The All Blacks have got to look at changing their run-at- all-costs gameplan, especially against South Africa. Don’t get me wrong, it’s exciting to watch – that’s what rugby should be about and that’s one of the reasons why people like me have adored the All Blacks for all these years – but c’mon New Zealand, you can’t compromise losing points in the process.
Losing is part of the game of course, but how you lose in the end is also an important factor to consider.
I am getting impatient with this team. But I remain a dedicated All Black fan and I live in hope that they will sort out the mess.
The way they bumbled and fumbled in Durban at the weekend, had me scratching my head as to when I last – if ever – saw an All Black side so clueless in their approach. A poor display if ever there was one.
It was the same last week in Pretoria. New Zealand pride themselves on their tactical nous, but one’s just got to give it to the Boks – at the moment they are leading the pack in this regard.
Add to this their passion and will to win, makes for a winning combination – they’re not the World Champs for nothing.
I’ve still got to be convinced that Stephen Donald is the answer at pivot. Tactically, he is always found wanting and his distribution to the backs too slow and erratic.
The All Blacks reminded me of the saying: “Like a rabbit in headlights.” So unsure as to what else to do in the face of a marauding opposition over the past two weeks, they simply spilled the ball more times than any one of them can probably remember.
First of all, it was suicidal to run the ball in those conditions – at will.
Secondly, was there ever a Plan B in the armoury? No, from their approach this was clearly not the case.
Personally, and it’s only my opinion, is that Graham Henry and his management team are doing this side no good. They should be given the proverbial boot.
Then again, is this the best All Black team a proud New Zealand can put onto the park?
Leonard, Ellis, Kaino, Ross, and Donald to me, are not ready just yet, just too undercooked.
I am disappointed with the form of Rodney Soi’oalo. Yeah, even some of the leading players look off form. Sivivatu, Rockocko and a ballooning Weepu are disappointing us to say the least.
I’ve always known New Zealand to use their explosive backs as game-breakers. But isn’t that getting a little to obvious now for the opposition, what with all the video analysis and management structures at teams’ disposal?
What about the lineouts – can these lads not just be a bit more competitive, despite having to deal with the likes of Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
As one columnist put it, “you’ve got to earn the right to run the ball”. To see Mils and Joe both trying to run from their own tryline, was well, quite ridiculous. Even club players will be fined for doing that.
One person labelled the show as the “comic strip All Blacks”. I actually started laughing at the ludicrousness of it all at one stage.
The other thing is that that kind of suicidal approach (running from all angles) shows a scant respect for the Boks as the number one side in World rugby. Do you think a side as mobile as them would allow a side to run at them from every angle as New Zealand tried to do?
I think Henry must go … otherwise ‘God defend New Zealand’.
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