Current crop of All Blacks have lost physical edge claims former Ireland six
Former Ireland back row Stephen Ferris believes that this generation of All Blacks don’t have the physical edge of former New Zealand teams.
A British & Irish Lion in 2009, Ferris faced the All Blacks in 2008 and 2010, scoring a try in the latter, a 38-18 loss in Dublin. Speaking on the RugbyPass’ The Offload podcast, the former blindside says that the current crop of New Zealand players are just not quite as scary as previous iterations of the team.
“I played against Jerome Kaino. Jerome Kaino was 115 to 120kgs of pure brutality. Now they’re playing Papalii, who looks 105, 108kgs.
“Kieran Read was 112 – 114kgs, runs very fast, never takes a backward step.
“Ardie Savea is a freakshow of an athlete. We all know how explosive and powerful he is, but it just feels like they’ve went away a little bit from the huge physicality that they brought to matches.
“When I played against them, it was just ferocious. Even Richie McCaw, he wasn’t someone that went around banging boys but it was what he brought to the breakdown.
“I just don’t think that they have that at the minute. With Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock in the second row, they don’t seem to be at the peak of their powers, as they were six or seven years ago.
“Then you had the Frank brothers in the front row. Mealamu at hooker. They’re [the current All Blacks] just missing that little bit of physicality.
“You look at all the leagues around the world. It’s the biggest, strongest, fittest, most powerful teams that are winning everything these days. Maybe that’s what they need to revert back to. Just a little bit.”
The former British & Irish Lions loose forward believes that Foster could yet be replaced by former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, but only if New Zealand lose the series on Saturday.
“All the chat here in Ireland is because Joe Schmidt has been hanging around – obviously with the Blues doing very well all season – then he sort of stepped into Foster’s boots when he had his Covid scare.
“There was chat that he [Schmidt] wasn’t going to be at the first Test. Then he was there doing all the interviews etc I think that all the success that Joe Schmidt had with Ireland, the Kiwis are like why are we not employing this guy?
“If he can do this with the Irish players and we feel that we have the better quality of players, then what could he do for us? That’s the opinions that are floating around here at home.
“On the ground [in NZ] I heard from Alan Quinlan, a friend of mine in commentary side for Sky at the minute, he said it’s like someone had died over there this week, just because New Zealand got their arses handed to them by Ireland.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens this week and to hear Ian Foster’s pre-match and post-matches interviews, especially if it doesn’t go to plan.
Ferris was asked by the panel does he think it was too late to sack Foster this close to a Rugby World Cup.
“I’m not so sure. With someone like Joe Schmidt who’s been in the camp already, it wouldn’t be a loss to cut someone loose and kick on.
“If it doesn’t go to plan the All Blacks arguably the best side in the world – not producing at home when they’re all supposed to be fresh and rocking and rolling, I think there could be a big decision made.
Ferris predicts the All Blacks will win in Wellington in the final Test – by a margin of around nine points.
“I don’t think they’re going to lose, that’s why I think Ian Foster will last to the World Cup”.
“We’ve seen it before with lots of teams. when you get such a big win, create history, all the hype that comes with it, the adrenaline that comes with that. The boys will be patting themselves on the backs on Monday and Tuesday.
“You can maybe take your eye off the ball a little bit.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments