Why aren't the All Blacks playing like the All Blacks?

Refereeing has become more forensic and the “black”arts are being caught out

Because the opposition is better . When the ABs were playing like the ABs they had 1 or 2 challengers at any given time . Nowadays any of Wallabies , Boks,Pumas,France,Ireland and England would fancy their chances .

Highlander, England targeted the Semi v NZ for 2 years. That was because the ABs played exactely the same way every time. Im hoping this constant plan changing is to keep the opposition guessing and they pull out the ultimate plan when they need to. ( Aus game 2, SA game 2 Arg game 2 ) and I believe watching the Japan game that the plan was actually to kick Japan the ball and defend your butts off. I dont see what we would have gained by beating Japan easily with a fantastic game plan but it ended being a lot closer v Japan than they believed I think. It just seems odd that they play so well with some game plans and so bloody average with clearly very different plans. I cant believe they arnt seeing that so have to believe they have their reasons for playing that way.

Not sure why you say that CW as they were hugs all round after the Bledisloe games and looked to be getting on very well.

Ah, maybe because the All Blacks are entitled to lose and experience what every other team in World Rugby goes through: losing. What, are the kiwis not allowed to lose? Seems they are dependent on winning at all costs to defend their brand that was recently sold off...

It’s been a problem that for any number of reasons too many players have been unavailable this year. The team V Japan was a rusty B side. AB’s haven’t found greater continuity, cohesion and consistency because selections either haven’t been justified (Props v Ireland/ Assistant coaches V Ireland etc.) or team selections haven’t been settled - is more the reason to why they aren’t playing like AB’s. But it’s become clear who the best 23 are and it’s time to play them every test to WC - injuries and otherwise unavailables will give backups enough game time. With ALB the backline is settled it’s either him or Havilli at 12 - one exception, after looking great there Jordie should be tested again at 12 against a tough England he has the kick game also and Beauden is best at 15 where he gets the space he plays better with and isn’t as good a play maker as Ritchie at 10. The calm, composed and accurate RTS could’ve maybe been a hit at 15, playing him at 12 with no stepping space doesn’t make sense. The new front rowers have been a generation improvement on the plodders we started the season with and hopefully Aumua shows he’s up there now as no. 2 or 3 hooker since Coles won’t make it to WC and Taylor isn’t consistent anymore it seems. Tupou Vaii is is the only guy they should be playing more often for experience sake and testing against the NH best because come WC it’s uncertain Retallick will be injury free or consistent in form which seems to be dropping off. Also, Scott B is the best 6 backup if injury prone Frizzell is out. Papali’i now has an open field to show he’s better and more consistent than Sam Cane but Foster is a loyal guy and would find it very hard to drop Cane anyway however Papali’i seems to have a similar work rate and tackle efficiency but greater mobility and ball skill and Sam Whitelock is a very good leader and astute decision maker and may prove in the next few tests to be a bit of a change up over Cane, who hasn’t been able to change things on field which you’d like to see a captain be able to do like Ritchie McCaw was able to effect.

Foster and his trash gameplan

I agree with some of that. I think the decline is still more 'relative' than 'absolute,' though. The ABs still have the ability to win the next RWC. But, you're right. Between 2010-2016 the ABs would have had at least 6 of a starting 8 world XV pack. Now only Savea could even make a strong case.

Exactly Funbus this years NZ wins against Argentina and Australia ( No. 9 and No 10 ranked teams) at home have papered over the cracks that this the weakest All Black team in maybe 30yrs. Let’s be honest Aussie won the game in Australia, it was a shocking ref decision. Everyone is blaming Foster but they’ll soon be blaming Schmidt and Ryan as well as the Kiwis simply don’t have the cattle. No real bruisers in that NZ forward pack. No team fears the AB’s anymore. There is not a single AB who would come close to a World 23 squad right now. Japan showed no respect do you think the bigger Euro teams will? And it’s not changing anytime soon. The game has shifted North. South Africa have evolved to realise this and the darkness have been left in the dark ages. The slide has been slow and now it’s quickened in pace. I am putting money on Wales this weekend.

Team selection needs to be consistent! I’m expecting to see Havili & Reiko back in the midfield. Papalii, Frizzell and Ardie back at 8. Jordie Barrett at fullback (also to cover midfield) Will Jordan, Clarke on wings. The front row changed. Ethan De Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrel Lomax. It has to be consistent for the rest of the year. Also.. Ireland vs Springboks.. how good is this going to be! France vs Wallabies! Come on Wallabies! I hope they beat France :silly: Oh! Mo’unga… Didn’t do himself any favours on the weekend. But I expect him to start at 10, with BB who is the vice captain against Wales.. I expect BB to have a big role to play against Wales.

My comment was a little tongue in cheek, SM. However, some of the rhetoric used to come close to implying it - no doubt unwittingly. :happy:

Well, that comment by Jamie Joseph was pretty accurate. The ABs are only a shadow of their former selves. Not really much of a threat, not much to be afraid of. The players aren’t scary or aggressive. The game plan by the All Blacks is easily counted. Any team can either beat them.. Or like Japan can get close. However, if the ABs do click and the opposition has an off day then the ABs can punish you. But depending on the opposition having an off day is wishful thinking, seems to be part of Fosters tactics! Instead of using the players skill, keeping the tactics simple, pick n goes. Go straighter on attack, draw the defenders in more with our big ball carriers. This tactic of going wide, kicking to no one, hoping the opposition makes mistakes to feed off is a lost cause. Back to basics. Keep it simple, get the front work done first. Then start spreading it more.

A good read. My tuppence worth might also suggest that we panicked after the EOYT last year. We got beaten by teams primed whereas we were running on empty tanks. It had been a long year for us. NZ as a rugby playing nation will always prefer to attack rather than attempt to win through size & attrition. Yet the knee jerk reaction early this year was to attempt to adopt the NH game. Bulk up our front 8, kick for position & work from there. It hasn't worked as in truth it is not in our DNA. The rugby world has not caught up with NZ rugby, we have simply regressed back to them. Apart from possibly France who else in the world has seriously improved in the last 24 months ? None of the home nations were even worth watching in the 6N yet in NZ we have felt it important we pick the eyes out of the NH game & implement in our own. Rugby suicide IMO which only evens up the playing field. We have traditionally produced the most explosive players in the world in most backline positions yet currently we are suffocating our outsides with this mindless kicking game that simply gives the opposition breathing space whilst stifling their natural games.

I think he lacks experience. Sure he was a good school player but the jump from school to NPC then Super then International is huge and he just hasn't had the time to assimilate the differences. SBW had 2 years in France before coming back and playing for the Crusaders and then after proving himself making the ABs. RTS has been thrown in the deep end and is failing. I think the NZRFU have actually let him down