'Weren't at our best': What the ABs learnt throughout a 'bumpy' 2022 season

International rugby isn’t what it used to be, and the All Blacks may have learnt that the hard throughout a “gruelling” campaign last year.

For a team that expects success very time they run out onto the field, the All Blacks’ start to their 2022 season was nothing short of uncharacteristic.

While they began their season with an emphatic 42-19 win over Ireland at the fortress that is Eden Park, the men in black lost their next two matches against the Irish.

Not only did it mark their first ever loss to Ireland in New Zealand, but the All Blacks had also lost the series.

With the World Cup just around the corner, these results were nothing short of disastrous.

Star utility Will Jordan has opened up about that historic series loss at home against Ireland, as he revealed what the All Blacks learnt about the “gruelling beast” that is Test rugby.

“It was a bit of a bumpy year, particularly focusing on the All Black kind of stuff,” Jordan told SENZ Breakfast.

“I think what you learned is that, particularly Test footy is a bit of a gruelling beast and you’ve got to be on your game week-to-week.

“I think that’s something we particularly took out of that Irish series was (that) we probably weren’t at our best for that three-match series and kind of got found out.”

But as the year went on, the All Blacks improved.

New Zealand the Freedom Cup, Bledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship throughout a season which was still heavily scrutinised by their passionate fanbase.

The All Blacks finished their season on a seven test unbeaten, which was somewhat marred by a stunning draw against England at Twickenham.

“So the importance of preparation and making sure that we’re nailing our kind of little details and processes throughout the week is really important,” he added.

“I think as much as that, (there’s also) the excitement building into this year around I guess the evenness of Tet footy at the moment and the World Cup coming up, and the opportunity there is to go up to France and just try and do something pretty special up there.

“I know the boys built pretty well towards the back end of the year and that’s sort of the momentum we’re trying to push forward with this coming year.”

This year’s Rugby World Cup in France is set to get underway in about seven months, with the All Blacks to open the tournament against hosts France.