Kolisi could solve breakdown problem, improve width on defence against All Blacks – Rassie
· Citizen
Siya Kolisi’s skillset could be key to preventing the All Blacks from gaining dominance at the breakdown again, said coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of Saturday’s second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test in Cape Town.
Erasmus named his matchday squad on Monday, saying the regular Springbok captain would play if he passes a fitness test.
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Kolisi, who missed the first Test after suffering a hamstring injury when the Boks edged Argentina 17-10 in Buenos Aires earlier in the month, may even captain the side instead of Pieter-Steph du Toit, who plays his 100th Test for the Boks.
If Kolisi fails the test, Paul de Villiers would play blindside flanker.
‘Siya is our captain’
The Springboks failed to convert many opportunities when in the All Blacks’ 22 during their 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park on the weekend, often due to the tenacity of New Zealand defenders either ripping the ball (once over the tryline when Malcolm Marx almost scored) or generally disrupting the breakdown to slow play down.
They also regularly worked a man out wide, even when defending, to maintain a constant threat in the wider channels.
Erasmus said Kolisi could counter that.
“Paul played well and there is no reason why we should keep him out, but Siya is our captain,” Erasmus said, adding that Du Toit also did a “sterling job” at blindside and captaining the team.
“Siya’s got some strengths. He’s really good at sorting the attacking breakdown out quickly. It was an area we struggled with.”
Springboks need to improve against All Blacks
The Springbok coach said many times his team were found wanting on Saturday because the All Blacks legally harassed the breakdown in their own 22.
“We couldn’t deal with them at the breakdown when in their 22. Siya’s really good at that and good at getting us width in defence.
“He and Pieter-Steph together, we call it ‘the gate’. They are really well organised in the defensive set. Paul will just get better.”
Erasmus added that referee Matthew Carley “did nothing wrong” in his management of the breakdown or in a defining moment when he ruled Gerhard Steenekamp had walked around the scrum.
The decision resulted in a penalty against the Springboks despite it being their third scrum in front of the posts, allowing New Zealand to escape when they led 19-16 and shifting the momentum.
“They [the All Blacks] played well and took us in certain areas to places we couldn’t handle some stuff. And when they took their opportunities they finished well. I do think the scoreboard didn’t 100% reflect [the game].”