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Cape Town - All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith says they won’t underestimate the Springboks ahead of their Tri-Nations clash in Wellington on Saturday.
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Smith says not too much should be read into the Springboks' 39-20 defeat at the hands of Australia.
"I think they've got plenty of talent. If they've got anything near the feeling we have in our team then they'll be hungry. It will be a contest for spots in their team, just as it is in ours," said Smith on the All Blacks.com website.
He feels limited preparation could have played a part in the Boks' below-par performance.
"I think their performance was like ours (against Fiji) on the back of three or four training runs. I think they were rusty.
"We've seen them beaten over there before and come over and play really well here so we've just got to make sure that we look after our performance."
Fullback Mils Muliaina echoed Smith's sentiments, stating the Boks could not be taken lightly, despite missing several front-line players.
"I think they'll be hurting. They know themselves that they didn't play as well as they can and we know in our camp how much better they can get.
"It was practically their first run together and coming to Wellington they're going to bring their 'A' game and we're looking forward to it," said Muliaina.
Click to BUY the Springbok kitchen
Smith says not too much should be read into the Springboks' 39-20 defeat at the hands of Australia.
"I think they've got plenty of talent. If they've got anything near the feeling we have in our team then they'll be hungry. It will be a contest for spots in their team, just as it is in ours," said Smith on the All Blacks.com website.
He feels limited preparation could have played a part in the Boks' below-par performance.
"I think their performance was like ours (against Fiji) on the back of three or four training runs. I think they were rusty.
"We've seen them beaten over there before and come over and play really well here so we've just got to make sure that we look after our performance."
Fullback Mils Muliaina echoed Smith's sentiments, stating the Boks could not be taken lightly, despite missing several front-line players.
"I think they'll be hurting. They know themselves that they didn't play as well as they can and we know in our camp how much better they can get.
"It was practically their first run together and coming to Wellington they're going to bring their 'A' game and we're looking forward to it," said Muliaina.
