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Johannesburg - Steve Hansen has rubbished Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's assertion earlier in the week that the Springboks could gamble with an expansive attacking game against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
GALLERY: 5 previous games between Boks, NZ at Ellis Park
According to Die Burger, despite finding themselves in a position where they have to score four tries and deny the All Blacks a bonus point to win the Rugby Championship, the Springboks wouldn't alter their tactics too much against the All Blacks, coach Hansen said.
"Although they will have to win convincingly to win the Rugby Championship, they won't throw the ball around at a thousand miles an hour, and run every ball they receive at us," Hansen said yesterday.
"If you change your game too much, just because you are searching for four tries, then you get yourselves into trouble," said Hansen.
"I think they will stick to what their strengths are and try and wear us down."
When asked about the Springboks' recent poor discipline, Hansen said it was not in their hands to do anything about it.
"That's something they need to sort out themselves. We just want to concentrate on our own game."
"They will play their way into the game and they will be physical. Are we preparing for them to be physical? Yup. We know we can be just as physical and we proved that in Auckland and in other test matches."
Veteran All Blacks centre Conrad Smith cracked a smile when asked about the prospect of seeing the Springbok team play an attacking game.
"It's great when rivals have to run at us and take chances, because it gives us opportunities to counter-attack," beamed Smith.
The match kicks-off at 17:00 this Saturday.
GALLERY: 5 previous games between Boks, NZ at Ellis Park
According to Die Burger, despite finding themselves in a position where they have to score four tries and deny the All Blacks a bonus point to win the Rugby Championship, the Springboks wouldn't alter their tactics too much against the All Blacks, coach Hansen said.
"Although they will have to win convincingly to win the Rugby Championship, they won't throw the ball around at a thousand miles an hour, and run every ball they receive at us," Hansen said yesterday.
"If you change your game too much, just because you are searching for four tries, then you get yourselves into trouble," said Hansen.
"I think they will stick to what their strengths are and try and wear us down."
When asked about the Springboks' recent poor discipline, Hansen said it was not in their hands to do anything about it.
"That's something they need to sort out themselves. We just want to concentrate on our own game."
"They will play their way into the game and they will be physical. Are we preparing for them to be physical? Yup. We know we can be just as physical and we proved that in Auckland and in other test matches."
Veteran All Blacks centre Conrad Smith cracked a smile when asked about the prospect of seeing the Springbok team play an attacking game.
"It's great when rivals have to run at us and take chances, because it gives us opportunities to counter-attack," beamed Smith.
The match kicks-off at 17:00 this Saturday.
