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Ex-Wallabies highlight where All Blacks look ‘a little bit vulnerable’ and single out ‘absolutely huge’ refereeing area for ‘pressure cooker’ Greatest Rivalry Ex-Wallaby Bernard Foley has highlighted where the All Blacks have looked most vulnerable so far on their Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa. Dave Rennie’s side have defeated the Stormers, the Sharks and the Bulls in the lead-up to next Saturday’s opening Test match versus the Springboks in Johannesburg. However, Foley has suggested that those warm-up wins in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria showed a vulnerability that Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team will look to exploit at the weekend at Ellis Park. A veteran of 76 Test caps, including an appearance as a starter in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, the 36-year-old Foley recently hung up his club-level boots, having last played at international level in 2022. “Will they try and do that against the best blitz defence in possibly the history of the game…” Appearing on the latest episode of the Stan Sport Between Two Posts show, he praised Rennie’s All Blacks for a style of play on tour that has showcased their attacking threat, but he also put the spotlight on an area of defensive play where he feels they could be exposed by the Springboks. Reflecting on the All Blacks’ 50-19 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, the retired fly-half said: “It was an interesting game. It probably talks to the versatility of Beauden Barrett here. You know, he’s been trying to play 10 and he’s able to play at 15 and have some really good, classy touches. “They look so dangerous when they are able to get that quick recycle, that ball in behind, especially on counter. What Dave Rennie is trying to do is very structured around counter and turnover plays. So I thought they’re starting to attack well, but there are probably a few moments where they looked a little bit vulnerable off their set-piece defence.” Morgan Turinui, another retired Wallaby, was equally impressed by the All Blacks attack but wondered whether they would persist with their constant ‘out the back’ approach which they used throughout their three warm-up matches. “The big thing is that All Blacks are going out the back, out the back, out the back against provincial blitz defences and sort of getting it done well. Just getting it done,” he said. “Are they going to be able to do that (against the Springboks)? And will they try and do that against the best blitz defence in possibly the history of the game and the hardest working team in the world?” Foley believed they would. “They’ll definitely try. That’s what they’re trying to build in terms of Dave Rennie’s style of attack, to play those layers, play that depth and be able to bring their attacking flair into the picture, especially with a 10 and 15 with a (Damien) McKenzie if he’s fit, whether Richie (Mo’unga) comes back and Ruben Love is involved. “So, you know, they want to try and ignite these guys as best. And that’s going to be the challenge, isn’t it? How they do it against such a rush and such a blitz that South Africa are going to bring.” Foley continued by backing the South Africans for the Test series victory on a 3-1 score. “Their set-piece battle is probably going to set them up. New Zealand have matched it there, but they’re looking a little bit vulnerable in their set-piece defence and they’ve given up a couple of tries in these early matches that I’m sure South Africa will be targeting.” Springboks: Fresh update issued on Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche ahead of All Blacks opener Turinui added that the refereeing of the breakdown would be a crucial aspect of a series where the four Test matches are respectively refereed by England’s Matthew Carley, Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli, Australia’s Angus Gardner and England’s Karl Dickson. “I’m really interested in the refereeing because it is going to be a pressure cooker,” he said. “Matthew Carley has the first one. Even this Bulls-All Blacks game, it was 25 50/50 ruck penalties. Nika Amashukeli had that game. “He’s got the second Test down in Cape Town. How the breakdown is refereed is going to be huge. Absolutely huge. How the TMO gets involved. That’s how close these teams are going to be, so that’s really interesting.” Show presenter Shaun Maloney interjected: “Can I just ask a question? Why is Luke Pearce not doing that first game? Why is Luke Pearce not doing the second, the third and the fourth? Like, why not? Why can’t he? One guy who is regarded as the best proponent of moving games along in the world, (he) communicates terrifically with both sides. “Like, I don’t understand it. Why, if this is the Greatest Rivalry series, if this is the biggest thing that we’ve had in forever, why is a guy that most would regard as the best in the world in the northern hemisphere not looking out for this southern hemisphere game? Can you help me out? Help a brother out.” After Turinui replied, “I cannot explain to you”, Maloney followed by asking, “Does Ashley Klein do all three games in the State of Origin? He’s regarded as the best ref in the (rugby league) game. So why would you not?” Turinui answered: “It’s referees, mate, it’s a riddle. It’s an enigma wrapped inside an enigma for rugby referees… But (Ben) O’Keefe, for example, if you want to steal the ball with Ben as ref, you have got to lift, you’ve got to put pressure on, you’ve got to have clear release. “Like, it’s going to be very different each referee, and how teams adapt to that and how they prepare for that will influence the way it’s played.” Asked for a series prediction, Turinui plumped for New Zealand. “South Africa might win the first one, Ellis Park. It’s a different world playing South Africa there than anywhere else in the world. It adds merit to the win of the Wallabies there last year. New Zealand will probably win the second one down in Cape Town… I’ll say 3-1 New Zealand.” READ MORE: Tana Umaga issues Damian McKenzie update and rubbishes perceived All Blacks advantage