KEY POINTS:
Conjecture surrounds whether two teams bristling with strikepower out wide will take the easy option and employ safety first rugby tactics in the Tri-Nations test between the All Blacks and South Africa in Christchurch tonight.
Cold conditions are sure to play a part but it hasn't stopped both teams predicting the other will seek adventure at Jade Stadium.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry noted the Springboks went into their shell after opening up a 17-0 lead against the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend.
They eventually lost 17-25 and Henry predicted the lesson would not have been lost.
"Perhaps they didn't use the ball sufficiently to win the game in the finish," Henry said.
"You can't win test matches unless you start using the ball, perhaps they'll be more expansive this week.
"They've got three wingers in the back three and they'll look to attack from the back, I think."
Sharks winger JP Pietersen is an intriguing prospect at fullback, with livewire Jaco Pretorius joining the exciting Breyton Paulse on the wings.
The Springboks have delivered mixed messages this week, with new coach Johann Muller yesterday repeating the line of assistant coach Gert Smal that rugby was not a game for "sissies".
Such talk and the selection of kicking first five-eighth Derick Hougard suggests a battering ram approach and swarming defence.
Henry confirmed his side had spent time this week working on beating rushing defenders without taking the risks that had seen handling errors creep into recent tests.
Veteran blindside flanker Reuben Thorne, recalled this week in place of Jerry Collins, said the number of mistakes being made was dangerous against quality opposition.
"If we get it right it will be pretty exciting but at the moment there's just a few too many errors," Thorne said.
"We've talked about the likelihood of the conditions and a few tactics so we don't get carried away."
Those comments are a smokescreen if Springboks coach Jake White is to be believed.
White said the All Blacks had signposted their intentions with their selection of a backline full of ball runners.
"You can see exactly what they're going to be doing. They've picked all their athletes running in the backs, bringing back Doug Howlett, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Isaia Toeava; there's no secret that they want to give the ball a bit of air and move it," he said.
"We need to pick players who athletically are going to keep up with them.
"To get a guy like Jaco, who's an athlete and played sevens rugby, and JP, we've got to try to counter them in terms of their athletic ability.
"The All Blacks will play as wide as they can."
If the Springboks' main intentions are on slowing the hosts down, they may revert to the off-the-ball antics that have annoyed the New Zealanders in recent meetings.
Coach Graham Henry yesterday called on Australian referee Stuart Dickinson to monitor such play closely before a regular target such as All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw suffered serious injury.
McCaw did not know what to expect from a second-choice South African team loaded with players relatively new to test level.
"Some games are worse than others, it just depends on intensity and what's riding on it," he said.
"I'm not the only one who gets it and I'm sure other teams aren't either. It's not just us, everyone's trying to find a way of getting an advantage.
"You've just got to put your faith in the refs if things like that do happen."
- NZPA
