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The changes Scott Robertson must make to address All Blacks’ struggles

By Finn Morton
Coach Scott Robertson and captain Ardie Savea of New Zealand speaks to media during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Sky Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

When All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and captain Scott Barrett walked into the post-match press conference at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium earlier this month, it was hard to think of new questions to ask. Blame it on déjà vu – it felt like we’d all been in that room before.

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The All Blacks had just gone down 18-12 to the world champion Springboks in what can be labelled both a frustrating and disappointing defeat from that team’s perspective. They had chances to silence the passionate South African crowd but failed to do so when it counted.

The All Blacks had been in a similar situation one week earlier.

Johannesburg’s world-renowned rugby venue, Emirates Airline Park, hosted another enthralling battle between last year’s Rugby World Cup finalists. The All Blacks should’ve won that Test, but the Springboks’ famed ‘bomb squad’ came up trumps when it counted.

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Replacements Kwagga Smith and Grant Willams scored a try each as the Springboks clawed their way back from a 10-point deficit late. They ended up winning 31-27 at Ellis Park, and the reaction from the crowd at full-time was like nothing this writer had ever experienced before.

It was a shock to watch the New Zealanders do something very un-All Blacks in that Test, and then to see them do it again after making the two-hour trip down to The Mother City, was unsettling.

There are some issues the All Blacks need to address.

All year, this team has failed to click in the way fans expect of them. Their two wins over England were far from convincing, and splitting a two-Test series with Argentina in New Zealand wasn’t on many fans’ 2024 bingo cards.

They’ve lost three of their last four.

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The All Blacks have also failed to score in the last 20 minutes of Tests on four occasions this year. It wasn’t that long ago that New Zealand’s bench was the secret to their success, but now it’s far from that – it’s actually become a problem.

‘Impact’ players on the pine have come on and failed to fire.

Sam Darry wasn’t even used at all in the Cape Town Test.

There are questions that Scott Robertsons still needs to answer.

But, before anyone gathers their pitchforks in response to the All Blacks’ two defeats to the Springboks, there’s a golden opportunity for the Kiwis to bounce back. They’ll take on arch-rivals the Wallabies in two Bledisloe Cup Tests later this month.

It has the makings of a really intriguing Test series, with the Aussies looking to bounce back from a record loss of their own to Argentina. But make no mistake, the All Blacks need to get their bench right before heading north for their end-of-year tour.

To do that, Robertson needs to make some changes.

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First, Wallace Sititi was the star of the show for the New Zealanders in Cape Town. Sititi was a bit of an unknown to South Africans before that Test, but they won’t forget about the three-cap All Black anytime soon after that performance.

That was Sititi’s first outing as a starter at international level. It was also only the third time he’d started at blindside flanker in professional rugby – the other two were with North Harbour in the NPC.

Is he the next Jerome Kaino? Okay, let’s not get too carried away.

But the point stands, Sititi was brilliant and must start moving forward.

Let’s not forget about Ethan Blackadder, though, who was the All Blacks’ best in the No. 6 jumper just seven days earlier in Johannesburg. Blackadder picked up a hamstring injury which opened the door for Sitit’s opportunity.

To keep it simple, both men must start moving forward.

Sititi at No. 8 and Blackadder at blindside.

But what about Ardie Savea?

There’s been some criticism of Savea at No. 8 and if we’re being honest, it’s probably fair to a point. The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year hasn’t been as impactful this year at the back of the scrum, so it might be time for a change.

When Blackadder returns at blindside flanker, moving Sititi to his more familiar position of No. 8 just makes sense. Savea can then return to openside flanker.

“(Savea has) been a workhorse, but to me it’s not an impact as an eight, it’s more like a seven,” former All Black Jeff Wilson explained on The Breakdown.

“High tackle count, you know he’s getting himself involved in the game. We know he fights hard and he competes and he competes.

“But it’s about the role everyone plays (together), and it’s the role the No. 6 plays, and I don’t think Wallace Sititi is a No. 6, I think he’s a No. 8. I think the type of explosive runner he is, I’d be happy if Ardie had a Test at seven. I really would, in terms of getting balance.”

That change would likely push former captain Sam Cane to the bench.

Cane came off the bench in the All Blacks’ big win over Los Pumas in Auckland and had himself a game. The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner was one of the top tacklers on the night, despite playing significantly fewer minutes than other players on both teams.

