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'We were off': All Blacks' flaws revealed in loss against Argentina
By Henry Lee
Scott Robertson and his coaching staff will have more than enough time to pick apart their performance on their day long journey back to New Zealand in the coming days, after a 29-23 defeat against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
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The ill-discipline is likely the biggest frustration for Robertson and co, after referee Nic Berry gave the All Blacks three yellow cards: two for intentional knockdowns, and one for Will Jordan, who impeded and changed his line to stop an Argentinian attacker.
Four former All Blacks have discussed the loss on Sky Sport after the Test match in Buenos Aires, where they have criticised the tactics the All Blacks used on Sunday morning.
81-Test former All Black Justin Marshall admits the All Blacks definitely had intent in Buenos Aires, but questions whether the tactics were used effectively against Argentina.
“I think they certainly had intent, no doubt about it, every time we pull the All Black jersey on there’s intent and particularly when history is on the line.
“I just think tactically, on the day, we just were off. We didn’t have enough moments in the game where we were able to dictate, whereas Argentina did.”
World Cup winning former All Black first-five Donald explains that the emotion in the next couple of weeks will be as big as a World Cup Final match.
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“When you have a loss, you never want to have a loss, but, geez, it sharpens things up and there won’t be any stone unturned in the next two weeks.
“They’ve got 20 hours on a plane to have a look at the computers, they won’t be able to avoid it and I guess the state of this game now, I mean, you can already feel it when you’re talking about it the emotion will be as big as anything outside of a World Cup final match.”
23-Test All Black Angus Ta’avao still has full confidence in the All Blacks goinf forward, especially in two weeks time when the Springboks play Robertson’s side at Eden Park.
“I’m still 100% backing that the boys can get this job done, I know we’ve probably wavered a bit, shaking a little bit in our confidence and belief.
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“But I know that come two weeks time when South Africa walks into town at Eden Park, 1937 that’s a hell of a record and it’s not just about that, but the boys know what they’re coming up against.
“They know how they’re going to prepare, they’re going to look at this that, Jason Ryan, all those guys are going to break down on how they can be better, and they will be,” Ta’avao said.
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