The parked strategy that could help breathe life back into the All Blacks' attack
Following Argentina’s historic 25-15 win over the All Blacks in Syndey on Saturday, questions have been raised why the Ian Foster-coached side didn’t switch to a secondary game plan after their attack was so expertly snuffed out by the Argentinian defence. Perhaps the strategy that the All Blacks needed to employ, however, was one that they’d used to great effect against the Wallabies just two weeks prior.
While New Zealand managed two wins and draw from their opening three matches against Australia this year, the wheels have fallen off in the past two weeks. In their final game with the Wallabies, the All Blacks fell 24-22 after both sides were reduced to 14 men for dangerous tackle. Now, for the second week in a row, the All Blacks have failed to build any ascendancy over their opposition.
Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has identified one tactic that wasn’t especially prevalent on Saturday that has worked so well for the side this year.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Parsons asked why Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga parked the attacking kicking game that helped unlock the Wallabies defence during their four-match Bledisloe Cup series.
“We had such a great balance of our attack and our attacking kicking was just not there on the weekend,” Parsons said.
“Argentina were bringing great line speed – [halfback Tomas] Cubeli was in the line a lot defensively for Argentina – and we didn’t quite change our strategy. We did a few attacking kicks in the second half but the damage had sort of been done and they’d gained in confidence.
“I think that was the biggest area of our game that we didn’t see, those little chip kicks that led to such great tries against the Wallabies a couple of weeks ago and on this occasion, we saw it late in the game but it just wasn’t there. We didn’t adjust to the pictures that were in front of us defensively.”
Parsons noted that following the match, Foster confirmed that the All Blacks hadn’t parked the offensive kicking strategy – but that didn’t explain why Mo’unga and co were reluctant to put boot to ball when challenging the Argentinian defence.
“[The All Blacks] kicked 17 times on the weekend,” revealed Parsons. “Their average now [for the year] after the game is 22. So it must have been about 24 before that.
“It’s a lot less kicks against Argentina. Clearly, the kicks they did do weren’t as effective. There were a couple of really good contestestables from Aaron Smith but outside of that, our contests in our attacking kick game just wasn’t there. That’s just a decision thing. That’s communication.
“The week before, there’s a lot of plaudits to Richie and Beaudie but a lot of that is guys around them making the calls for those kicks as well. Maybe those connections weren’t quite there on the weekend.”
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Still, Parsons was quick to point out that the All Blacks were under the pump throughout the match, which made it difficult to implement their attacking kicking game. They also struggled to maintain their discipline, unlike their opposition.
“We obviously had that breakdown inaccuracy,” Parsons said. “You can’t really get your attacking kicking game and those things flowing if you’re not on the front foot or you can’t build phases. You want to have two or three phases to see what the D is doing, then make those decisions. But through inaccurate cleans or incorrect entry, every time we started getting some momentum, we were penalised. On the back of that, a lot of those penalties led to three points.
“We’ve played the Wallabies, who’ve maybe been going to the corner [after winning penalties]. We know Hodge can kick long penalties but I mean, [Argentina] took their points when they were on offer, they even dropped in for a droppie early. To me, that said they want scoreboard pressure.”
While it’s Argentina’s free-flowing play that has always made them an attractive and exciting team to watch, Parsons was impressed by Los Pumas’ disciplined approach on Saturday.
“The Argies have been known for their offload game and they made four offloads. So they came with a game plan that was so disciplined and strict and they stuck to it. They were just relentless in it. I’d say they’re a team of 20 offloads normally. Four offloads compared to the All Blacks’ nine… That discipline in their attack. It wasn’t helter-skelter attack or anything, it was a lot of exiting, playing the territory game, but I think we were expecting a lot more offloads and that is the biggest thing.
“They had four turnovers conceded. We’re the best team at scoring tries off turnovers and they just gave us nothing to live off. Whereas we conceded 14 turnovers. It’s normally the other way around for us.
“Their discipline and their attacking game plan was a big part of winning. Their defence was amazing and ruthless, but they were really ruthless and disciplined in their game plan in attack.”
Argentina have three games left to play in the Tri-Nations and are now the only undefeated side in the competition. They’ll face Australia this coming Saturday while New Zealand have an extra week to lick their wounds and recover from their latest loss.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments