Springbok compares current All Blacks to team who lost 2023 World Cup Final

Springboks centre Jesse Kriel believes the All Blacks are at least “on their way” to becoming a better team compared to the side that lost last year’s Rugby World Cup Final. With many greats playing their last Test, New Zealand were narrowly beaten 12-11 by South Africa.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard was the star of the show for the Springboks as they held on for a thrilling 12-11 win at Stade de France. Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith were among the legends who retired from Test rugby at the conclusion of that tournament.

But the All Blacks have ushered in a new era in 2024 with Scott Robertson stepping up as the team’s new head coach. ‘Razor’ Robertson brought a mostly new management staff with him, although assistant Leon MacDonald stepped down from the role last week.

New Zealand started the new four-year Rugby World Cup cycle with two hard-fought wins over an impressive England outfit in July before piling 47 points on Fiji in San Diego. While they were stunned by Argentina in Wellington earlier this month, the Kiwis bounced back at Eden Park.

The All Blacks showcased the very best of their attacking flair with a 42-10 win over Los Pumas at their Auckland fortress, Eden Park. Winger Will Jordan was especially impressive with the try-scoring machine crossing for an impressive double.

But in less than a week, the All Blacks will be put to the test in a highly-anticipated Rugby World Cup Final ‘rematch’ against the Springboks. Kriel has praised the Kiwi players and the coaching staff for what they’ve already managed to achieve this year.

“Yeah, I think they’re definitely up there,” Kriel told reporters on Monday. “They’ve got class players all around the field – they’ve got a class squad, they’ve got great leaders, I think they’ve got a really good coaching staff as well that have come in.

“Yeah, I do think they’re on their way to becoming a better team, if not better than where they were last year.

“Like any international team, it’s really competitive and they’ve got class players so I think that in itself drives a competitive environment.”

The All Blacks won’t announce their team until Thursday but it seems all but certain that Damian McKenzie will be involved in some capacity. The 29-year-old has started every Test this year at flyhalf and there doesn’t appear to be a reason for that to change this weekend.

McKenzie was sensational once again during Super Rugby Pacific with the Chiefs and there have been glimpses of that genius in the Test arena. Last time out against Argentina, the playmaker probably had his best Test of the year as an individual.

With the likes of Jordie and Beauden Barrett outside him, as well as wingers Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan, McKenzie really looked at home in that No. 10 jumper. But away from McKenzie, the ‘ABs’ have quality across the park and Kriel is wary of those threats.

“Damian McKenzie is probably one of the most exciting players in world rugby with ball in hand,” Kriel explained. “Obviously, he’s been given the chance now to run the New Zealand team at flyhalf and I think he’s been doing a really good job.

“It’s an exciting challenge for us I think, obviously, to try and nullify that. I think he’s been doing really well for them and he’s been good for New Zealand.

“They’ve also got really good depth in the midfield,” he added. “Whoever plays, whether it be Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, they’ve got so many people to pick from there that are world-class players.

“Regardless of who plays, you know you’ve got a big Test match on your hands and it’s going to be a big challenge.

“They’re really lucky with the quality of players they’ve got in the squad.”