Ex-All Blacks Boss Casts Doubt Over ‘Gold Standard’ Springboks After Controversial Try
In a heated rugby debate, former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains has thrown a shadow of doubt over the so-called "gold standard" reputation of the Springboks.
Despite South Africa’s recent triumphs, including their Rugby Championship win and their nail-biting 12-11 victory over New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup final, Mains has questioned whether they are truly the team to beat.
South Africa’s 2024 Rugby Championship campaign further cemented their status as one of the top teams, dominating Argentina in a 48-7 win to seal the title. Yet, despite their success, Laurie Mains isn’t entirely convinced. He points to the two Tests played between the All Blacks and Springboks, suggesting that the outcome could have been very different had it not been for a crucial referee error.
Speaking on The Platform, Mains boldly claimed, “But for a lack of a TMO call when South Africa were given a try that they never scored, we would have won that Test match.” He emphasized that this key decision prevented New Zealand from claiming a well-deserved win and led to the current narrative that South Africa is the best team in the world.
The Springboks have managed to defeat the All Blacks in their last four encounters, a run that has stretched into 2024. However, Mains isn’t ready to admit that South Africa is superior, arguing that the All Blacks were close in both matches. “We played them two times over there and could have won both of the Test matches, and should have won one of them,” he said.
While many may view the Springboks as rugby's reigning kings, Mains is not alone in his assessment. Some fans and pundits have expressed similar concerns about the consistency of officiating during high-stakes matches and how key decisions, like the controversial try, can skew the narrative.
While the Springboks continue to bask in their success, Mains remains optimistic about the All Blacks’ trajectory under new coach Scott Robertson. He believes that with some fine-tuning and the introduction of young talent, New Zealand is not far from reclaiming their throne in world rugby. “Give them a year or two to develop a little bit more, and I think we are going to be looking very good,” Mains added.
Despite being out of the title race in the final rounds of the Rugby Championship, Robertson's All Blacks finished strong, defeating Australia 33-13. The win in Wellington not only helped the All Blacks end the tournament on a high but also showcased the team’s defensive resilience, a quality that Mains praised. “There’s good spirit in this All Black team. They may not have performed to their best, but there’s a real spirit there and they’re sorting a few things out,” Mains noted.
Though the Springboks are the reigning World Cup and Rugby Championship holders, they have dropped below Ireland in the World Rugby rankings. Mains believes that the All Blacks could soon surpass them as well. With Ireland currently holding the top spot, it begs the question: Can the Springboks maintain their dominance, or is their grip on the "gold standard" slipping?
As the global rugby landscape continues to shift, one thing is clear—teams like the All Blacks and Ireland are on a mission to topple South Africa from their pedestal. And with Robertson at the helm and rising stars in the squad, the All Blacks might just be the team to do it.
With the controversies swirling and challenges mounting, the next few years in rugby promise to be exciting. The Springboks might be on top now, but as Mains suggests, their reign might not be as secure as it seems.
Is it only a matter of time before the All Blacks reclaim their title as rugby’s best? Share your thoughts and let the debate continue!
