Dave Rennie was encouraged by the All Blacks' 50-19 demolition of the Bulls at Loftus — 11 line breaks to one, a dominant scrum, improved discipline — but was blunt that the intensity they'll face in next Saturday's first Test is "three, four, or fivefold" greater. He's making wholesale changes from the Bulls side, with Roigard and Will Jordan returning from injury. Damian McKenzie is touch-and-go after an ankle knock against the Sharks, though Rennie acknowledged several players pushed their cases for Test selection with strong performances at altitude. The key read here is Rennie's framing: the tour matches were preparation for the Boks, and he knows his side still needs to shift gears significantly.
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Rennie: Bulls win was 'almost like training for the Springboks'
Rennie was satisfied with the All Blacks' controlled performance against the Bulls but openly acknowledged the step up required for next week's first Test — wholesale changes coming, Roigard and Jordan back, McKenzie uncertain.
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