All Blacks must find greater desire to overcome Springboks in Greatest Rivalry Test series

All Blacks loose forward Simon Parker says New Zealand will need to “want it more” if they are to beat South Africa in the Greatest Rivalry Test series.

New Zealand are preparing for their first extended tour of South Africa in 30 years, with four Test matches against the Springboks scheduled during the visit. They will also face teams from South Africa’s United Rugby Championship competition.

Parker said the outcome of the series could be determined by a combination of physical contests, tactical decisions and, ultimately, which side shows the greater hunger to win.

“I think it will come down to a matter of things,” Parker said after the All Blacks’ training session on Monday.

“I suppose at the end of the day, it just comes down to whatever team shows up and whatever team wants it more.

“Sure, there’s plenty of battles and tactical awareness stuff that will come through, but at the end of the day, it’s the team that wants it.”

The All Blacks will begin their tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday evening. Although the match is not one of the four Tests against the Springboks, Parker said New Zealand would approach it with the same level of seriousness as an international fixture.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us,” Parker said.

“We treat every game in the All Blacks jersey as a Test match and one we look to go out and win, so really looking forward to getting out there,” he added.

The match at Cape Town kicks off at 19:00 on Friday and will provide New Zealand with its first opportunity to test itself in South African conditions during the tour.

Parker was also asked whether the physical intensity associated with South African rugby would be a decisive factor in the meetings between the two teams.

“Yeah, 100%. That’s part of their [South Africans] DNA, so it’s a battle we’re looking forward to.”

The Springboks’ reputation for power and physicality is expected to form a central part of the rivalry, but Parker indicated that New Zealand’s attitude would be just as important as its tactical preparation.

The All Blacks’ visit represents a lengthy stay in South Africa, where they will combine their four-Test programme with matches against the country’s United Rugby Championship sides. Their opening fixture against the Stormers will therefore serve as an early measure of their readiness before the series against the Springboks takes centre stage.

For Parker, however, the key requirement is straightforward: the team that arrives with the strongest desire, and consistently maintains it through the battles across the field, could have the decisive advantage.