‘Freakish in the air’: Wallabies Coach Joe Schmidt Reveals the Springbok Player He Wants on His Team

Coach Joe Schmidt Reveals the Springbok Player He Wants on His Team

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has highlighted a Springboks player he would gladly borrow for this weekend’s Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks.

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Joe Schmidt Eyes All Blacks Test, Admits He Would “Borrow” Canan Moodie

Joe Schmidt admitted that if he could bring in one Springboks player for this Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks, it would be Canan Moodie.

Schmidt praised the young midfielder’s aerial ability and composure, joking that “borrowing” him would be a huge boost.

“We don’t have the same people. If we could borrow Canan Moodie maybe, some of his aerial stuff was just freakish.

I coached the likes of Caleb Clarke, he is freakish in the air, particularly above his head. You have got to get very high to get over him and so they didn’t quite have him ready to go, so that’s probably disappointing for us but I would be a big fan of Caleb’s so it’s great to see him back in the Test arena,” Schmidt said.

Reflecting on All Blacks Collapse

The build-up to Saturday’s Test has been dominated by New Zealand’s record 10-43 defeat to the Springboks in Wellington on September 13. Despite the criticism directed at Scott Robertson’s side, Schmidt insisted the All Blacks are far stronger than many believe.

“They are on the cusp of breaking things open. I know a lot of people will focus on the end result last time they played but 60 minutes in, I was sitting there with Mike Cron and Tom Donnelly… and we were all thinking the game is in the balance.”

Warning from Experience

Schmidt drew comparisons with his own side’s bruising loss to South Africa earlier in the tournament.

“South Africa did it to us; they just did it to us at the other end of the game. We couldn’t believe the first 18 minutes in Ellis Park; we were 22-0 down and wondering how to stop this green wave, and they won the first four balls in the air against us. So I know how quickly they can damage you, and they just got it at the other end of the game because until then they were right in the game.”

Wallabies Focus on Set-Piece Survival

Looking ahead to Eden Park, Schmidt acknowledged the challenge Australia face at the set-piece, admitting the Wallabies do not have the same level of power.

“They have a set-piece that is pretty formidable, and for us it was around survival against that set-piece. It’s not something that we have unless we borrow a few of their guys. I don’t see that in the rules.”