A former All Blacks player has suggested New Zealand still haven’t figured out how to deal with the Springboks’ famed ‘bomb squad’.
Since the 2019 World Cup, the Springboks have become known for their formidable bench, dubbed the bomb squad, which has frequently proven to be a game changer.
The Springboks were the first team to consistently experiment with a 6-2 – or even 7-1 – substitution split, allowing practically the entire forward pack to be replaced with fresh players.
Some foreign critics have stated that this strategy poses a safety concern, but such a criticism has been laughed out of the park in South Africa, especially because it is not against the rules.
The Springboks’ bomb squad has stirred up plenty of debate
Former All Black forward Josh Kronfeld, who played more than 50 Tests for New Zealand, has recently admitted that the Springboks have an advantage over everyone by using the ‘bomb squad’.
“New Zealand is still rebuilding,” he told Jackpot City. “They obviously need to find a little more edge than they have right now. The last 20 minutes of the All Blacks’ game have been the most worrying for everyone in New Zealand watching them. Typically, that has been our strength. As a former All Black, I was surprised to see that they had not lived up to our expectations.
“I don’t know why that’s occurring. The guys that are coming on are all good players, and whether it’s seasoned players coming off the bench or new and young men coming off the bench, there hasn’t been a significant impact. The question is if the remaining players have rallied in the closing 20 minutes.
“Can you ask if there is a fitness issue? With the quantity of rugby that players have to play these days, there aren’t many opportunities to say, “Look, we’re going to work on our cardio.” There are no clear breaks throughout the season to fill that job. Is it something we’ve gotten a little caught up in? I do not know. Watching, I can’t pinpoint exactly what the team has lacked in the previous 20 minutes.
“I’m sure Razor (coach Scott Robertson) is asking the team and his administration this question, and they will undoubtedly work on it. I’m sure it’ll be something they focus on. You also cannot ignore the dynamics of the games we did lose. South Africa’s absolute strength, as well as the manner the bomb squad operates. Everyone is asking how you deal with the bomb squad. Do you do like-for-like or stick to the status quo?
“The All Blacks have lost their aura. “The mystique isn’t as strong as it used to be,” he explained.
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