know I was going to play, and especially not starting," Clarke said on Thursday. "I was thinking I might come off the bench or something like that because it has been so long since I have played.
"It's close to three months now since I last played a professional rugby game, so it is pretty overwhelming to see how much trust Fozzie (Foster) has in me."
Clarke debuted against Australia in Wellington in October 2020 and remained in the side for the rest of that season until injury struck.
"Just putting on that All Black jersey again is going to be overwhelming for me. I remember being in Wellington and just crying on the sidelines as we were singing the national anthem.
"I didn't even know why I was crying, it just came out. It's been a great journey getting back into this jersey."
Clarke has been given a chance ahead of Sevu Reece and is eager to grab it, as well as complete an ambition he has long held.
"There are two teams I have always wanted to play against and that's England and South Africa," he said.
"(The Springboks) are big, fast and strong, they are currently the world champions, and you want to measure yourself against the best. That's what I'm really excited about."
-Reuters