Experienced back Anton Lienert-Brown says the All Blacks are primed to unleash a high-tempo assault on the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Veteran All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown believes returning to the Highveld could give New Zealand an unexpected advantage when they face the Springboks in the third Test at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The All Blacks stunned the Boks at Ellis Park in the opening Test, just a short distance from this week’s Soweto venue, before South Africa levelled the series in Cape Town.
Now, with the decider back at altitude, Lienert-Brown believes the conditions will again favour New Zealand’s high-tempo approach.
“We’ve spent a lot of time up at the Highveld, so we know what it brings, and we think it’s an advantage to us,” said Lienert-Brown on Tuesday.
“We try to play at tempo in a fast game; we’re an incredibly fit team, so we’re looking forward to going back up there from Cape Town.”
The 92-cap centre also identified the aerial battle as an area the All Blacks need to improve if they are to beat the world champions for a second time in the series.
South Africa’s contestable kicking game has been a key feature of the Tests, but Lienert-Brown said the All Blacks’ backline had worked on ways to counter it.
“In the backs it’s been talked about, making sure that we win more ball in the air, and we’ll tidy that up this week,” he said.
“There’s a lot of small things that go on that can make a big difference, and we believe that will help us this weekend.
“We felt like we did so much good stuff but then also there’s lots of improvements, so the focus is on us.”
Lienert-Brown knows the All Blacks will have to match the Springboks physically, but believes their ability to maintain a high tempo could pay dividends as the match wears on.
“We all understand what it takes to play a South African team in South Africa, so you need to put in the work physically, and that’s what we’re doing in training, but also mentally during the week,” he said.
The experienced centre, who has 92 Test caps, is relishing another opportunity to play the Boks on one of rugby’s biggest stages.
“As a rugby player, you live for these moments, so we’re really excited about the opportunity,” he said.
“If we put in the work, it will put us in good stead to be where we need to be on Saturday.
“South Africa, they’re a big physical team, and if we can play at tempo, then we’ll reap the rewards later on in each half.”
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