'We made so many dumb errors': The All Blacks in the firing line following shock Bledisloe Cup thumping
The All Blacks could make shock front row changes after getting beaten up by the Wallabies in Perth.
That’s the call from former coach John Hart, who said the established All Black props failed to meet their new job description in the massive defeat to the Wallabies.
Hart also added that veteran All Black Ben Smith doesn’t have the electricity at fullback to replace Beauden Barrett in the 15 jersey.
If Hart is right then legendary All Black World Cup-winning tighthead Owen Franks could be in the gun, along with his Crusaders partner Joe Moody.
Hart says the All Black will get back on track if they can win the collisions, but told Radio Sport that starting props Franks and Moody failed in their new mission.
And there are startling statistics which back Hart up.
Moody made just one carry, which is one more than Franks made, while replacements Atu Moli and Angus Ta’avao made five each.
In stark contrast, Wallaby tighthead Allan Alaalatoa made an incredible 12 runs, and Scott Sio an impressive eight as Australia dominated possession. Replacement Taniela Tupou made eight, and James Slipper one.
“I thought we were outplayed physically we made to many mistakes, let Australia in game, their physicality was the difference,” Hart said.
“The All Blacks need to win the physical battle, need to win the collisions, need to get the ball going forwards and certainly need to eliminate errors.
“We lost the physical battle. We were on the back foot, they were on the front foot.
“Steve [Hansen] said he was looking more from his props…I thought on Saturday night we saw eight Australian forwards with the capacity to carry the ball and make inroads into the defence. You didn’t see many ball carrying All Black forwards.
“There was a lot of pressure on the props this week to carry the ball – it didn’t happen they do have to have props carrying the ball saw Australian props carrying the ball but not ours.
“Maybe we need to change in terms of [props] we start and finish with.”
Hart said the All Blacks would concentrate on the basics this week, and if the forwards could do the job then the backs would flow. But they had also been beaten up front by the Springboks.
He said the controversial Richie Mo’unga/Beauden Barrett combination was not getting a fair chance because the forwards were getting smashed. Barrett provided a spark in the No 15 jersey which Smith would now struggle to emulate.
Since the start of 2018, Smith has started 15 tests, six at fullback and nine on the wing.
“The Australians came out firing and let’s give credit to them,” he said.
“They played very, very well, it’s the fittest Australian side I’ve seen in years. They went the distance physically and mentally.
“Nic White, who hasn’t been a big name in rugby, had an outstanding game because he was given quality ball and could manipulate the defence. All of a sudden their backs had the space.
“The electricity that Beauden Barrett provides at 15 would be lacking in Ben Smith, so you can’t quite get the same thing,” he added.
“Damian McKenzie’s injury is a major injury for the All Blacks in terms of the game they were playing and they’re trying now to compliment that and put something else in place that continues to have that electricity from the back.”
“But it all goes back to the quality of the ball. We made so many dumb errors, gave away so many penalties so we gave away field position.”
This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and was republished here with permission.
The Bill Ellis Podcast:
Comments on RugbyPass
Hi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
3 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
3 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to comments