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Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Jake White has warned the Boks that they will need to improve their defence to stand a chance of winning the Rugby World Cup.
Click to BUY the Rugby World Cup Final 2007 DVD
Peter de Villiers’s team put in a courageous performance to beat a weakened New Zealand side by 13 points at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, in what was their last game before the World Cup.
The Boks conceded only five points and scored 18, but had their first line of defence breached regularly during the game and were forced to make several last-ditch, try-saving tackles.
Speaking on his website Rugbyxv.co.za, White praised the Boks for their commitment, but said they would not be as fortunate during the World Cup and advised the team to shore up its defence.
“The positive was we only conceded five points against those attacking players. Henry said a lack of execution and maturity once they'd made the linebreak cost them, and he was right,” said White.
“We'll have to tighten our first phase defence, because you won't always get away with it and we won't always be able to scramble to that effect. In a different game, the opposition will finish.
“World Cups are won on defence and (Graham) Henry praised the Bok defence, especially the physicality and passion. But we won't be allowed that much leeway every weekend, because the All Blacks did everything right except finish.”
White coached the Springboks to victory in the 2007 World Cup and is currently employed by Australian Super Rugby franchise, the Brumbies.
Click to BUY the Rugby World Cup Final 2007 DVD
Peter de Villiers’s team put in a courageous performance to beat a weakened New Zealand side by 13 points at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, in what was their last game before the World Cup.
The Boks conceded only five points and scored 18, but had their first line of defence breached regularly during the game and were forced to make several last-ditch, try-saving tackles.
Speaking on his website Rugbyxv.co.za, White praised the Boks for their commitment, but said they would not be as fortunate during the World Cup and advised the team to shore up its defence.
“The positive was we only conceded five points against those attacking players. Henry said a lack of execution and maturity once they'd made the linebreak cost them, and he was right,” said White.
“We'll have to tighten our first phase defence, because you won't always get away with it and we won't always be able to scramble to that effect. In a different game, the opposition will finish.
“World Cups are won on defence and (Graham) Henry praised the Bok defence, especially the physicality and passion. But we won't be allowed that much leeway every weekend, because the All Blacks did everything right except finish.”
White coached the Springboks to victory in the 2007 World Cup and is currently employed by Australian Super Rugby franchise, the Brumbies.
