Patrick Tuipulotu insists the All Blacks will not accept the underdog tag as they prepare to face the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday. The 33-year-old lock, who featured in New Zealand's 50-19 victory over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld before being withdrawn in the 50th minute, believes the clash represents a meeting of the two best teams in world rugby.
"No, it doesn't feel like we're underdogs," Tuipulotu told reporters. "It does feel like the two best teams are going head to head. At the moment, we are vying for that number one spot. World Cups aside, this feels like a final for us."
The All Blacks have built momentum through successive victories over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls, though Tuipulotu acknowledged the step up in intensity awaiting them. "I think our coaches have been very good in terms of acknowledging we've had three games against club sides here, but we've got to be real in the fact that a Test match now awaits us, and there's a different intensity that comes with that," he said.
Head coach Dave Rennie, who replaced Scott Robertson last March, described the four-Test series as tougher than a World Cup. "Facing the Springboks will be great. Both sides will be about a year out from the World Cup when this series finishes so we will certainly learn a lot," Rennie said. The coach added that New Zealand could win the series "if we play at our best and force the Springboks to play below their best."