All Blacks boss Scott Robertson admits that they are possibly looking at creating their own version of the Springboks ‘Bomb Squad’ ahead of their 2025 Test season.
South Africa’s tactic of having a forwards-heavy bench helped them to successive Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. They initially went with a 6-2 split in Japan before using a 7-1 at times four years later.
The former has been adopted by a number of teams around the world while the latter was used very successfully by France in the recent Six Nations.
Sticking with tradition
New Zealand has been resistant to change from the traditional 5-3, particularly with the talent they always have behind the scrum, but Robertson’s may have to adapt to the Boks-led trend.
If there is one side who will have the depth to go with a 6-2, or even a 7-1, it is the All Blacks and it will be fascinating to see if they go in that direction this year.
“I think you look at it, statistically, how powerful it is, 6-2s. 7-1s have been successful as well. It depends on your squad and your team early on,” Robertson told Sport Nation‘s Scotty and Izzy show.
“Early on (in 2024), when we had a number of those injuries, we had a really young, inexperienced bench in those first five, six Tests, and then we got a few of those players back.
“You look at the balance of those 6-2s, having two loose forwards and a lock, plus explosive front-rowers that come on and change the game. How and when do you put them on?”
It is not a guarantee that the All Blacks will follow a number of their competitors by going with their own ‘Bomb Squad’ as Robertson has acknowledged the potential risk involved.
“You look at all of those facets that have been successful in the past, and then you also go to the risk factors as well, and particularly in the backs, someone’s potentially going to be playing out of position for a long time. So, there is a risk factor to it,” he explained.
“But, also, was it mitigated by turning the game around with 30 minutes to go? Can you put a whole new forward pack on? Who you’re playing, where you’re playing, they’re all critical questions. And the depth of your squad, your experience of the players that are coming on.”
First squad of the year
What may give an indication as to what the head coach will do is when his first squad of the year is named next month.
The All Blacks face France in a three-Test series and there are plenty of players putting their hands up for selection with fine performances in Super Rugby Pacific.
“You always have a position for someone to come through and perform really well. We’re pretty close now from naming a side, it’s close to 50 days,” Robertson said.
“So, you’ve got a few round-robin games before you come into finals. You might have a few close calls, a lot of these players basically pick themselves with their performance, ability, consistency, and in the bigger games you get to see them. That’s their advantage.
“But, it’s a summation of the whole season, too. Some guys come out of the blocks really fast; great, we see what they can do early, but can they sustain that over a long period? And you see them in different styles of games.
“And there’s also the versatility, can they play one or two positions? We’ll pick 35 for this first series, 24 (forwards), 15 backs. So, you’ve got to have a few guys that can play two, maybe three positions.
“And they get to do that at Super Rugby, so you might see them at seven, and then they play at eight a little bit more, or cover six. That versatility’s so important.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/scott-robertson-hints-at-powerful-springboks-inspired-tactical-switch-for-the-all-blacks-despite-the-risk-factors
