With the end of their northern hemisphere tour coming to a surprise defeat by the hands of the French, the All Blacks and the whole of New Zealand have come to a huge halt, and now serious questions are being raised.
With everything that has happened this year, with some great victories and some terrible games, let’s really have a look at where the All Blacks are as of right now.
If I were to rattle off a few weaknesses in this current All Blacks squad, there would be a handful of them. I will identify three in particular.
1. Combinations
There seem to be a few combinations that just aren’t clicking with the current All Blacks. The theory of testing and trying players on this tour was successful until the final two games, when they probably should’ve stuck with what worked against Wales and Italy.
There really isn’t a set midfield combination, which has been hurting the All Blacks since Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith left in 2015. Anton Lienert-Brown seems to be a lock – though in what jersey we still don’t know – and the other three players fighting it out still haven’t locked in a respective role.
Jordie Barrett (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The fullback position seems to be sewn up by Jordie Barrett, with Will Jordan all but locking down the right-wing position. The left wing seems to be open in perhaps a three-man race between George Bridge, Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece. Again, it’s a lack of stability in combos, as it’s hard to tell who’s best in that position.
The other weaker combination in the All Blacks right now is definitely the front row. Incumbents Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala have been labelled as soft at times, and when they come off there seems to be nowhere near the impact from players like George Bower, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Tyrel Lomax.
The lack of prop forward impact is a worrying sign for the men in black, who have always had a strike prop off their bench in their best years – in 2015 it was Ben Franks and Charlie Faumuina.
In regard to the hooking position, it has to be Dane Coles moving forward, as Codie Taylor’s biggest weakness seems to be more detrimental to the team down the stretch. The locking partnership of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock will hold as long as they want the spots, and the best back row trio was the lot who ran out against Wales, in Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papalii and Ardie Savea. Sam Cane is class, but he has a way to go to match it with Ardie or Dalton at this current time. Luke Jacobson has an eye for the No. 8 jersey, but for the time being that is the trio I would run with.
2. Style of play
When Steve Hansen took over in 2012 there was a very noticeable shift in the game plan. Graham Henry, his predecessor, was a very forward-based coach. He based his game on strong, gritty forwards who did the dirty work before he freed up the backs. When Hansen took over he expanded the game of rugby but created ball-playing forwards and a more expansive game than anyone had ever seen before. From 2012 until 2018 it was the All Blacks’ bread and butter, and they went on to a huge winning percentage over that time.
In 2019, however, the All Blacks did not change or evolve, and they ran into an English side ready to counter that style of play. They absolutely demoralised the All Blacks in the World Cup semi-final.
When Ian Foster took over in 2020, as noted by Hansen, Foster was the brains behind their attack, and you could see that the style of play was very much the same as Hansen’s – spreading the ball, using the field width and attacking in short passages as frequently as possible. For six or seven years it had been unstoppable, but teams have evolved and are doing it back on the All Blacks.
They must evolve and switch, as teams have learnt how to counter.
It was widely exposed, but pressure defence was the sole killer of the All Blacks this year. The one-off quick shovel forwards exchange was being met by a rush defence that shut the whole plan down. The All Blacks haven’t genuinely evolved their attack since 2012, and it’s time to do so, as teams are right with them in that style of play, as the results now show.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
All this leads me to my final point.
3. Ian Foster must go
Yep, you read that right. I know a lot of people will criticise me, but his methods are stale, his tactics aren’t enough anymore and he just doesn’t get it done. The All Blacks need a fresh environment, fresh input into their game and a creative new way to separate themselves from the pack. Foster isn’t it in my opinion and, in the opinion of a lot of Kiwis if social media is anything to go off.
To whoever is in charge of New Zealand Rugby Union: why would you re-sign a coach after beating only the Wallabies and the Pumas? Why would you not wait the year for the Springboks Tests and the northern hemisphere games? I guarantee if that extension had not been given after the Pumas Tests, Foster would be in the hot seat now, having lost two games in Europe.
The only option is Scott Robertson. It has to be. He’s fresh. He’s unique. He’s a proven winner on every level he’s coached at, and on top of all that, he breakdances!
There is a sudden confusion in the All Blacks, probably the first time in a long while. The talent is there; they just need to lock down the best combinations and stick with them to allow them to develop. Please look into Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson. He has to be introduced before he leaves and potentially haunts the All Blacks down the track.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
The ABs have lost their most recent test against every other team in the top 5. There’s a ‘fact’ for you, Jacko. However, they did give Tonga a right seeing to in their most recent encounter with them.
