1
All Blacks dared to put 'record on the line' in 'biggest game in 2025'
By Josh Raisey
The All Blacks will return to New Zealand this week wondering what might have been after two narrow losses to South Africa.
The visitors held the advantage heading into the second half at both Emirates Airline Park and the DHL Stadium, only to see the world champions grind them down, aided by their bench, to earn back-to-back victories and take a huge stride towards the Rugby Championship title.
But for a team with a new head coach, a spate of injuries and entering a new era following the retirements of many greats after last year's World Cup, there were many positives to take from the tour. For a team that is well-accustomed to winning, that may be scant consolation.
Most importantly, Scott Robertson will know that his side can compete with the world champions and current world number ones. And with the Springboks making their way to New Zealand in next year's Rugby Championship, they may have their chance to exact revenge.
Ahead of 2025, former Springbok Hanyani Shimange has laid the ultimate challenge at the All Blacks' feet by daring them to host Rassie Erasmus' side at Eden Park.
The All Blacks brought up their half-century of consecutive victories at Eden Park against Argentina in round two of this year's Championship, a run that dates back to 1994.
On this week's upcoming episode of RugbyPass TV's The Boks Office, Shimange said it will say a lot about New Zealand rugby if they are not willing to "put that record on the line".
"Please, can we play them at Eden Park next year?" he said.
"They have to put that record on the line. A lot's going to be said about New Zealand rugby if next year the schedule comes out and they're trying to protect their record and they don't take us to Eden Park. It has to happen.
"If they back themselves and believe in Eden Park, then surely you want to play the current world champions at Eden Park."
Fellow Boks Office regular Schalk Burger was less keen on the idea, however.
"No one's winning at Eden Park ever. That's done," the former South Africa flanker added
"It's not even Eden Park, we went to Mount Smart and got absolutely smashed last year. I don't think Auckland's the place we want to go to, but they can take us to Wellington any time."
This week's guest, EggChasers Rugby Podcast co-host Tim Cocker, added: "If that game happens, that's the biggest game in 2025, it hurts me to say because it's the British and Irish Lions tour."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Lancaster takes giant stride towards immediate Racing 92 exit
3
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Joe Schmidt’s future post-Lions
4
Glasgow coach jumps to defence of McDowall who faces possible huge ban
5
Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
Go to comments