'You just can't hide': All Blacks assistant on not shying away from criticism

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan has been involved with the team long enough to understand that after a heavy loss, criticism is bound to come his coaching staff’s way.

This comes off the back of what was a disappointing record loss to the Springboks at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, where the visitors scored 36 unanswered points in the second half to secure a bonus point victory.

Ryan, who spoke to Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB on Sunday, was quick to take full responsibility for specific areas of the game, while understanding that his coaching staff can’t hide from the criticism.

“Yep, in all honesty, Jason, you just can’t hide and you know, I’ve been in probably the All Blacks as well, and that Twickenham Test a few years ago, and they gave us a decent score up there as well so it’s how we react from it.

“We were well off par, they played well, but we have to be a lot better, we have to look at ourselves really hard, and that starts from the coaching group and I know for myself, first and foremost, because I’m responsible,” Ryan told Newstalk ZB.

Ryan reveals that post match he was talking to Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones, who said that if Cheslin Kolbe doesn’t score that intercept, it’s a completely different game.

But Kolbe did gather the intercept, a moment Ryan says the All Blacks must learn from if they want to be more clinical with ball in hand.

“Well, we’ve got to address performing under pressure and obviously the moments that shift in this game so quick, like, you know, I was talking to Felix Jones after the game. He said if Cheslin Kolbe doesn’t get that intercept, it’s a different ball game.

“Then that’s a different score line, and then that’s pressure on them. Reality is, he did get it, and then that probably shifted the momentum as well.

“So look, we’ve got to secure the ball, we’ve got to look after the ball better than what we have been and address the decisions we’re making at key times.”

A talking point circulating after the loss is whether the All Blacks are getting enough from their on-field leadership, an idea Ryan isn’t sure about, saying there will need to be some honest conversations about it going forward.

“At times, I think that they will have a look at that as well when we’re calling our strategy what calls are made at the right time in the moment and I think that there’ll be some good, honest conversations there, there has to be.

“But everything starts from the coaching group, we lead it, we give them the information that they have to execute. So like I said, I’m only talking about my area so i’ll take ownership for the set piece side of it, and it’s got to be better.”