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'That hurts': Scott Robertson reacts to defeat in Argentina
By Ben Smith
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson concedes the All Blacks ‘have to be better’ after their 29-23 defeat at the hands of the Pumas in Buenos Aires.
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At 13-all at half-time the All Blacks did well to hold Argentina out while down two players, with Beauden Barrett producing two incredible cover tackles.
But back to 15 men they couldn’t stop Argentina arresting control, with an aerial meltdown the catalyst for Pumas to take the game through aerial supremacy.
“Firstly, well done to them and congratulations, that hurts; it’s tough,” Robertson told ESPN.
Robertson said the defeat stung on a night the All Blacks were celebrating hooker Codie Taylor’s 100th Test match.
He couldn’t pinpoint the exact reasons why for the loss and said they will have to ‘look deep’ in their post-match review.
“We wanted to put on a show for Codie, and we didn’t get what we wanted. We’re gonna have to look deep,” he said.
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“This competition is tough; anyone can win on the day, and you have to be at your best. We have to be better.”
Although goal-kicking did play a part, with Santiago Carreras completed a perfect 5/5 after taking duties from Tomas Albornoz, while Beauden Barrett had an off-night from the tee missing many kicks.
Captain Scott Barrett conceded that discipline handed too much to the home side, with three yellow cards ‘not helping’ while they conceded frequently on defence for being offside and at the breakdown.
“They [Argentina] showed more passion and intensity tonight. They got over the gainline, and we gave away too many penalties to feed their game; we were outclassed tonight,” said Barrett.
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“It certainly doesn’t help [losing three players], and I thought we showed a lot of urgency to hold them out just before half-time, though.
“There’ll be a bit of pain within this group during the week and we need to bounce and carry this and be better. Well done to the Pumas.”
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