Sir John Kirwan: Former All Black on the dominant win over the Sharks, Greatest Rivalry Tour

The All Blacks have blitzed the Sharks 54-nil at a soaked Durban to go two wins from two matches on their rugby tour of South Africa. 

New Zealand ran in eight tries, six of which came in the second half. 

Former All Black Sir John Kirwan believes the side is making progress in preparing for how to shut down the Springboks in the first test on Sunday week.  

He told Mike Hosking they’re breaking down how the South Africans play and the counters are starting to take shape – a better kicking game, kicking behind them, and trying to break down the closing of the gate defence. 

Kirwan says they’re building in the right direction. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
All Black Sharks raining no one turned up. We won
by a mile. I think I've got that right to
John Coowan's with us. Permittedly, John Morning.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
You got that right, mate, you got that right. Did
you enjoy it? Yeah? That Actually, I'll tell you what.
I nearly cried when I saw may do the haker
to the boys. I just think that was a very
very special moment and a special moment for everybody. But yeah,
just I think we're rambling on. We're rambling on. I
thought the team played incredibly well. The most important thing

(00:27):
for the All Blacks would be the zero against the Sharks,
So yeah, take it. Move on.

Speaker 1 (00:32):
What do I see as Dave Rennie with some of
the people I put out in the field looking to
see something. Did I see enough to put anyone in
the test site?

Speaker 2 (00:40):
I don't think yet. I think what Dave Rennie's doing
is creating competition within the team, which you needed to do.
So when you think about Reubin Love had another strong game,
You've got players that are debuting. So all of a sudden,
you get up tomorrow morning, whether you're in the side
or not, you're thinking, shit, am I going to make
the Test side? And that's what we need to create.
We need to create internal competition. So I think he's

(01:02):
ticked that boxes, you know, and going, this is what
I want to create it and he's doing.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
That quite perfect. So from the two games so far,
are we building up ahead of steam that makes us
believe that the South Africans are there for the taking
in the Republic.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
I don't think they're there for the taking, but I
think what we're seeing today, what I like today Mike
was a different kicking game. I think we're seeing stuff
that they are saying, we need to break down how
the South Africans play because they've got a DNA and
we're seeing those things starting to take shape better kicking game,
kicking behind them, try and break down their closing of

(01:38):
the gate defense. Say yeah, I think we're building in
the right direction and it's going to be an epic,
epic test.

Speaker 1 (01:43):
Seriously, I think that is true. Good on you, mate,
nice to catch up. Go well, sir John Cowan, who
is spending some time in Italy at the moment. For
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