Tyrel Lomax expects intense scrum battle against Bulls

All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax believes the upcoming match against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus will require a high level of intensity at the scrum. He expects the set-piece to be a central part of the contest on Saturday.

Lomax is returning to the lineup after missing the first two matches of the South African tour. He had been sidelined while recovering his fitness following a deep knee injury suffered during the Nations Championship Test against Ireland.

The New Zealand forward noted that the Bulls possess a set-piece culture similar to that of the Springboks. He observed that while the All Blacks prefer an expansive and fast style of play, South African rugby often treats the set-piece with the seriousness of a Test match.

The All Blacks have already played the Stormers and the Sharks during this tour. Lomax mentioned that the team struggled with scrums, mauls, and lineouts against the Stormers, resulting in several penalties. However, the squad showed improvement in their set-piece execution during their recent game against the Sharks.

Facing Johan Ackermann’s Bulls represents another test for the New Zealand set-piece. Lomax expressed excitement about returning to the field with the forward pack after spending the previous two matches working with tackle bags. He indicated that the team was satisfied with how their set-piece functioned in their last outing.