If the All Blacks have learnt anything over the last few weeks, hopefully, they understand they need more experience and impact on the bench. Cane can certainly provide that on a reliable basis before hanging up the international boots at the end of the year.

The rest of the bench should remain as it was in Cape Town, except for the inclusion of Harry Plummer. Plummer can be the difference for the All Blacks as they look to close out Tests with a cool, calm and collected option at first five-eighth.

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Plummer showed during the Blues’ run to title glory in Super Rugby Pacific that he’s a winning option at flyhalf. Without being especially exciting compared to the likes of Damian McKenzie, Plummer was reliable time and time again for the eventual champions.

It’s exactly what the All Blacks need in the last 20 minutes.

McKenzie is a brilliant player but he hasn’t delivered in the final quarter.

That’s a problem.

Plummer can be the answer. He also covers 12 and 15, which is a bonus.

That change should see Beauden Barret return to the starting side.

The Will Jordan experiment at fullback didn’t work in Cape Town. Jordan is a try-scoring machine on the right wing, but with the 15 on his back, the 26-year-old struggled to get things going with Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece on the edges.

If something isn’t broken, don’t try and fix it.

Jordan back to the right wing, Beauden Barrett at fullback, and Caleb Clarke should return down the left sideline when he’s recovered from a back injury.

The bench was a big talking point in South Africa, but a new approach, innovation and maybe an element of surprise is needed to solve the team’s big problem moving forward.

That press conference in Cape Town felt far too familiar, but take the learnings and move on.

The All Blacks have quality at their disposal, and it’s important they look at the bench as a position rather than a backup to the first team. If selected on the bench, Cane and Plummer can help the All Blacks address their lack of dominance and execution in the final quarter.

What the All Blacks’ bench should look like

  1. Asafo Aumua (Samisoni Taukei’aho when fit)
  2. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
  3. Fletcher Newell
  4. Sam Darry
  5. Sam Cane
  6. TJ Perenara (Cam Roigard should start when fit)
  7. Harry Plummer
  8. Anton Lienert-Brown

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

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Comments

18 Comments
L
LJ 17 days ago

IMO D Mac is not a No10 and he is to unreliable as a kicker. BB better at both by far.

G
GH 17 days ago

We should dominate in every area of the game. Up front out wide & in the middle, early & late in the game, including the after match. Drink from the cup.

B
B 18 days ago

All will be revealed Thursday afternoon and we'll be the more wiser.

N
Nickers 18 days ago

Hopefully Robertson and co aren't applying this type of thinking to their selections, although some of their moves this year have suggested that might be the case.


The first half of Foster's tenure, when he was surrounded by coaches who were not up to the task, was disastrous due to this type of reactionary chopping and changing. No clear plan of the direction of travel or what needs to be built to get there. Just constant tinkering. A player gets dropped one week, on the bench the next, back to starting the next, dropped for the next week again. Add in injuries and other variations of this selection pattern, combined with vastly different game plans from one week to the next and it's no wonder the team isn't clicking on attack and are making incredibly basic errors on both sides of the ball.


When Schmidt and Ryan got involved selections became far more consistent and the game plan far simpler and the dividends were instant, and they accepted bad performances as part of building towards the world cup. They were able to distinguish between bad plans and bad execution and by the time the finals rolled around they were playing their best rugby as a team.


Chopping and changing the team each week sends the signal that you don't really know what you are doing or why, and you are just reacting to what happened last week, selecting a team to replay the previous game rather than preparing for the next one and building for the future.

T
Tk 17 days ago

Unfortunately this is exactly what's happening. I think that razor had a grand plan but it hasn't gone his way and now he is reacting (poorly) to what is in front of him each week

T
The One 18 days ago

The whole Will Jordan conversation is interesting.


Before the CT team was announced, everybody and his neighbour was saying that Jordan should be moved to FB to give him more space so that his speed and flair can be properly used, etc.


One game later, against a side that is notoriously physical with a near-impenetrable defense and the "Jordan for FB" chorus has been replaced by the "Back to Wing" brigade.


Really? After a single game? Was he that bad?


In 2016, Allister Coetzee had the audacity to move PSdT from his established lock position to flank. We lost rather badly against England. It included a try by the England no. 9 where PSdT was badly shown up. Needless to say, every critic p*ssed on Coetzee from a dizzy height (tbh, he was a pretty bad coach...), specifically about playing PSdT out of position.


And in 2019 PSdt had established himself as the premier blindside in the world and was duly named the Rugby World Player of the Year, still "out of position".


Maybe Jordan should get another chance?

