England will be the blockbuster, but Scotland is the banana peel for the All Blacks
The All Blacks head into their Northern tour a much more settled outfit after coming home with a wet sail through the most turbulent home season in recent memory.
The worst seems over as the side has rapidly improved on the back of a historic home series loss to Ireland, claiming a Rugby Championship title for the second straight season and third straight SANZAAR title.
That seismic series loss to Ireland led to a tense, but ultimately much-needed second look at where this team was headed, which in all likelihood, was a quarterfinal exit in France next year.
With the benefit of hindsight, the assistants do seem to have played a massive part in this unravelling.
Tasked with most of the field work during trainings, honing the finer details and holding players to account in the search of perfect execution, the assistants play a much larger role in the machine than most realise.
When those conversations go amiss and details aren’t corrected, players left unsure or confused, it can go horribly wrong and yet no one in charge can quite figure out why.
The All Blacks were a talented side that look disjointed, lacking technical accuracy in just about everything, and most notably, looking rigid and lacking ingenuity in how they wanted to play.
The promotion of Joe Schmidt from selector to assistant has clearly had the desired impact with the former Ireland head coach a stickler for accuracy and minor details that led to exponential returns.
Unfortunately for Ian Foster, he is in a lose-lose situation now in terms of his stature with the public.
Given how his hand-picked coaching team crashed and burned, if they go on to win the World Cup, most will be grateful to Jason Ryan and Schmidt for rescuing the sinking ship.
If they lose, many will lay fault on Foster for digging a hole too deep to get out of.
Although the lack of minutes for fringe players has been a criticism, the side has benefitted from continuity in the selections.
They needed to build cohesion and the only way to do that is to continue to play, ideally under direction from a taskmaster who can identify and sort out the issues.
Rieko Ioane went from a ball-hogging, artificial midfielder to a genuine No 13 with world class touch in the space of a couple months. Will Jordan finally got enough ball to ensure New Zealand’s best rugby player could actually make an impact.
Richie Mo’unga finally got things clicking and began to play with loose freedom, in a good way, with the shackles of doubt and indecision removed. David Havili showed flashes and they finally used his skills in a way that suit, instead of asking him to truck up carries into much larger midfielders.
Jordie Barrett got a run at No 12 and looked like the bruising option that has been sorely missed. His line running was direct, his carries were strong and his hits in defence were stronger.
However, the sample size is too small to rubber stamp a permanent position move for Barrett. The All Blacks need that kind of performance against the likes of South Africa, France or England, sides that are defensively up for it.
The Twickenham test against a fit Manu Tuilagi would be a golden opportunity for Barrett to solidify his midfield credentials.
Beauden Barrett has been playing at fullback a little more, even starting there in the final test against the Wallabies, yet no one is talking about whether ‘dual playmakers’ work or not, a sign things are clicking.
Up front the sea change in the front row worked wonders immediately, picking hard workers who can nail their roles across the park. This lift in energy from a younger, more mobile front row immediately raised the standard of All Black play.
Samisoni Taukei’aho has been the find of the season for the All Blacks, without a doubt. His power in the carry left opposition forwards reeling, giving front foot ball while his accurate throwing at lineout time cemented a starting role going forward.
The makings of a champion side are there, but bigger scalps must be taken on the path to the top. They won’t get a chance to avenge their losses to France or Ireland until the World Cup, and will have only one more against South Africa.
This end of year tour with tests against Japan, Wales, Scotland and England can help restore the All Blacks’ reputation in Europe again.
The 2018 tour featured a win over England by a whisker, before a shock defeat to Ireland in Dublin.
The 2021 edition started well with a 54-16 defeat of Wales, albeit outside the international window, before crushing back-to-back defeats to Ireland and France to finish the year.
Their last dominant end of year tour in Europe came five years ago, in 2017, when they handsomely beat France, got past Scotland in a tight one and blitzed Wales.
Rieko Ioane scooped up the Breakthrough Player of the Year award, while Beauden Barrett bagged his second consecutive World Player of the Year crown.
It has been awhile since the All Blacks swept all before them up North and that outcome this year would still be considered a pleasant surprise in New Zealand.
Most would pick the England test as the toughest of this tour, and it will be tough, but Scotland is the less fancied opponent that can cause problems going under the radar, even without mercurial flyhalf Finn Russell.
Scotland were one Stuart Hogg-miracle try and conversion away from a historic win back in 2017, before a Barrett cover tackle scuppered Scottish hopes at the death by barrelling the fullback over the sideline.
This Edinburgh test has been a long time coming and this Scotland side has been strong in recent years, matching and beating a faltering England side twice, even beating France in Paris in last year’s Six Nations.
In 2020 during Russell’s first enforced sabbatical, the combination of Adam Hastings and Stuart Hogg worked incredibly well during the Six Nations, with Hastings offering similar playmaking upside in attack without the inevitable catastrophic plays Russell can bring.
Why Hastings was then dropped when Russell returned in 2021 was a mystery, but if he is back at No 10 he will do more good than harm for Scotland.
England will be the blockbuster test, but Scotland is the banana peel Foster does not want to step on right before the big dance at Twickenham.
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments