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Beauden Barrett: ‘It’s not like someone’s died but it’s probably the next worst thing’
Some of the biggest names in All Blacks rugby have opened up on last year’s disastrous series defeat to Ireland in New Zealand, with Dane Coles saying he “couldn’t escape” scrutiny.
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The All Blacks opened their 2022 international season with a comfortable win over northern hemisphere powerhouse Ireland at the fortress that is Eden Park.
But that triumphant victory was practically forgotten a week later. For the first time ever, the All Blacks were beaten by Ireland on New Zealand soil.
Playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, the All Blacks failed to overcome a slow start as they went down swinging 12-23 in the second Test. The three-match series was off to a decider.
The All Blacks had only lost a series four times on New Zealand soil, and hadn’t lost back-to-back home Tests since 1998.
But records are made to be broken. The All Blacks were outmuscled and outplayed as the Irish recorded a historic 32-22 win in Wellington.
“It’s not like someone’s died but it’s probably the next worst thing,” Beauden Barrett said on the NZR+ docuseries All Blacks: In Their Own Words. “It’s not easy but it’s not supposed to be either.”
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“Picked up my son from daycare and even the daycare teacher was ripping into me,” Dane Coles added. “I couldn’t escape it.”
Ireland didn’t need to rely on luck in the series decider, they were simply the better team. New Zealand, both the team and nation, were left shocked and distraught.
Dating back to their end-of-season tour the year before, which included losses to Ireland and France, the All Blacks had lost four of their last five Tests – and as we now know, more pain was on the way.
“We had this expectation to win like the All Blacks do and we didn’t,” Ardie Savea said. “For me at that time like I was hurting, just in my heart, it was probably the right to do was to apologise.”
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“We failed our mission and we fell on the wrong side of history,” playmaker Richie Mo’unga explained. “We let the country down big time.”
But the All Blacks have turned a corner this year, and appear to be tracking well ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand have won all four of their Tests in 2023, and they’ve claimed victory in style too. Argentina, South Africa and Australia were all beaten, convincingly, by their rugby rivals.
The All Blacks play World Champions South Africa in a World Cup warmup Test at Twickenham next weekend, before opening their tournament against hosts France early next month.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 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…
1 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!
3 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 …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
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