Moodie On Facing All Blacks At Eden Park: “A Different Feel”
Springbok utility back Canan Moodie says that facing the All Blacks at their historic fortress, Eden Park, feels different, despite his unblemished record against them.
The two rugby powerhouses are set to clash in the third match of the Rugby Championship, with both teams having a win and a loss from their first two matches.
If Moodie is named in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ match-23 squad on Thursday, it will be his 17th Test cap and the first of two matches against their archrivals in New Zealand.
At just 22 years old, Moodie is the youngest player in the touring squad, but he has already faced the All Blacks twice. The Springboks won both encounters: an 18-12 victory in the Rugby Championship in Cape Town last year and a record-breaking 35-7 win in London during a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up game, where Moodie scored one of the tries.
Even with the Springboks on a four-match winning streak against the All Blacks, Moodie admits there’s a different aura around the match, which is scheduled to kick off at 09:05 on Saturday at Eden Park.
“I’ve played against the All Blacks twice before, at Allianz Stadium Twickenham and at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, but the magnitude of this match at Eden Park is huge – it’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Moodie.
“I remember waking up early in the morning to watch matches between the Springboks and All Blacks back in South Africa growing up, and to possibly have the opportunity to play this weekend is huge.”
This trip to New Zealand is Moodie’s first to the land of the long white cloud, and although he’s enjoying the city, he admitted overcoming the jetlag and adapting to the different time zones was a challenge, but one that he looked forward to.
“It’s intimidating playing in Auckland and especially at Eden Park, and given the enormity of this match (given the history between the teams and playing at this ground), it’s something else,” said Moodie.
“Both teams have a lot to play for. It’s an important match for the All Blacks, especially with this possibly marking Ardie Savea’s 100th Test, but also know what we know what we have to do going into this game.
“This is a vital match for us as well, and we’ll go out there and give everything we can to win.”
The former Junior Springbok speedster was not phased about whether he was to slot in at centre or wing, saying: “I enjoy both positions. It’s simply a case of making the mind shift according to the position I’ll be playing early in the week, so it’s literally just about making that switch.”
The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport – kick-off on Saturday is at 09:05 (SA time).
