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Smith expecting tough examination

Thursday 03rd July 2008

Testing times: Smith knows the pressure is still on the All Blacks

When New Zealand play host to South Africa in the opening game of the 2008 Tri-Nations on Saturday they will be looking to retain their unbeaten home run of 29 Tests.

All Blacks Backs Coach Wayne Smith believes that if his side are to make it thirty on the trot they will need to compete in the forwards.

The Springboks have not won on New Zealand soil for ten years now and arrive in Wellington full of confidence, and Smith knows it will be a tough Test for his side.

"They're not the sort of team you can lose the forward battle to and beat," he told Sportal.nz.

"They are always tough - I've been involved since 1998 in different capacities and I can't remember one easy Test match. I can't remember any easy ones against Australia either."

Although the final scores would suggest otherwise Smith claims the two England Tests took their toll on the All Blacks.

"It takes a wee while to recover from that but they have all recovered," he said.

Smith claimed that due to the lack of experience in the side New Zealand had banked on attitude and enthusiasm to bridge that gap.

With South Africa in town Smith is not expecting this Saturday to be any different from the England games, and he said the young players have to go through this kind of experience in order to develop.

"We've had quite an intense week, but I am sure the first few minutes are going to really tell on some players and we are going to have to adjust quickly," he said.

"If you look at South Africa on paper, they have fewer changes and are pretty strong, very strong. We've had a lot of changes and are a bit greener but, as I said, attitude makes up for a lot of things and we are really happy with the attitude of the boys."

Smith believed that changes in the South African management should see a change in game style with the Springboks looking to move the ball around more.

"Against Wales they were more expansive so I expect that will carry on. Peter de Villiers seemed to be that sort of coach which will be good for the game. I think the ELVs will help that.

"They give more momentum to the game. There's some messy areas still in some of the rules but in general I think they have improved the game, the continuity, and they keep the game going," he said.

Smith added that despite three first-up wins the selectors were still suffering from the pressure of expectation resulting from the World Cup fall-out.

"There's been a hell of a lot of pressure, we still feel that, we always feel that.

"But it's been heightened by the glare of the spotlights and it hasn't receded.

"You've just got to earn your respect week after week and you can't earn it one week and expect it the next week. You just have to keep doing the hard yards and earn it again."