Liam Napier: NZ Herald Rugby Correspondent previews the All Blacks v Stormers test

The Greatest Rivalry in sport is back. 

The All Blacks kick off their tour of South Africa tomorrow, taking on the Stormers. 

Coach Dave Rennie says that every player will get a chance to impress in the opening matches, and potentially get a spot in the Springbok test teams. 

NZ Herald Rugby Correspondent Liam Napier told Ryan Bridge they’re expecting to see a comfortable victory. 

He says the All Blacks a running out a second string team, but the Stormers are six weeks out from their domestic competition, and are missing nine Springbok players. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The greatest rivalry in sport is back. All Blacks kick
off their tour of South Africa tomorrow when they take
on the Stormers. Ready, he's saying, basically, every player will
get a chance to impress him in the opening matches.
Liam Napier, Herald's rugby correspondent, is in South Africa and
is with us now, Liam, Good morning, Good morning, Right,
how's it over there?

Speaker 2 (00:18):
It's good. So we're in Cape Town, one of the
great cities of the world. So yes, set, Liam, looking
forward to tomorrow's match.

Speaker 1 (00:25):
Is it weird that Artie's not there? Will they be
a little lost?

Speaker 2 (00:30):
I don't think so. He's been playing for eighteen months,
needed a rest and he'll come in ten days before
the opening Test. So chance for others to step up.
Patrick two plots captaining the team this weekend. Very second
string All Blacks team. But they've got three headouts before
that opening Test. So chance, as you say, for everyone
to get a run.

Speaker 1 (00:50):
And in terms of how tough these first games are
going to be compared to your opening matches of the
Nation's championship.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, significantly weaker opposition the Stormers this weekend, six weeks
out from their season they play in the Northern Hemisphere
and they're also missing nine spring Boks, so far from
full strength. But they all blacks, as I say, running
out a second string team, but you'd still expect the
comfortable victory this weekend.

Speaker 1 (01:21):
There's been a couple of stories over here about just
how many South Africans are supporting the All Blacks over there.
Is this just a beat up or are you seeing that?

Speaker 2 (01:33):
No, it's genuine. There's a historical element to this particular.
It's largely confined to Cape Town and it's a little
bit long winded, but basically, the Springboks were a symbol
of apartheid and it's a generational support for a lot
of South African fans in Cape Town. They's been passed

(01:57):
down through their generations. They affiliate with All Blacks. They
are very passionate. They had five thousand people turn up
to one of their open training sessions. They've got people
waiting for them outside their hotels, at public events, they
are swarmed of support. So it's very very genuine. Things
have changed a wee bit around the spring Box. They've

(02:17):
had the first black captain and Circlisi and that the
composition of that team has changed a lot over the years,
but in Cape Town the support for the All Blacks
remains very strong.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
Good stuff, Liam, Nice to have you on the show.
Liam Napier, the heralds Rugby correspondent.

Speaker 2 (02:32):
For more from Early Edition with Ryan Bridge.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
Listen live to news Talks. It'd be from five am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.