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Opinion
It has been a weird season for an All Blacks supporter. First it was good games with a positive style and the players free to express themselves.
Then it was followed by a completely different style and the players looking confused about their roles, individuals feeling like they had to change the game on their own, leading to mistakes and underwhelming performances.
The best New Zealand teams of the past had the fitness and stamina to outlast the opposition in the final 20 minutes of a game, their relentless pressure tiring the opposition both mentally and physically.
They had multiple leaders on the field that would continually communicate with other players, which kept the team focused and each individual fully understood what was expected of them.
If you look at the two most successful teams of the modern era, the 1987 and 2015 sides, every player had total understanding and fully trusted the coaches with their systems.
Brian Lochore and Steve Hansen understood the foundations and catalyst to achieving success, which can only happen if you have in-depth knowledge of the players and how their strengths make for a successful team.
You need a wider squad that understands these philosophies also. They need to be on board and understand that they are there to strengthen and motivate the team.
The current team is struggling with cohesion and playing proper structures continuously. There have been injuries but teams of the past dealt with that – just to look at the 2011 World Cup.
Ian Foster I have been critical of in the past, but after dismantling Argentina and Australia, I gave him credit for being consistent in both team selections and gameplan.
Ian Foster (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
But against Japan he got the players to kick the synthetic of the ball without having any just philosophy.
Japan gobbled the kicks up and ran back with purpose, and as a result put the Kiwis under unnecessary pressure.
The All Blacks did not do the obvious by spreading the ball wide to Sevu Reece and Caleb Clarke, who can beat the first tackler, especially when one on one. Instead both of the players had to come in off their wings to see any action.
Fewer kicks and more ball in hand and these two would have been more involved.
Japan used lineouts to attack and different variants to confuse the opposition. They played an All Black game against the All Blacks and bamboozled the opposition.
New Zealand did not suck in the defenders with multiple phase ball and using the inside channel. With the Japanese defence flat, the grubber kick was more extinct than the great moa.
The tour now starts properly and the other teams would have watched and seen positives with the style and pressure that Japan applied.
Foster needs to stop with the kicking, as this is not the nation’s style and never has been. Let the players have a proper gameplan to bring out their best.
The All Blacks will only be better for this experience – they need to be.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.