By Jamie Wall of RNZ
Two-time World Cup-winning captain and Crusaders legend Richie McCaw is back with the All Blacks, although his role with the team is unclear.
While it is not unusual for former players to pop back in and be a part of the training environment, McCaw's presence did prompt Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus to wonder if he is helping with All Blacks training.
"I think Richie McCaw might have also been with him last week. The way they were to breakdown, they were awesome at the breakdown," said Erasmus, referring to the All Blacks' performances in the 24-17 result at Eden Park.
McCaw's presence was confirmed today by All Blacks assistant coach Tamati Ellison.
"He's a legend … you'd have to ask the players, he wasn't at training specifically. But his legacy lives on and they were real intense around that breakdown so it shows the boys care about that legacy," Ellison said at the NZCIS training base.
"You could see Wayne Smith's hand in there, the way they put pressure on our box kicks."
The Springboks have made seven changes to their side, rolling out almost an entirely different starting backline for this weekend's test in Wellington.
Only wing Cheslin Kolbe remains, although Erasmus has prior form when it comes to tinkering with his lineup after naming it on Mondays.
He also said that changes were coming regardless of the result in Auckland, with an eye on the World Cup in two years.
"It would have been paradise if we won last weekend and we still could have made the changes, which was the plan," Erasmus said.
"Not a lot of players get the opportunity to play New Zealand and after this game, we probably only have the year of the World Cup (cycle) where we're playing them away here.
"So the plan was to try and win and then also give some (players) the pressure of playing against the top team currently in the world. Maybe not so many ... but definitely we would have made changes."
Erasmus also said the blame was equally shared between the players and staff for the loss, which he put down to a poor start and lack of control in key moments.
"We all know there were a lot of guys that didn't play well and there are a lot of coaches who didn't coach well last week, including myself.
"If I have to look at the positives (with the way) the game ended, it almost felt like the World Cup, that Ireland pool match where we clawed ourselves back into the game and then we didn't score at the end.
"I thought the guys that came on brought a lot of energy and brought a lot of fight, which after 15 minutes, you know, we were 14-0 down and then they only scored another 10 points, which is irrelevant. We lost the game and that's the bottom line."
