New Zealand captain Sam Cane believes there is “not a whole lot” they need to improve to get back into top form after four losses in their last five Tests.
Their recent run has left the team under fire back home with their 2023 Rugby World Cup preparations under a cloud.
Ireland’s historic 2-1 series win in New Zealand last month put head coach Ian Foster under enormous pressure but it was his assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar who got the boot and were replaced by forwards coach Jason Ryan.
Any immediate improvement will be tested by world champions South Africa in the opening match of the Rugby Championship that will be played at altitude in Nelspruit on Saturday.
“It may seem like there’s a lot to fix from the outside but in camp we have some clear focuses and often when you get those big things right a lot of the smaller things that may seem like issues sort themselves out,” Cane told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s important that we don’t focus on all these things going wrong because the truth is there aren’t a whole lot. With top teams it is small margins in games.
“In the last Test (against Ireland) we lost by 10 points (32-22) but we let them score two rolling maul tries, which for an All Black pack is something we don’t see as acceptable. Fix that and it is one big thing we have sorted out.”
New Zealand play their first Test in South Africa since 2018 and for some of the touring All Blacks it will be a new experience to face the Boks in their own backyard.
“It’s been a long time since we have been here. It is one of the things you took for granted when we were doing it twice a year. There are a few boys who are in South Africa for the first time,” Cane added.
“They (the Boks) have an incredible amount of depth in their squad. We know what to expect, a confrontational, physical battle.
“Big men coming around the corner, cleaning hard, and then the skill in the midfield and the backs. It’s up there with the best in the world. They are the full package.”
The teams will also clash in a second Rugby Championship encounter in Johannesburg on August 13.
WEST
Roar Guru
It’s been awhile since the Boks beat the ABs in SA, 2014. But despite that the All Blacks seem a completely different animal under Foster. I’m hoping the ABs can get on track, nothing better than beating the Boks at home especially when they play them at Ellis Park, but the ABs need a massive attitude adjustment
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
They don't need to change much is reassuring.
piru
Roar Rookie
I hope so Biltong, but unfortunately I think the best we can hope for is a 15/20 minute burst of brilliance and to mostly hold the green wave back - I can't see us dominating the game in a real sense.
Spew_81
Roar Rookie
I'm seeing parallels between Sam Cane and Michael Hooper. Questions regarding whether they are the best player in the position and constant promises of improvement which is just around the corner. If Sam Cane starts saying 'we trained really well, after a loss (I've heard Hooper say that one before). I will get more worried.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
To me they need to focus on ball retention and passing accurately and catching passes. 27 unforced errors in test 3 tells me they were lucky to only lose by 10. What would the score have been if it was Ireland that made 27 unforced errors.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I am sure Cane just said the thing about mauls to give an answer but hope the team is looking a bit deeper. Often teams treat the symptoms and not the conditions. What got Ireland the field position to score those mauls. I hope the squad have been focusing on the breakdown battle, for me that was where it was lost. Be it turnovers or the inability to slow opposition ball has been the big factor in all 4 defeats. Reduce the penalties there and they don't concede as many maul tries.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think he will come in to the squad against Arg.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Same here Piru!
Tooly
Roar Rookie
They need Damien McKenzie for some zip !
BackInBlack
Guest
I’d be worried if I was you. This isn’t a punch drunk England side, stumbling into a final your team are about to face. It’s an angry, backs-to-the-wall All Black side who have dominated the Boks for fun. Even with the burden of Foster as coach and Ioane at 13, I still think you’ll need a fresh change of underwear and box of tissues this weekend.
Wigeye
Guest
Yes my posts not against cane its across the board a fair bit to fix and a fair amount that can be seen from outside thats not working. We certainly lost that quality we always had the brains trust always ahead of the opposition. Yes the opposition is far better than before and that is good. When is the team announced?
Biltong
Guest
I am very nervous about this test match, in fact both test matches. Whilst everyone is talking the All Blacks down, they are ignoring the short comings of the Boks. New Zealand showed in the first test vs Ireland they only need a sliver of an opportunity and their individual brilliance shines through. I have seen many test matches where it looked like the Boks had the territory, the physicality and the possession, and yet came out as losers against the All Blacks. All that territory and possession doesn't mean a heck of a lot when playing NZ.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Cane looked great when he was surrounded by those work horses you mention. But to be fair, McCaw also helped those work horses to focus on what they did best.
Locke
Roar Rookie
That's right, the ABs haven't replaced work horses in the pack like Read, Kaino, Franks and Moody. Cane is often a lone soldier in the unglamourous elements of the game.
He’s certainly had a rough few weeks that’s for sure. Regarding Peter O’Mahony’s view of him in comparison to McCaw, I think it’s unfair to compare the two. The others around McCaw allowed him to do what he did best and I’m not sure that’s the case with Sam Cane. I think with some development and changes in the pack, it’d allow him to shine. Whether he’s the right man for the job is another question. I always think back to the example of where Gamble and Hooper where absolutely destroyed by the Chiefs, because the rest of the pack was too. Definitely a team effort.
piru
Roar Rookie
I certainly hope so, and I'm not about to stop supporting the black jersey and whoever has it on. Good luck boys
Decoy
Roar Rookie
Regardless of your opinion on Cane's form and suitability as captain, this is a man with his back to the wall, facing a challenge few people ever face. I respect that, and we should all take a step back and give him space to step up. If I were a selector he would not be on my team sheet, I'd have Ardie at 7, but I respect what he is facing and how he is conducting himself in the lead-up, and something deep inside of me will be rooting for him cometh the hour.
wigeye
Guest
So while we are spitting razor blades its no worries easy fix nothing to see here as you were we've got the boks tests in the bag. It certainly does look like a lot to fix from the outside try looseys ,1st5 ,fwd front row, not throwing in lineouts, penalties taking people out off the ball, cards undermanned . Hows that for a start.is it possible to get through a couple tests without cards. Give rm the 1st5 start
Puff
Roar Rookie
At times we all become lost in the rhetoric and the synopsis of slobber and opinion. SA has always been a challenge particularly at home; therefore nothing has changed for the visitors to this competitive cauldron. Both teams will leave it all on the paddock and one will depart with self satisfaction.
smoothy
Roar Rookie
Ignorance is bliss! :happy: