'Damaged the jersey': Justin Marshall on the All Blacks' 2022
Former All Blacks captain Justin Marshall has been pulling no punches in his criticism of the New Zealand side’s 2022 international season. In his most recent interview, the 81-cap international shared his view that even a successful 2023 World Cup campaign would not excuse the historic losses incurred throughout 2022.
The eight wins that the All Blacks racked up this year inspired little optimism for Marshall, as the nature of the team’s four losses and single draw exposed the team as a dwindling threat to the emerging powerhouses of Ireland and France.
Those four losses will be remembered fondly in Ireland and Argentina, as the two nations claimed maiden victories on New Zealand soil. Ireland backed up their victory with another to clinch the Steinlager Series, their first series win in All Black territory.
For a team with one of the highest win rates in sporting history, winning just two of their first six games – after dropping their final two Tests the season prior – had much of the loyal Kiwi fanbase in panic mode. While an unbeaten run to end the year may have appeased some of that local audience, Marshall was adamant the legacy and status of the All Blacks jersey had suffered throughout the campaign.
“I certainly feel that that record this year is not adequate,” Marshall said on The Platform. “It’s not up to All Black standard.
“Of course creating history in a negative aspect never sits comfortably. Losing to Ireland for the first time on our own shores in a Test series and a Test match, losing to Argentina for the first time on our own shores, has damaged the jersey.
“If anybody wants to sit down in an argument with me about that, then good luck to them because I know what it’s like to carry the legacy of All Blacks gone in the past and these guys have let the jersey down because they’ve created history in the wrong way.”
While acknowledging the difficulty of the decision that was made, Marshall expressed disapproval of New Zealand Rugby’s conservatism in their coaching selection and then retention of Ian Foster amidst the criticism and poor results.
Reflecting on the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the former halfback said he “certainly saw the writing on the wall” in regard to the coaching setup needing a refresh but pointed to the players’ outpouring of support for Foster following the South Africa Tests as evidence of the support for foster also being significant.
Marshall was asked to grade the season on a scale from one to ten, as his partner in commentary, Grant Nisbett, had done a few days earlier. Nisbett had awarded the team a 6.5.
“The disappointment with the draw against England,” Marshall continued. “Dropping a Test match quite comfortably to South Africa in South Africa… One of the worst years they’ve had in the last decade if you ask me and a lot of inconsistency in there as well, they struggled against Japan, they struggled against Scotland for long periods. Yes, they got the wins but if you look at the micro elements of it, it wasn’t a cakewalk by any means.
“So at most I’m going to give them a six. They had some success, they still did find a way to win some of those Test matches but it didn’t fill me with great enthusiasm and massive confidence that we are going to be going to the Rugby World Cup in great form and a real threat to those teams that are at the top of the pedestal at World Rugby at the moment.
“For anybody feeling super confident about the side going into next year saying ‘we are finally through that little lull, we’re actually firing on all cylinders now, we’re assured of our starting XV’ – are we? I don’t think so.
“So that’s the reason and that’s a generous six, I’m just saying that because I don’t want to be too negative.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments