By Henry Lee, AUT Journalism Student
Life as the All Blacks’ coach isn’t always smooth sailing.
Scott “Razor” Robertson will seek improvements in key areas before two test matches against trans-Tasman rivals Australia.
After two tests against England, Argentina, and the Springboks in 2024, the All Blacks ultimately struggled to gain any cohesion with the ball in hand.
Bar the strong win over Fiji in San Diego, the All Blacks in 2024 have often been dominated in the contact area, bullied up front, and pressurized at set piece time.
Of course, the Springboks team is the best in the world.
England is revolutionizing their international team under Steve Borthwick, and Argentina bring passion and flair, but there has always been the expectation the All Blacks will overcome all of these challenges.
In 2024, many punters believed the All Blacks might lose 3 test matches throughout their full 14-match season, but with three losses out of seven games so far, expectations have taken a sudden halt.
The initial phase for the All Blacks under Robertson is over now, there’s no more bedding in new tactics, and no more learning the system, we must see improvements in the next couple of weeks.
Here are the improvements needed.
Backline continuity: Selections in the backline have been slightly conservative to start Robertson’s tenure.
Rieko Ioane has continued to underperform in a position key in the cohesion of the attack with the ball in hand, and there have always been questions about his ability to bring others into play, while effectively making decisions.
Robertson and co have kept their word by playing him at centre this week but might have to make the heavily debated move, to put Ioane back on the wing in the coming weeks.
Will Jordan must be at fullback. Like most, Robertson knows that but is likely still in awe about Beauden Barrett’s ever-lasting impact on this side.
Although Beauden Barrett will line up as the custodian this week, the All Blacks will eventually need the firepower of having Will Jordan at the back.
Jordan was relatively quiet for his standards in his first match at fullback this year, but we know his pre-injury form is a worthy first name on the team sheet selection. TJ Perenara’s story is inspiring, as is the comeback, and the leadership he shows on and off the field.
But there’s a time and a place, which TJ Perenara has used to disadvantage the All Blacks on multiple occasions, by complaining to the referee.
It’s the young bucks’ turn, not only to inject into the All Blacks some youthful vitality, but the ruck quickness and technical passing ability of both Hotham and Ratima is what is needed going forward.
Leadership: Is there a leader of men in the All Blacks? There are clearly enough leaders and experience on the pitch.
Is there anyone challenging the ref to be consistent throughout the game?
For example, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is often seen talking to the ref (politely), questioning the referee’s decisions, and challenging him to see their differing opinions on the field.
There was a video on social media of long-time strength and conditioning coach Nic Gill questioning the referee about a high tackle on midfielder Jordie Barrett, who was down injured, bleeding from his head.
The referee replied, “Not off your referral. You’re a medic”.Matthew Carley is spot on here, it shouldn’t come from him.
There’s also the frequent howls of complaints from experienced halfback TJ Perenara, who often believes his opinion is correct, sometimes it might be, but at this level, you just can’t stop the momentum of your team by giving away a penalty.
He complained to referee Andrew Brace a South African player was slowing down the ruck, as the All Blacks were approaching the twenty-two. Brace then penalised Perenara for shouting at him.
While it was a contentious decision, it’s hard to disagree here with the referee. This type of ill-discipline will continue to hurt the All Blacks going forward.
Are there too many leaders on the pitch?
Codie Taylor, Jordie Barett and Ardie Savea served as Vice Captains to Scott Barrett for the first Springboks test at Ellis Park.
Could it be a case of too many voices bringing different ideas and beliefs about the gameplan?
Whether there are too many leaders, not enough, or not enough quality ones, we’re yet to see the on-field leadership needed to take this team’s mindset to the next level.
Kicking tactics: Are the All Blacks turning into the Springboks of old, in-play kick, box kick, in-play kick, box kick, in that particular order?
We continue to see the All Blacks gift possession back to their opposition too easily.
The box kicks are often overhit, leading to an easy catch for the opposition fullback, or they don’t have enough distance, simply giving the ball to the other team.
These tiny skillset corrections can be crucial in a test match characterized by narrow margins.
The All Blacks are world-leading innovators, groundbreaking attacking powerhouses- at least you’d think so.
We haven’t seen the improvisation we were promised after Robertson took over from Ian Foster, whose uninspiring tactics remain in place so far in 2024.
The All Blacks must go to the air less, and gain an advantage using their natural ability out in the wide channels.
Create pressure up front by muscling up in the tight five getting over the advantage line to provide front-foot ball for Ratima and McKenzie’s familiar combination, which in turn creates time and space for the likes of Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke and Beauden Barrett to showcase their instinctive ability with the ball in hand.
New Zealand rugby fans haven’t begun to panic, but there’s a clear sense that they’re eager for a new direction.
The first Bledisloe Cup test is in Sydney this weekend at 5.45pm NZT before the second test in Wellington next Saturday at 7.05pm NZT.
Here’s the All Blacks lineup:
1. Ethan de Groot (26)
2. Codie Taylor (91)
3. Tyrel Lomax (38)
4. Scott Barrett (74) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (32)
6. Wallace Sititi (3)
7. SamCane(98)
8. Ardie Savea (88) (Vice Captain)
9. Cortez Ratima (6)
10. Damian McKenzie (54)
11. Caleb Clarke (23)
12. Jordie Barrett (64) (Vice Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (75)
14. Will Jordan (35)
15. Beauden Barrett (130)
16. Asafo Aumua (12)
17. Tamaiti Williams (12)
Pasilio Tosi (1)
19. Sam Darry (4)
20. Luke Jacobson (22)
21. TJ Perenara (85)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (77)
23. Sevu Reece (28)