G
GP 18 days ago

The loose forwards should feature Blackadder at 6, Cane at 7, Sititi at 8.

Savea Is a bench massive impact player that covers 7 or 8 based on what does on the day. He cones on like Marx and Kwagga Smith with 30 minutes to go to completely close out the game.

Clarke is 11, Will Jordan is 14. Jordie Barrett is our best 15 he showed that in 2021.

ALB or Quinn Tupaea at 12 and Proctor at 13.

Ratima starts at 9 (until Roigard is available)

Harry Plumber or BB at 10.

Bench includes Tosi, Williams, Bell, Reiko, Darry, Jacobson and Hotham

I
IS 18 days ago

You wouldn't have bb at 10 also smack is a good 10 that stats prove that to be true our problem has been when bb has co e on in 10 and the attack stops dead Sr isn't using dmac to his full potential and needs to talk to Clayton Clayton is using a game plan that destroys rge quick rush defense

C
CO 18 days ago

I agree with the changes in exactly that manner. Jordan however I think stats will show that he doesn't do well against the other top five sides as he lacks physicality so would have Telea on the right. It's time to start looking at Payton Spencer and Zarn Sullivan at fullback, two big fullbacks and Spencer with an outstanding pedigree.

I
IS 18 days ago

Tekea has been shocking I don't want him on the field faraway or Nani should be there

B
Bruiser 18 days ago

Dull bench. Akhai in for Cane. Blackadder is not a long termer. Dont need Plummer if you have BB and DMac. Bring a playmaker in like Proctor or someone like AJ Lam who can make easy metres. Hotham/Cam/Ratima...only impact TJP provides is pissing the ref off

T
Thomas K 18 days ago

Yeah, we need a massive ball carrier at 12. Would be good to see clark or Aumua used there.

F
Forward pass 18 days ago

Who is Ahkai? I disagree tho as Cane has owned the ruck which has allowed Savea to play his power game far more efficiently.

G
GP 18 days ago

I agree with authors forward selections. Ethan Blackadder must be brought back in. He was fantastic in the first South African test, Wallace Sititi in the second. Both should start. But I disagree with backs. Will Jordan should stay at fullback, he has been brilliant for the Crusaders in that position. It was not his fault that the game did not come his way a couple of weeks ago.Beauden impact off the bench.

C
CO 18 days ago

Supers not international footy . Beating up on Manu, Highlanders and OZ sides isn't the ultimate guide of whether you can make it against the top sides. I think Jordan's now 27 and when the games loose and weak sides give him space he's looked enticing but a better gauge is against the Boks who are the best and toughest, tightest defence. Simple truth is Jordan was invisible in the RWC final and I predicted it, the Allblacks should've picked the power winger that went offshore. Jordan cannot do what Beauden can, Beauden is an outstanding defensive fullback that plays in the pocket at first receiver, he's been international player of the year twice for good reason. He's getting on but is a big game player, super fit and a ten when needed so in a squad far more valuable than Jordan. It's time for Beauden to mentor the next line of talent at fullback, guys in their early twenties. Jordan's been a vital part of the Boks being ascendant in the past four matches, he just doesn't seem to handle the physicality and lots of people are noticing. He's already proved last year in Dunedin and now in Cape town that he's not our next fullback

F
Forward pass 18 days ago

Sorry but Jordans skill set isnt up to the 15 position in test rugby. His kicking game isnt that of a test 15 and his play making ability does not exist. When you have a winger who scores at a try a test why change that to weaken the team.

C
CR 18 days ago

Should've Would've Could've 😓

Z
Zoons 18 days ago

Well Let's start at the top, maybe we need to look at what choices the coach is making? are they the right choices for the right game or is he just winging it? ask yourself? I think he's winging it, given we lost the first game against the Pumas at home when we shouldn't have, but we did.

Won the 2nd which was a clean up, then we lost the next 2 games to the Boks when we should have won the first game? again we didn't? but it dont help when where also playing the Ref as well in both those games? Now we've got the Wallabies, and who knows where these 2 games might take us?? well, we will just have to see won't we. I think Aumua should be starter hooker and Cody bought on 5mins into the second half, Dagroot and Lomax, Darry and Jacobson? Blackadder at 6 and Savea at 7 and satiti at 8 Cortez starting 9

BB at 10 ALB at 12 Proctor at 13 Jordan right wing CC at left wing if fit enough to play otherwise Telea an JB Full back. That's my pick for the team. We should win both games.

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