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‘It’s an advantage to us’: All Blacks embrace altitude ahead of third Test
Robbie Cuthbertson • September 2nd, 2026 2:10 pm
Damian McKenzie | Photo: Photosport
As if the Springboks weren't enough to contend with on the pitch, the All Blacks admit they're also being somewhat drowned out by the stands.
After falling 33-26 to the hosts in the second Test in the cacophony of Cape Town, All Blacks back Anton Lienert-Brown confessed communication will be more critical than ever key heading into Johannesburg.
“It’s very loud in the stadium and we can feel it," Lienert-Brown said.
“It is something that we've spoken about, and I guess comms need to be louder and clearer and even a bit of sign language out there that we can work on during the week.”
"I think that's where this week's really important is that we connect in smaller groups. If we can't hear each other out there, we've got a plan in place to make sure they know what call is going on.”
All Blacks assistant coach, Tamati Ellison, dampened concerns that the noise would be a factor for the upcoming Test.
“Plenty of noise alright," Ellison said.
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“But it’s like anything you hear at home when you’ve got six children, you can’t hear yourself think. So sometimes you’ve just got to get a wee bit closer and simplify the message.”
Ellison said that the team sticking to their processes and building on their continuity, will put them in good stead to overcome the occasion.
He also highlighted the need to better seize their chances in the third Test.
“I think we've seen the optimism in the game, the ability to play, the hard work to get set to take those opportunities.
"That's not going away so hopefully we can nail some more of those."
Much of the talk heading into the third test in Johannesburg was the altitude that the Test will be played at and how that would impact the All Blacks.
However, altitude doesn’t sound like a concern for Lienert-Brown, claiming it could be an advantage to the fast-finishing All Blacks.
“Us as a team, we've spent a lot of time up at the high veld so we know what it brings, and in a way, we think it's an advantage to us.
"We try to play at tempo, a fast game; we're an incredibly fit team,” Lienert-Brown said.
“We are looking forward to going back up there.”
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