All Blacks prop George Bower is pumped for a bruising scrum battle against the Springboks at FNB Stadium this Saturday, bursting with enthusiasm when discussing his favorite part of the game.
"Oh, I love to scrum. I want to scrum," declared Bower, dismissing any notion that New Zealand might shy away from a gritty showdown in the trenches.
"We want to challenge them, and I know my back five want to scrum too."
Bower shows considerable respect for his South African counterparts, praising them as top-tier scrummagers. Yet, the New Zealanders are still figuring out how to best their formidable foes after two face-offs.
"It's been pretty good because we've tried to find solutions and elevate our scrum to another level," he explained, eager to see which team's forward pack will dominate during the upcoming match.
Detailing the Springboks' scrum tactics, Bower noted they favor direct confrontation, poised to shift angles unpredictably to gain an edge.
"You have to be really connected as a front row because you never know which way the scrum is going to go."
Bower believes the secret to countering the Springboks' dynamic scrum lies in maintaining cohesion and technique among his teammates.
"For us as a pack, we just have to focus on our connection and tightness, our brace and our set, and hopefully that nullifies what the South Africans bring this weekend."
Underscoring the importance of winning the initial collision and the set-piece, Bower acknowledged, these elements can tip the scales in terms of dominance and referee decisions.
This veteran player, at 34, views his advancing age as an asset, enhancing his game savvy. A piece of advice from the scrum coach resonates with him.
"I’ve been telling myself I’m getting a bit older, but a wise man [scrum coach Jason Ryan] once told me people reach their prime strength at 38."
Bower also praised hooker Asafo Aumua, set to start this weekend, describing him as a powerful presence likely to make an early impact against the Springboks.
"Yeah, 100%. You can see it in his intent, his actions, his carries, and his tackles. He can really spark a light for the boys. That’s definitely a strength of his."
As talk fades, the anticipation builds for the showdown when words will cede to action. Bower concludes: "The first scrum will do the talking."
