All Blacks v Springboks
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 6 September
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Even though the ceiling was five stories up at the Park Hyatt atrium, the tension was thick at the first All Blacks media session before their gigantic clash with the Springboks this weekend. Coach Scott Robertson found himself facing the largest turnout of journalists of the season, including those just arrived from South Africa, and made it clear that this one is no ordinary test match.
The Springboks arrive as world champions and with seemingly the best chance to break the All Blacks' 50 test unbeaten streak at Eden Park, with Robertson acknowledging that this is the biggest test of his coaching career so far.
"Yeah, I think (the turnout at) this press conference covers that off," he said.
"One plays two in the world, all eyes are watching. It's pretty exciting for us as a country, we've got a record that we're really proud of and will play for."
The Eden Park factor is just one narrative thread going into the match, with both Robertson and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus springing selection surprises over the past 24 hours.
Erasmus has recalled halfback Faf de Klerk, while Robertson has rushed Leicester Fainga'anuku back into the squad after the wing/midfielder was cleared to return to test match rugby.
"He was here for pre-season for Tasman, played all the pre season games…we asked the board if he's ticked his eligibility and they said yes, he's good to go."
Leicester Fainga’anuku. Photo: Evan Barnes/ActionPress
That board approval is a surprising development, though. The last high profile player to return from an offshore contract, Damian McKenzie, didn't become eligible until he'd played an entire NPC campaign with Waikato. To make things even more interesting, Robertson hinted that Fainga'anuku could feature back on the field as early as this weekend.
"Everyone's eligible to get picked. That's why they're here, the good thing about Leicester is that he can play multiple positions," he said.
Meanwhile, de Klerk's arrival underlined something that Robertson is already anticipating from the Springbok gameplan. When asked how he expected Erasmus' side to operate on Saturday night, he pointed to the kick heavy strategy - a hallmark of de Klerk's role in their World Cup success - as something the All Blacks "know is coming".
Wallace Sititi takes line out ball. Photo: Nic Bothma/ActionPress
"They'll chance their arm and go back to their DNA…that's all part of it, rugby is a game of strengths and styles, we'll back our skills and they'll back theirs as well."
When asked about how much pressure he was personally feeling, Robertson simply said "there's always pressure. It's part of the job, the role, the responsibility."
Robertson dismissed the fact that neither his side or the Springboks have been in top form coming into the game, with both sides having lost test matches in the first two Rugby Championship rounds leading in.
"I think it's on the night. No one has been out and out the best on their game, and that probably just adds to the occasion. We've had some parts of our game, they've been awesome. And then some parts to get better at and just hasn't come together.
"And it's a good week to get it, to make it happen."
Robertson names his side on Thursday.
