Dave Rennie has drawn a line under the scrum war of words with Rassie Erasmus, declaring the matter now rests with referee Nika Amashukeli ahead of Saturday's third Test at FNB Stadium.
The All Blacks coach revealed his matchday squad on Thursday, making targeted changes in response to last week's 26-33 defeat in Cape Town. Asafo Aumua comes in at hooker for tour captain Codie Taylor, Sam Darry starts at lock with Fabian Holland shifting to the bench, and Rennie has gone with a heavy front row of Tyrel Lomax, Aumua and George Bower — a clear signal of intent at scrum time.
After Cape Town, Rennie publicly accused the Boks of 'walking around' in the scrum, drawing a sharp rebuke from Erasmus at a media conference and further pushback from Springbok scrum coach Daan Human. Rennie maintained he was entitled to raise the issue through the media given World Rugby's communication protocols with officials.
"I said what I thought... It's a competitive environment; we are certainly not going out of our way to create narratives," Rennie said. "Rassie and I had a beer immediately after the game. I don't see it as a war of words between him and me. I've said a couple of things, he's said a couple of things. That's footy."
The All Blacks have since submitted clips to the officials and Rennie indicated the Boks did likewise. "I've made comments, we've shared stuff with the officials, and I think the Springboks have done the same thing. It's now up to the referee and his support staff to referee what he sees in front of him."
Beyond the scrum, Rennie identified the high-ball contest as a second priority area. Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker dominated that battle in Cape Town, and Rennie acknowledged the Boks will look to exploit it again. "We've done a lot of work on it. When we've got it right, we can be pretty lethal. They are very good in that area, and we know they're going to put a lot more up."