'Certain arrogance': Why the All Blacks didn't shoot for a drop goal against the Wallabies
Jonny Wilkinson, Hugo Porta and Naas Botha would have snapped a dropped goal in similar circumstances.
So would Dan Carter and Grant Fox, for that matter.
We are, of course, talking about the dropped goal that didn’t happen during the dying throes of Bledisloe One in Wellington. Neither the All Blacks nor the Wallabies opted for a pot, which would have broken the deadlock for either side in those last, frantic seven or eight minutes.
The All Blacks, it must be said, were better positioned, and were forming rucks almost right between the uprights as the drama unfolded.
Why did they not attempt a dropped goal to break the deadlock and win the game? The fact they did not deserve to win the match is neither here nor there. Professional sport is about winning, finding a way to win, even if you do not deserve the result.
Ian Foster was never going to hang his playmakers, notably Richie Mo’unga, out to dry, but he did tend to fudge the issue, admitting they were set up for the pot but backing a call from Jordie Barrett for another option.
And yet the Wallabies’ defence had proven tight as a drum for most of the contest. The All Blacks eschewed a late penalty shot at goal, before Sam Cane told Barrett to shoot for an easier goal in the 77th minute. That made it 16-all. The All Blacks were not thinking of a draw at that stage. When Reece Hodge let fly with his 54m penalty goal attempt as time wound down, they were thinking about a loss. To their credit, they did the right things under pressure in working field position while guarding the ball with their life.
Why, then, did Mo’unga not snap the goal when it was on? This aversion to dropped goals is mystifying. Carter, one of the most attacking-minded first fives of all time, won a test against Ireland in Christchurch back in 2012 by taking a calm three points to break a 19-all deadlock. He kicked 19 dropped goals in his long first-class career.
That pales into insignificance, though, when you consider that Barry Fairbrother of South Canterbury holds the NZ record with 61, at better than a pot every two games. Fox kicked 47, Andrew Mehrtens 54, though one miss – in the 1995 RWC final – will haunt him for all time.
In 1984, Jean-Patrick Lescarboura famously missed four late pots at Lancaster Park as France pushed the All Blacks 10-9. He was inconsolable, but just needed to be better under pressure.
Do not forget that the 1986 Baby Blacks snapped three dropped goals – shared by Frano Botica and Greg Cooper – to shade France, whose nine points all came from pots by the same Lescarboura.
There is a certain arrogance in saying that you are good enough to score a try in the 85th minute of an even contest in the wind and rain against a staunch and committed defence. There is an easier option, if your skill is up to it, and it’s the winning option.
The All Blacks do not appear to have learned from history. In 2007, the lost a Rugby World Cup quarter-final they did not deserve to win due to a slavish adherence to a ball in hand philosophy which was not paying dividends against a desperate French side and a referee that was not blowing his whistle.
But there were signs that this blinkered thinking was changing. In 2018, Beauden Barrett slotted two dropped goals in consecutive test weeks on the northern tour. The three points were effectively the difference in the 16-15 victory over England.
The introduction of golden point into Super Rugby Aotearoa saw several successful dropped goal attempts this season, though only Bryn Gatland’s for the Highlanders against the Chefs could be called a match-winner. Still, it showed kickers were thinking about it and, just as importantly, practising it regularly.
It would be nice to think you can beat every side you play by scoring sparkling tries by the bucketful. Life is not that simple, and there are several ways to win a game of rugby.
Even last season, there were, by my count, just five successful drop goals attempts in New Zealand first-class rugby, and one was by North Otago prop Ralph Darling in the Meads Cup final.
Foster admitted that the All Blacks had, astonishingly, not even practised the option during test week. Dave Rennie said the Wallabies had practised it, but nothing came of it in Wellington.
We know this much: both teams will be assiduously practising kicking dropped goals this week. For if we find ourselves in the same situation at around 5.45pm this Sunday on the Garden of Eden, someone is going to take the easy option and win it for his team.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to comments