WEST
Roar Guru
I’m not sure Robertson will be the cure we’re looking for either. But Robertson with the right people around him might. Robertson still talks a lot with Wayne Smith, and many others for advice and ideas. Robertson needs quality people around him, like any good head coach does. I’d like to see Tony Brown or Jamie Joseph involved with the ABs.. Joe Schmidt could turn the Blues around and show how amazing NZ rugby could be.
WEST
Roar Guru
Wow.. That’s a very bleak outlook. I’m expecting another mix bag of results next year. Which will make everyone critical of Foster.. Unless Foster (with help from others), has revamped the All Blacks attack and defence over the summer… The ABs come out and finally address the accuracy and the clinical details that’s been stunting our growth for years! The rush defence that everyone is so obsessed with, is now the biggest weakness against the All Blacks. Once the ABs biggest obstacle, now the ABs biggest opportunity.. as they chip kick accurately into space or drive up the middle with vigour and use uncompromising forward power. There’s nothing the opposition can do to counter it!! Foster wins the RWC!!! But I’d still like him to step aside :laughing: But, I struggle to see Foster making the necessary decisions and adjustments to turn the All Blacks around over the break. As soon as they’re back in black we face the Irish in a home series. If that isn’t a clean sweep.. No one will respect Foster. Straight after that, we head to South Africa. Unless we had a very successful series with Ireland, it could get very ugly in SA. The All Blacks, must make the necessary adjustments to the ABs strategy ASAP. Foster has been screwing around for two seasons now.. Time to bite the bullet and go to work.
WEST
Roar Guru
Geezas… Foster will love hearing about this. Worst part is, we lost one of best coaches over the ditch.. probably for good. I’m hoping once he finishes up with the wallabies, heads north for a stint then comes back to NZ.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Wise words Socrates, very early days..
Tim
Roar Rookie
Hey there Willie, Agree that the ABs are a bit stale and have some problems but they are still formidable, however I do take issue with your disrespect for "only the Wallabies" comment. True they have been chronic underachievers these past years but we have had coaches that didn't pick and stick and thus combinations have not developed to our detriment. Rennie seems to be changing that and if we get our best players including from overseas back on deck and a bit of continuity, we will be a different proposition. We did beat the Boks twice this year, something the ABs and Lions couldn't manage. Our attack is on the up too. As I recall, we put about nine tries on the Blacks nd scored some nice meat pies in Europe so positive signs. The sands are shifting old mate, watch your back!!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Sadly I feel this scenario is largely prophetic and in all likely hood seems a very viable scenario. You should bookmark this mage so in a few years time you can come back and say 'I told you so'.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
A past easy draw for the NZ, or a hard draw that Aus pulled through don't change the relative difficulty in the draws in the upcoming RWC. No one said that NZ haven't had easy draws before or the Wallabies a hard one ( and one that they came through brilliantly I might add).
WEST
Roar Guru
Yep that’s also true.. NZRU isn’t putting in the effort required from grassroots up, by effort I mean we need to put a lot more resources into our youth if we want to be competitive these days. England and France have a far bigger budget and player pool than NZ could ever dream of! The coaching and player conditioning is helping the rest of the world catch up to NZ.. Now overtaking it. NZRU needs to take a serious look at itself, especially after this recent tour. Unfortunately NZ has a lot of old fashioned thinking, expect to win everything because we’re NZ. It’s worked out so far.. Why change anything! That’s not the case anymore, a lot more thinking is now required.. Also letting our best rugby thinkers going overseas needs to be looked at as well. Investing in our best coaches to keep them in NZ might be good start.. It’s an investment that will pay off in the long term. Otherwise the best we can hope for is to be in the top 10 teams.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Most test try's in a year. Most points in a year. 80% win rate. Write it how you like but not 1 team had a better year than the ABs. NONE... Who had a better year NH? NZ won the Bledisloe and the RC. Aus got owned. SA got owned France and Ireland failed in the 6N Wales won the 6N but got beaten badly by NZ and SA.
NH Fan
Guest
The double winning squad was built off the back of a strong Super Rugby where OZ, SA and NZ were 3/4 top teams in the world and all their players were home based. NZ also had a great u20s team every year meaning that old players were improving or being overtaken by younger players. None of that s true any more and since 2015 England, Ireland and Wales have been No1 while quiet a few of the best players from NZ, Oz and SA play outside Super Rugby. NZ u20s has also weakened.
