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All Blacks get 'real honest' on another underwhelming forward pack performance
After five strong performances to start the year, the All Blacks forward pack has come under immense pressure in their last two outings from the huge South African and French outfits.
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There’s no way to compete in the Rugby World Cup without a dominant set piece, an area where New Zealand have traditionally excelled.
Also with a sterling track record is forwards coach Jason Ryan, a man with a reputation for never letting in lineout maul tries and conducting some of the world’s most clinical forwards units.
Ryan has helped the All Blacks pack turn a corner over the past 12 months, but World Cup time has turned up the heat and New Zealand weren’t up to the task in the opening match.
“I think that’s a real honest appraisal and I agree with you [that they need to step up],” Ryan responded to reporters’ comments in Lyon. “We know that this test match against Namibia is really important for us as a forward pack.”
As is the All Blacks way, any negatives from the match were framed as “learnings”, but that’s not to say Ryan isn’t willing to ask the hard questions of his team. Since joining the camp, the former Crusaders guru has implemented a higher standard of accountability and willingness to have difficult conversations.
Rugby World Cup
Pool A
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Italy
1
1
0
0
5
2
France
1
1
0
0
4
3
Uruguay
0
0
0
0
0
4
New Zealand
1
0
1
0
0
5
Namibia
1
0
1
0
0
Pool B
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Ireland
1
1
0
0
5
2
South Africa
1
1
0
0
4
3
Tonga
0
0
0
0
0
4
Scotland
1
0
1
0
0
5
Romania
1
0
1
0
0
Pool C
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Australia
1
1
0
0
5
2
Wales
1
1
0
0
5
3
Fiji
1
0
1
0
2
4
Portugal
0
0
0
0
0
5
Georgia
1
0
1
0
0
Pool D
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Japan
1
1
0
0
5
2
England
1
1
0
0
4
3
Samoa
0
0
0
0
0
4
Argentina
1
0
1
0
0
5
Chile
1
0
1
0
0
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As All Blacks legend Richie McCaw said after the France loss: “Keep positive, but be real about the things you need to fix.”
Positives from the match include improved discipline from the forward pack compared to their previous outing at Twickenham, a crucial step in the right direction for the team.
“If you look at the common themes of this World Cup it’s discipline, set piece pressure and kicking,” Ryan continued. “And I think we learned a couple of valuable lessons in all of those areas to be honest.
“What we’ve also noticed is the ball and the humidity, it’s quite greasy and the jerseys are really wet. There has been a couple of turnovers from ball carries from all teams and adjusting to that and training with wet balls is important for us.
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“It’s been said a couple of times; it’s probably going to be the closest World Cup there’s been in a while. All the teams are really raising the bar.”
The man who paid the price for the indiscipline at Twickenham was Scott Barrett, the influential lock who had a superb outing in the losing effort in Paris.
Barrett was adamant the engine room in the team was firing but admitted there was work to do to turn the results around.
“I don’t think we are lacking any determination,” he said. “There is plenty of hunger and drive in the group.
“Twickenham, that hurt I guess. We weren’t up to the mark there, we were well off physically, sort of out-powered. On Friday night (against France) particularly around the scrum there was a few little games being played but we’ve got to adapt.
“There is plenty of fuel in the tank. This group wants to keep getting better. There is no lack of drive off the back of that loss.”
The good news for the forwards is reinforcements are en route in the form of Ethan Blackadder. The nine-Test All Black is renowned for his work ethic and will add depth to the depleted loose forward stocks.
“Ethan, he will step in and bring plenty of energy and an engine that just keep chugging, like a diesel. That’s what he brings and the boys love what he does.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Danny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
35 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to comments