Ross ready for Springboks challenge

Young New Zealand lock Isaac Ross is expecting another stern examination at line-out time against South Africa in this weekend’s Tri-Nations clash in Bloemfontein.

Ross has been calling the line-outs in his debut international season and under his guidance it was one of the few areas to consistently function during the June matches against France and Italy.

But against Australia at Eden Park last weekend three line-outs were turned over with two the result of overthrows to the back by hooker Andrew Hore early in the game.

Ross, however, insists he is not fazed by the added responsibility of calling the line-out despite playing in his first Tri-Nations series and only having a handful of Test matches under his belt.

“With pressure comes expectation and I enjoy the pressure,” he said.

“It brings out the best in people and I enjoy calling the line-outs and if they don’t go to plan then that’s my fault and I have got no dramas with that.”

The All Blacks can certainly expect the blow torch to be applied in Bloemfontein on Saturday, with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha probably the best locking partnership in the world and loose forwards Juan Smith and Pierre Spies also offering the South Africans extra options at the back than the Wallabies had last weekend.

“They are big men but we have got a good D-system (defence) in place and we should go alright,” the 24-year-old Ross said.

“(Victor) runs a pretty good lineout and I have come up against him with the Bulls in the Super 14 and I presume he will be similar, but not the same.

“There are a lot of older heads in the Springboks lineout and it’s going to be a difficult challenge but we will be ready.”

Graham Henry names his team tomorrow.