NH Fan
Guest
Not so simple. Rennie at Glasgow played fast ball but once it got into a physical battle his team fell apart. NZ against running teams do great but once teams front up they fall apart. So not sure Rennie fixes the issues for NZ but he suits Oz style.
NH Fan
Guest
Ireland only lost 2 but I guess they could only bulk up wins against 2 T2 teams while half the team was away on the Lions. How do you like stats like couldn't score against Italy for 30mins because they were to aggressive, or the number of penalties/turnovers conceeded by NZ in Fiji game 1. In both those games it showed NZ have a breakdown issue.
NH Fan
Guest
The bits you overlook are SA played the Lions, Oz played France while NZ played Tonga and Fiji missing many of their European players. Add in a USA team who lost to Uraguary, Wales missing half their players and the worst 6N team in Italy. NZ had only 3 losses but they were 3/4 that mattered. I doubt NZRU think the 100 point scores v Tonga and USA are the ones that matter or yet another win v a young Oz team.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
Buckle up AB’s fans, we’re in for long period of mediocrity. Genuinely great players have gone, other greats have worn out, a wear that is only going to increase over the next two years, and we have a coach I wouldnt rate in the top 10 NZ coaches actively coaching, a man who has absolutely no idea how to reinvigorate the team. I wasn’t being facetious in my previous post about Foster being in charge for 8 years. If he gets the AB’s to the RWC 2023 final he will be reappointed to 2027 irrespective of how rough the ride. Dont think that could happen? The Crusaders are measurably the best club team in OZ and NZ https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/108787818/crusaders-crowned-australasias-best-team-of-the-past-quarter-of-a-century That is a rating that would only have improved in the last three years. Yet they went throught 8 long years of mediocrity, reappointing Blackadder twice despite his failure to get a single championship, and despite the fact he had a massive amount of talent. NZR refuse to give the AB’s job to coaches without international experience. Since 1966 there has only been one AB’s head coach who was not first an AB selector/coach, or an international head coach: Laurie Mains. Every other one of them has been required to “Do His Time”. So my guess for post Foster outside the current panel, either 2023 or 2027? Jamie Joseph. He’s the only one qualified, at least as far as NZR is concerned.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300134979/sir-graham-henry-says-dave-rennie-should-have-been-the-new-all-blacks-coach Yes from a guy who was on the panel that appointed Foster. At least he comes out and says it was a mistake
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300134979/sir-graham-henry-says-dave-rennie-should-have-been-the-new-all-blacks-coach
scrum
Roar Rookie
I notice the remark about the Wallabies draw. Perhaps a trip down memory lane will bring back some of the easy draws the ABs have had in previous World Cups. Or the Pool of Death that the Aussies had in 2015.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
I'm gonna make a prediction, and having made it hopefully it won't come true. All Blacks to stagger through to RWC 2023 largely untested by real competition, with Ireland's tour in 2022 cancelled by Covid, SA forced to play RC in OZ or NZ for the same reason, possibly in 2023 as well, and the loss to England at the end of 2022 excused by the usual "the boys are tired" cliche. AB's play France in opening an it goes in an entirely predicable way, with France winning easily. AB's lose their first ever WC group game, are ripped to bits in the media, are told they can't win their quarterfinal, then do, beating an aging Springboks or an Ireland that yet again gets stage fright. They then beat the Wallabies [who have the easiest draw ever created] in the lighweights semi while teh heavyweights semi between France and England, the defacto final, results in a narrow victory to France. Or England. The winner then cruises to victory over the AB's in the final. The upshot? Foster reapplies for the AB's job and gets it, held aloft by chants of "Got Through to the Final" and "Learnings Learnt" and "Sir Graham Had Two Goes" and "Get in Behind!" from Sir Shag. Foster is given another two year contract, which we all know mean's four, and Scott Robertson is lost to NZ rugby forever. As I said, here's hoping that having said it, it won't happen. But all the AB's have to do is win one game, and its odds on.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Didnt lose 3 in a row James. Get your facts right. ABs are 2nd James. Get your facts right. Won 12 from 15 James....Best results of any nation. I do love facts James. Particully when they prove me 100% correct in which team had the most successful year eh James... I love it when you are wrong!!!