Zinzan Brooke, a renowned All Blacks player, issues a warning to the Springboks in anticipation of the Rugby World Cup final.
He cautions that the Ardie Savea-inspired New Zealand team at Stade de France on Saturday could dismantle South Africa.
Savea, who is pivotal to the All Blacks’ challenge, is considered the most naturally gifted No. 8 since Brooke himself. Savea’s legendary status was cemented with a remarkable 47-meter drop goal against England in the 1995 tournament.
Brooke emphasizes that South Africa, despite their hard-fought journey to the final, must elevate their performance to counter the All Blacks.
Otherwise, New Zealand will exploit the deficiencies exposed during the Springboks’ semi-final match against England.
While Savea has surpassed Brooke in caps and tries, Brooke humorously points out that he hasn’t delivered “the full Monty” yet.
Given Savea’s exceptional performance in the World Cup, it wouldn’t be surprising if he replicated his drop goal feat against South Africa.
Savea’s excellence has shone even when doubts surrounded the All Blacks leading up to the World Cup. His ability to carry the ball, clear it like a scrum-half, and display incredible agility has made him an invaluable source of inspiration.
Brooke admires Savea’s power, explosiveness, and offloading skills. Savea’s playing weight, at just 100 kilograms, is remarkable given his impact against larger opponents.
His footballing skills and clever footwork allow him to exploit defensive weaknesses, making him a versatile forward who can adapt to different positions.
Brooke highlights the All Blacks’ exceptional performance in defeating Ireland, the top-ranked team, in the quarter-finals. He lauds their clinical precision and believes it sets a high standard for the final.
Brooke also acknowledges Courtney Lawes’ impact for England, particularly in their close loss to South Africa in the semi-final. This performance gives the All Blacks various options for the final, with Savea poised to be equally aggressive and disruptive.
While South Africa’s scrum power is recognized, Brooke is confident in the All Blacks’ strength and depth in the front row, preventing the opposition from gaining a significant advantage in the second half.
South Africa’s struggles in pool matches and the need to conserve key players could leave them fatigued for the final. In contrast, the All Blacks secured a decisive victory over Argentina.
Brooke believes that the All Blacks have the upper hand in terms of confidence and performance leading into the final.
He acknowledges past doubts about their consistency but sees them as formidable contenders, ready to keep their approach simple, be accurate, play with pace, and passion against the Springboks.
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