What All Blacks assistant coach wants to see improved before Wales clash

In what could have been a massive Test for the All Blacks to secure a Grand Slam against Wales in Cardiff, you now get the sense that fans and pundits around New Zealand just want to see some improvement from Scott Robertson’s side after their third defeat of the year.

The 33-19 defeat against Steve Borthwick’s side at Allianz Stadium in London not only has ruined the All Blacks’ chances of a Grand Slam, but it has piled the pressure onto this side ahead of what could be classified as a banana skin game, against a Wales team on the back of a victory against Japan.

Robertson’s side struggled to rectify their third-quarter woes, which once again came back to haunt them, like it did against Ireland and Scotland to start this end-of-year tour.

All Blacks assistant coach Tamati Ellison, who could be one of the candidates to take up a higher role when Jason Holland finishes up with the All Blacks this week, has pinpointed where his side will need to improve ahead of Wales.

Speaking to Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport radio show, Ellison says his players must work better together.

“I think a couple of structural things on the defensive side of the ball, just off the line out there and off the scrum, probably a couple of individual pieces, but also we need to do a better job of helping each other and be clear on who’s doing what pre scrum engagement, and before the ball comes out of the line out,” Ellison told Pine.

Against Ireland in Chicago, the All Blacks stalled in that all-important third quarter, while in London, England managed to score two tries to take the game away from Robertson’s side.

The 42-year-old assistant says that often teams are firing the first shot after halftime, which is putting them on the back foot straight away out of the changing sheds.

“I think in the game context, opposition teams have come out and really fired the first shot, so I think it’s important that we’re really clear on what that looks like, and that teams really come out after the half with that intent.

“At the same time, I thought they started with intent as well, regardless of the score, their collisions and their carrying, and clean, they did a really good job there.”

When asked about whether the players are actually executing the game plan the coaches are setting for them, the former Crusaders assistant explains that when the All Blacks are on the front foot with ball in hand, you see what the game plan is.

“Yeah I think when you see the boys play with speed, use their feet and you saw when we created those opportunities on the edges in the first half, it was really clear where the space was, and so we had more opportunities to get there as well. So, you know, I think we look really good in those moments.”