The All Blacks have welcomed back mastercoach Sir Wayne Smith into the fold to help with their preparations ahead of their Springboks Test at Eden Park.
The ex-All Black assistant has a long and storied history with the team over a 16-year period, as well as the Black Ferns, coming out of retirement to coach at the 2021 Rugby World Cup.
Robertson revealed that Smith had this week targeted as the time he would join the camp ahead of such an occasion.
He says Sir Wayne is good, he has just got so much wisdom. 30 odd years in the business at the top level, he brings little bits of gold.
While his last time in an official capacity with the All Blacks was in 2017 under former head coach Steve Hansen, Smith has maintained relationships with the team and current players.
He joined the squad last year in Wellington ahead of the second Bledisloe Test which was Sam Cane and TJ Perenara’s 100th All Blacks Tests.
In what might be a positive omen for the team, they won that fixture 33-13 with one of the best performances of Robertson’s first year in charge.
Robertson has embraced the pressure of this Test which will be his first game against the Springboks on home soil, and third overall after losing his first two away last year.
The All Blacks play the Springboks at 7.05pm Saturday at Eden Park.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies play Los Pumas at 4.30pm Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
[Source: RugbyPass]
