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'Abysmal': Buck Shelford slams All Blacks' skills

The All Blacks look on dejected during the International Test match between the All Blacks and Ireland. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Sir Buck Shelford has slammed the All Blacks as they prepare for the deciding test with Ireland in Wellington delivering a withering verdict on the team’s 23-12 defeat in Dunedin that squared the series.

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The manner of the defeat left one of the greatest ever All Blacks questioning the skills of the players and this will add to the pressure the team is facing as they head into the third test of a series that started with their 42-19 thumping win. However, Ireland bounced back in Dunedin aided by the All Blacks being reduced to 14 men following the red card for prop Angus Ta’avao.

Shelford was reported by Stuff saying: “We haven’t upped our game, in terms of our backs’ attack. Our catching and passing, at times, is horrific. For guys of this calibre, I just think it is abysmal.

Video Spacer

Sam Cane talks to media ahead of third test against Ireland in Wellington | All Blacks press conference

Video Spacer

Sam Cane talks to media ahead of third test against Ireland in Wellington | All Blacks press conference

“We didn’t lose by much but it was the way we lost. The turnover rate, the stupid penalties we gave away. Our discipline was terrible.”

The former captain has also been left unimpressed by the tactics and selections of head coach Ian Foster who has been given a contract to take the team to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. The Irish defeat saw the All Blacks drop to fourth in the World rankings – their lowest ever position. He said: “It is a hell of a job but he put his name forward for it. One of the things I thought when Mr Foster got the job was ‘what are we going to see that we haven’t seen before?’ And, to me, not a lot has changed.”

Shelford also pointed out a tactic being used by Ireland he wants the officials to deal with.”They [Ireland] are playing quite smart. When they go in for the tackle they always roll out our side of the ruck, trying to slow the ball down.

“We need to tell the referee ‘they are rolling out on our side all the time’.”

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6 Comments
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Vincent 1011 days ago

What would Shelford teach the players that he did well when he played - punching?

j
john 1011 days ago

'Wrong side of the ruck' Pot and kettle??

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Flankly 25 minutes ago
Late Makazole Mapimpi try earns the Sharks win away to Edinburgh

Jake White described this as the strongest Sharks lineup ever. There is no doubt that it is at least an impressive roster. They did win, which is obviously an achievement against a good Edinburgh side. However …


For much of the first half Edinburgh seemed easily able to create 2 on 1 opportunities on both wings, with the defensive wingers biting in on the inside runner and cover defence being AWOL. Conversely the Sharks showed little ability to get behind the Edinburgh defensive line, with the sole exception of a nicely-exploited Am mismatch against a second row (which led to the Fassi try).


In general the Sharks, with their full complement of Bok firepower, do not look that dangerous in attack, and while tackling was good on the whole and goal line defence was impressive at times, they were exhibiting surprising breakdowns in open play defensive structures.


Also, the Sharks continue to be inaccurate, with material impact on the scoreboard. Missing two very kickable penalties is not the way to be the best. It looked to me like the Sharks contestable kicks were not well enough executed, and were too hard to recover.


Not sure what the running attack was trying to do, but my guess is that they were trying to pull off a Harlequins-style bash-and-offload game off of 12 (Esterhuizen). That’s not a terrible idea with the personnel available, but it would require creativity and a precision on second phase that was not in evidence.


Lastly, you have to have better discipline. It’s great that the team can cope with a 13 vs 14 period (of almost 10 minutes), but smart teams a avoid cards.


Having said that it was great to see the win. I thought that Edinburgh were cynical and niggly. Always hanging around on the wrong side of the breakdown, lots of intentional obstruction, illegal dummying at the base of the ruck, etc. They played a dirty game and the ref tolerated it. Always good to see that not succeed.


Overall the “best Sharks lineup ever” scraped the win, but under-performed their Bok-laden potential. Again.

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